what are Binaural Beats and why I use them in practice.

Our brain fluctuates between 5 different waves.

1. Gamma waves Frequency: 32 – 100 Hz

Associated state: Heightened perception, learning, problem-solving tasks

have been equated to ‘heightened perception’, or a ‘peak mental state’ when there is simultaneous processing of information from different parts of the brain. Gamma brainwaves have been observed to be much stronger and more regularly observed in very long-term meditators including Buddhist Monks.

2. Beta Waves Frequency: 13-32 Hz

State: Alert, normal alert consciousness, active thinking

For example:

  • Active conversation

  • Making decisions

  • Solving a problem

  • Focusing on a task

  • Learning a new concept

3. Alpha Waves

  • Frequency: 8-13 Hz

  • State: Physically and mentally relaxed

For Example

  • Yoga

  • Just before falling asleep

  • Being creative and artistic

4. Theta Waves 

  • Frequency: 4-8 Hz

  • State: Creativity, insight, dreams, reduced consciousness

For Example

  • Deep meditation

  • Daydreaming

Research has also shown a positive association of theta waves with memory, creativity and psychological well-being.

5. Delta Waves

  • Frequency: 0.5-4 Hz

  • State: Sleep, dreaming

When you hear two tones, one in each ear, that are slightly different in frequency, your brain processes a beat at the difference of the frequencies. This is called a binaural beat.

Binaural beats are considered auditory illusions. For a binaural beat to work, the two tones have to have frequencies less than 1000 Hz, and the difference between the two tones can’t be more than 30 Hz. The tones also have to be listened to separately, one through each ear. Binaural beats have been explored in music and are sometimes used to help tune instruments, such as pianos and organs. More recently, they have been connected to potential health benefits and mind-body connection.  It’s important to remember, though, that brainwaves are not the source or the cause of brain states, or of our experiences of our own minds – they’re just some of the detectable reflections of the complex processes in the brain that produce our experience of being, thinking, and perceiving.

Binaural beats are claimed to induce the same mental state associated with a meditation practice, but much more quickly.

In effect, binaural beats are said to:

-reduce anxiety

-increase focus and concentration

-lower stress

-increase relaxation

-foster positive moods

-promote creativity

-help manage pain

Meditation is the practice of calming the mind and tuning down the number of random thoughts that pass through it. Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, slow down the rate of brain ageing and memory loss, promote emotional health, and lengthen attention span. Practising meditation regularly can be quite difficult, so people have looked to technology for help.

Why I use Binural Beats in practice  

So how do we start to improve our ability to control our brainwaves? These brainwave-changing skills can be learned. Meditation deepens your ability to focus and control your attention

I use binural beats during treatment to create an alpha/theta state in the brain allowing the mind to fully relax and become quiet so the body surrenders and is open to receiving massage ( soft tissue manipulation). The benefits of this allows for the client to let go of resting tension and the problem areas will arise and can be treated accordingly. 

I have decided to encourage the use of headphones during treatment to get the full benefit of the massage experience and will discuss with the  client a way to comfortably and safely communicate and checking in periodically during treatment. We will set an intention to reach alpha or theta brain waves or somewhere in between for best results, doing this will relax the body entirely and Lindsey will be able to massage soft tissue and identify where the tension actually resides. It is in the clients best interest to try the headphones and see what the experience may bring.

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what is meditation?