NOT BORING CHATS

are associated with a relaxed and alert mind.

Beta Waves (12-30 Hz): Beta waves are linked to active thinking, concentration, and alertness. They are dominant during normal waking consciousness and cognitive tasks.

Gamma Waves (30-100 Hz): Gamma waves are the fastest brainwaves and are associated with heightened perception, focus, and cognitive processing. They are often linked to states of deep concentration and heightened awareness.

When exposed to the sounds of gong baths, the brain tends to synchronize with the rhythm and frequency of the sound waves. This phenomenon is known as brainwave entrainment. The gong sounds typically have a wide range of frequencies, including low-frequency components that resonate with the slower brainwave frequencies, such as delta and theta waves.

During a gong bath, the rhythmic and repetitive sounds of the gongs can induce a state of deep relaxation and help calm the mind. This can lead to a shift in brainwave activity towards slower frequencies like theta waves. When the brain synchronizes with the lower-frequency sounds, it causes the brain, heart and respiratory rates to slow down and increase the release of melatonin, endorphin and dopamine chemicals that are linked to feelings of relaxation and expanded mental clarity.

NB: Are there certain frequencies that aid relaxation more than others? We have all heard of the alleged benefits of 432 HZ, and some lower frequencies (8-13 and 14 -30) have been linked to decreased anxiety and increased concentration, what do you think is going on in the brain with these frequencies?

KR: I can’t comment on the 432Hz frequency as the data is conflicting and my experience limited. As per the lower frequencies, just like I mentioned earlier, both scientific data and my own experience indicate that Alpha and Theta frequencies not only relax us, but also have thera-peutic benefits. As a Theta Healing Practitioner I can assure you that entering this frequency allows you to improve focus and creativity as well as access early childhood memories and heal traumas. Entering Theta brainwaves, which is a dream-like state, which everyone experiences daily when we wake up and fall asleep, allows to access our subconscious mind. Thanks to that it is possible to have profound thera- peutic effects in a timespan of a session or two.

NB: If I’m a stressed-out individual, have recognised that fact and realised I need to act in some way, what should I do first?

KR: Create and implement your wellbeing strategy. Wellbeing is a balance between stressors, challenges and daily life problems and the recourses we have to balance the stressors out. A good strategy will be like a tailor-made suit, highly suited for you, making you feel at your best. I avoid giving generic advice, which is widely available anyway, as I believe that the best and fastest results are obtained when we look into two factors: the root of the problem that is causing your stress, and your lifestyle.

NB: If we agree that listening to music can help with relaxation and stress management, do you think that better quality playback and increased fidelity give better results? I ask this as I have an associate who has worked in China with people in catatonic states and believes that music played through high-end systems has a better effect that music played on lower quality systems. Can this be translated to more workday situations?

KR: I couldn’t agree more. There is much research data indicating that lower quality audio systems have a negative effect on human function. For example a recent research done by EPOS in Denmark indicated that poor audio systems impacts productivity of workers in a negative way, as their brains have to work 35% harder in order to process information. “Poor audio causes our brains to work harder to interpret information and experience 35% more effort listening. The brain can become much slower to respond to sound as it finds it trickier to switch between stimuli.”

NB: Is music in the workplace a good thing or a distraction?

KR: It depends on several factors. People differ in their preference to having music while they are working, not to mention the level of sound and type of music. Some people will find music relaxing and helps them to focus, others terribly distracting. In order to look after wellbeing of workers and reduce stress levels in the workplace I would recommend creating a chill out room with relaxation music playing, preferably through a good quality audio system.

NB: Without a doubt there are going to be people reading this interview that will level Gong Baths and the like as hippy-dippy nonsense. How would you address these people?

KR: Dear skeptic, congratulations on reading the entire interview. The fact that you reached this far indi-cates that you are intrigued by the topic. You will be pleased to know that I have been there as well. As much as I enjoyed the relaxing vibes of gong baths, I was skeptical about the healing properties of gongs. There is enough science based evidence to convince any skeptic, that gong baths have a profound positive effect on our health, besides that the best way is to simply have a first hand experience and feel it in your bones.