Three of the strangest (and most effective) relaxation techniques you'll ever try.

I thought that meditation would never work for me at that time. However, it sounded so intriguing. This exercise has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and each religion includes some version of it, so there must be something in it, I thought. One version simply becomes comfortable, closing its eyes and repeating the same simple word, apparently offering practitioners the joy of complete relaxation and peace of mind. These monks in Tibet looked rather relaxed, and the Dalai Lama always smiled, despite the fact that at that time he lived in exile for almost 40 years.

I never felt calm in my life. Always an anxious child who could not sit in the classroom and felt claustrophobic, if I sat for more than five minutes, the charm of peace has intrigued me since high school. In the mid-twenties, I knew that anxiety and stress had already begun to lose their long years. Migraine. Backache. Hive. Ulcers at the age of 19. Acid reflux. Asthma attacks. Chewing a blanket on my bed while sleeping, until it was crushed (no, I'm not joking). But meditation simply does not cut. Not that I have not tried again and again. My mind simply did not allow me to sit still for more than a few minutes, not to mention taking the thoughts out of my head. I read that reducing stress was important for health, so I kept looking for an answer.

Then came the Internet browsing in relative mainstream in the early to mid-90s. Web browsers such as Netscape allow random users to search for topics and “browse” and browse the web. Then the net seemed to be mostly about email, porn sites, first AOL users, first-generation attempts at corporate advertising, and many, albeit # 39; S say "niche" communities often sell their products on embryonic websites. One of these communities was the New Age crowd. The New Age Movement, the early grip of the Internet, is a "collective collective phenomenon and a spiritual movement of nature that seeks universal truth through the" Unity of Mankind, "practice and environmentalism." (1) They seemed to be discussing energy, collective consciousness, and the interplay on their sites a lot, I noticed.

While I was surfing the Internet, looking for a solution to my relaxation dilemma, I stumbled upon something called a light sound machine. On the product website, on which a new century was clearly written (celestial pictures of stars and planets, people wearing glasses with a space glass and products with flashing lights and lots of buttons) advertised a product that promised to leap over the years of practice required by meditation and quickly put user in a completely relaxed or "altered" state in which someone really feels that they are swimming outside their own body. Concepts of brainwave entrainment, audio-visual stimulation (AVS), Ganzfield, soundscapes and binaural beats were discussed on the website.

Strange, right?

I could not resist. A few minutes later I made my first online purchase in 1996: a lightweight sound machine.

Of course, I could not wait more than ten minutes to use it when it arrived. Inside the box was a metal unit that looked like a 1970s cassette player, headphones, and eye shadows with LED lights inside. I read brief instructions, installed the desired program on the device (“relaxed theta alpha” program for 30 minutes, whatever that means), put on headphones and glasses and click the “Start” button. I heard a faint blow in the headphones and, closing my eyes, saw flashing lights through my eyelids. I tried to breathe deeply from the abdomen (according to the instructions) and contrasted 1-2-3-4 and so on. For about 15 minutes, I was more relaxed than ever in my life. I could not say whether I slept or slept and dreamed.

Too good to be true?

Let Backup: how we can measure the activity in our brains - without all (well, most of them) Science says

Most adults who have completed typical physical examinations in the doctor's office are familiar with the ECG test (ECG). The EKG test, during which the doctor places several electrodes on our bodies, measures the electrical activity of the heart, can detect abnormal rhythms or damage to the heart muscle. Assuming that measuring the electrical activity of the heart can measure the state of the heart, the focus is on health care; ECG test is central in cardiology.

Our brains produce electrical activity, which can also be measured, although most people have not passed the brain activity test, known as EEG (except for patients with epilepsy, seizure, or brain). Like EKG, electrodes are used that are placed on the scalp with a conductive substance (for example, gel) to measure electrical activity resulting from currents that reflect activity in our brain (I did not include a discussion of standard locations for measuring different levels of activity here).

This activity can be shown graphically as waves with a certain “speed,” known as frequency. (2) As you can guess, the less activity in our brain (for example, when we are drowsy), the slower the waves are generated; the more activity (for example, when we worry), the faster the waves. Our brains work with greater intensity, creating more electrical activity, and we can measure this with EEG. In fact, the EEG test was first used in humans as early as 1920. The following list shows the perceived emotional state associated with a particular frequency and the name of the associated wave pattern.

A state of brain activity that can be displayed as waves on a computer screen. EEG measured

Wave type ---- Frequency (Hz) ----- Emotional state

Delta ----- up to 3 ----- Slow wave sleep, children; normal condition

Theta ----- 4 - 7 ------ Dreams, mental images, deep meditative states

Alpha ------ 8 - 12 ----- Relaxed awareness, meditative states (while awake)

Beta ---- 12 - 30 ----- Active or busy thinking, anxiety, tension

Gamma ---- Above 30 ------ Hyper-vigilance, higher mental activity

Here, where it is even more interesting.

We can actually move our brain activity — and therefore change our emotional states — to a certain frequency (say, lower, more relaxed) to match the activity of an external stimulus, for example, a repetitive sound or a visual signal, like blinking light with a certain frequency (again, like speed for the purposes of this article).

There is one related auditory phenomenon with which we are all familiar: music. Daniel J. Levitan, in his recent fascinating book, “It's Your Brain in Music,” talks about how music and its many technical components — be it the Beatles, Mozart, Metallica, Aretha Franklin, or Stevie Wonder, among many others — significantly influence complex areas of our brain. (3) We can all relate to listening to a particular song from our past and, suddenly, certain emotions arise. If you enjoy rock music, the listener may feel “pumped up” and fueled by loud, hard beats of music. As music and healing specialist Stephen Helpern explained to me, people used sounds and beats for 25,000 years to change their states of consciousness.

Some relaxation tools allow us to actually target a particular state of emotion.

Thanks to several audio and visual tools, we can actually persuade our brains in a certain emotional state, such as relaxation. As discussed, we achieve this by using repetitive sounds and visual stimuli that are set at a certain frequency, for example, at a “theta” speed. The first way is to simply accomplish this through a concept known as “binaural beats,” a complex auditory phenomenon that occurs in our brains. Binaural beats occur when someone wears heads and tones at slightly different frequencies that play in each ear. However, our brains will mix two different bits into one. If the binaural rhythm is set to a certain frequency, our brain waves will synchronize with these sounds (the technical term is “brain wave infatuation”), a term that initially made me think of science fiction and the haunting Stanley Kubrick film “A Clockwork Orange”). however, binaural beat recordings, which may include nature sounds above them, have been shown to lead to states of relaxation. (4) Using this type of product is as simple as buying a CD and listening to it. s it with the high quality headphones.

Adding strobe lights to binaural beats, we create a light and sound machine, which I originally mentioned, was my entry into the world of relaxation tools. This represents the second of the relaxation tools that I consider in this article. These products, sometimes called mind machines, use audiovisual stimulation (AVS) to achieve various conditions, such as relaxation, attention, and sleep. These include the glasses that the user wears with their eyes closed; the effect remains unchanged through the eyelids and will be extremely uncomfortable if one of the eyes remains open. AVS devices allow the user to select various programs that are focused on emotional or mood states. The studies were conducted on light and sound machines and their positive impact on children with learning disabilities, impulsive behavior and anxiety. (5) It should be noted that flashing lights may not be suitable for everyone. In fact, people with photosensitive epilepsy and other nervous disorders may experience seizures when using such devices (one source notes that one in 10,000 people using such a device may experience an attack using this device).

The third tool to achieve a state of relaxation is not very different from the sound tools mentioned above, but I would like to comment on a famous cancer specialist in Manhattan who uses relaxation tools (along with tips on nutrition, supplements and other wellness modalities) along with the main treatment with cancer patients. Mitchell Gaynor, MD, a cancer specialist and clinical professor of medicine at the Weil Medical College at Cornell University, has been using an “integrative” approach to cancer for 15 years. He discusses this approach in his 2003 book: “The Healing Power of Sound: Recovering from a Life-threatening Disease Using Sound, Voice, and Music.”

Gaynor relaxation option? A metal (or crystal) chalice that has contributed to Buddhist meditation, prayer, and chanting for thousands of years. Circling the bowl with a playing hammer, the bowl creates a rich mixture of harmonic resonances and overtones. Along with simple meditative exercises, the long, buzzing sounds created by the cups can help or activate the meditative state mentioned above. According to written reports, such synchronization of the brain occurs when listening to the sound patterns of the chalices.

Gaynor discusses the stressful properties of singing, but one article notes that “meditation with bowls takes us beyond our own fears. And the patient in the world with himself puts the best fight against cancer. " (6) Because of the popularity of such approaches with patients, as well as the increase in scientific research that demonstrates the health benefits of anti-stress approaches, many cancer programs have included methods and tools that Dr. Geinor has been using for over 15 years.

Some product recommendations

In this section, I recommend that you consider several products. For each of the three examples, I offer the “high-end” and “bargain” options and information on where to buy them. I personally used these products and, in some cases, met or interviewed suppliers. I do not receive commissions from the sale of products in connection with this article; I just took advantage and enjoyed using them. In addition, they are not the only products available in these categories. The Internet allows us to conduct product research and comparisons like never before. Disclaimer: all these products (and any meditative experience) can create strong emotions, evoke long-forgotten memories and, as a rule, annoy someone who has experienced such a diverse experience for the first time. I suggest you work with a medical professional who understands such products and conducts extensive research on any of the products you are considering when purchasing (see the various sites below for links).
Binaural bits

Robert Monroe began researching the effects of sound on states of consciousness as early as the 1950s, during a successful career in the broadcasting business. Monroe Products has released Hemi-Sync (R) audio products, and its predecessors have been doing it since the early 1960s. Monroe also started a non-profit institute in 1985, which provides numerous educational programs outside the site. Product recommendation. Monroe Products Introductory CD: Gateway Experience: Wave I - Discovery This product covers many topics. Price: $ 99.

Option deal: go to iTunes and buy one track for $ 0.99 from the album White Entisement of Waterfall. Take a look at the brainwave diagram above the track selection that sounds right for you, based on the state of relaxation you want to achieve. You can also purchase the entire album for $ 8.00.

Products Light-Sound Machine (AVS)

David Siver of Mind Alive has been developing AVS products since 1984. Based in Alberta, Canada, Dave and his team run a variety of AVS technology training and education programs. He also conducted extensive published studies on the effectiveness of AVS in the treatment of many conditions, such as ADD / ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, and others. I believe that Dave Siver was the man who made the most extensive research efforts to introduce light sound technology into basic healthcare. Product recommendation. DAVID PALTM, an easy-to-use and small but comprehensive AVS device. Price: $ 260 plus shipping.

Option deals: MindPlace & Sirius Light and Sound Machine. MindPlace has been with AVS for almost 20 years. Small and compact, this product is a great and economical way to start your AVS relaxation program. Price: about $ 99 plus shipping. Check online for the best price.

My recommendation is that you do research to see if you can attend a group session in your area. Some yoga studios, for example, hold singing groups. (Drum circles are another option, as they are associated with repetitive beats and focused attention.) You will have a lot of fun in any of the events. You can pick up singing from literally hundreds of providers on the Internet. Prices range from less than $ 50 to over a hundred dollars to over $ 1,000, depending on the materials used or antiques from Tibet.