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Toning, Chanting, and the Power of the Voice

Shamans use songs, chants, and harmonic toning or chanting. The power of the voice is well known to healers, priests, and magic-wielders of all sorts, but some cultures use it especially effectively.

Toning

There at least two forms of toning that can be used for healing. One uses specific notes, sounded and held for perhaps 30 seconds, without harmonics, as in European classical singing. The other, older toning style takes full advantage of harmonics, as in Mongolian throat-singing. For books on toning, see Other Resources.

In recent years, artists such as David Hykes and his harmonic choir have developed their own style, somewhere in between the Western and Eastern toning styles. For a list of recommended recordings of harmonic toning, see Other Resources.

Chanting

Shamans sometimes combine harmonic toning with chanting or singing, as in Mongolia, Tuva, and parts of Siberia. Harmonic chanting can also be used as Tibetan Buddhist monks do in chanting mantras and Buddhist hymns. Anyone who has experienced the energy of Tibetan monks chanting in the power voice of throat-singing knows how powerful it can be. For a list of recommended recordings, see Other Resources.

Information on chanting coming soon!

Singing

Traditional cultures recognize the healing power of the singing voice. Indigenous shamans and other healers in many cultures use it very effectively.

Among the Navajo (Dine) of the American Southwest, traditional healers called singers memorize long healing song cycles that can last for days. A healing session, called a sing, requires not only the singer and the patient. It also requires the participation of the patient's extended family. Sadly some of the old song cyles are being lost as modern life makes week-long ceremonies impractical for many people.

Information on singing for healing coming soon!

Harmonics

Harmonics can be heard in the music of many traditional cultures, more pronounced in some types of music than in others. The healing power of harmonics is not well understood by modern science, but buy listening carefully to recordings, you can feel some of the energy. For a list of recommended recordings, see Other Resources.

More information on harnmonics coming soon!

Using the Voice for Healing

Information on using the voice for healing coming soon!

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