Healing Power of Melodic Mantra

“Voice as a tool for felt safety” taken from teachings of Allison Davies

Music supports our Brain

Our brain responds to music. Our whole brain lights up when we:

• Make music

• Listen to music

• Replay music in our mind

When we feel safe and in control…our brain, body, nervous system and emotional state relaxes. Don't need an instrument or training to be “musical”. We are inherently musical.

Our Voice regulates our Nervous System

We need to allow our brain to hear our voice by reading and singing out aloud. Our brain knows our voice and it feels safe and in control by hearing it. Even if we don't like the sound of our voice, our brain recognises it and feels safe. Sound travels to the ear and via our sensory receptors to the brain. Our brain knows our own voice as a safe voice…especially if you talk about topics you know well. You don't have to sing in tune or sound good. A felt sense of safety resets our nervous system and brings us out of stress response.

Internal vibration of vocal cords

• Gargling humming and singing activates the vagus nerve and results in feelings of safety. 

• Whistling is controlled breath and activates the diaphragm. Our ancestors used to whistle, hum & express themselves musically to regulate their nervous systems.

Lullaby voice and actions

Anything we would do for a baby to create safety, we can do for ourselves. This is our innate wisdom to regulate and balance ourselves. We naturally use a higher and softer voice with slower and longer sounds when we talk to children. Low pitch sounds feel inherently unsafe.

• Soft voice, slow and gentle whispery tone

• Repetition of key words

• Closeness, bodily cues, gestures and facial expressions

• Motherese language/prosody with slightly higher pitched voice

• Safe and grounding voice

Singing to ourselves intimately

Personal expression of music as soft and intimate singing is an extremely healing and trauma informed way to deeply experience ourselves. Your voice is you. It belongs to no one else, and developing a relationship with your own voice through projecting it, hearing it, and relishing in it, is a powerful way to re-empower yourself. Allows us to sing without shame or judgement. Allows us to express ourselves musically and helps us to feel safe and creates a sense of felt safety.

Singing and voicework

• Singing is a form of controlled breath with extended exhale

• Brain listens and responds to your voice

• Inner vibration and movement regulates vagus nerve

• Longer exhale improves inhalation technique

• Increases gas transfer to oxygenate the blood

Releasing emotions

Melody activates and supports the limbic system, so that emotional energy can flow and move through our system. All human emotions need to move and melody can make them move. Melodic mantra are repetitive chants or affirmations. 

• Repetition provides predictability which promotes felt safety. Repetition is KEY for feeling safe.

• Mantra should be simple and the melody should make sense.

• Movie soundtracks that are melodic can take us on an emotional journey.

Rhythmic movement to create a physical anchor

• Repetitive predictable movement. Simpler the better like clapping and tapping.

• Walking, jogging, rebounding, skipping, gentle swaying and rocking

• Walking is rhythmic and soothing - steps are same and tempo is constant

• Slow rhythm at resting heart rate of 60bpm. Slow restful movement is soothing…slows heart beat and breathing and activates relaxation response

• Cross the midline to activate and balance both sides of body and brain 

• Tap body when singing melodic mantra like a lullaby using a heart beat pulse

Music playlists

• Create predictability when you listen in order and know which song comes next.

• Gives control and safety to the brain. 

• Melodic music activates different emotions. Create playlists for different needs. 

• Once the sound stops the music continues in body, brain and breath. Become aware how the music feels in your body.