Music for Massage  Pg. 5

Overtones are now attracting a great deal of attention as an important factor in transmitting the healing power of music. Like the tambura in Indian raga music, the monochorde produces a drone effect that attunes you to "the field of infinite possibilities." The monochorde's drone tone, however, is unlike any other you've ever heard.

"It seems like I have been listening to Steven Halpern while teaching massage ever since I joined the faculty here. I remember when I first played his music while giving a treatment - it was like a revelation - it immediately eased my client into a state of deep relaxation. In a matter of moments, her tension was virtually gone!

His music relaxes the body, opens the heart, and soothes the soul.

Steven Halpern's music immediately creates a healing atmosphere that is truly ideal for massage. It soothes a person's inner being, while I am massaging their physical being. His music helps me attune with my client's breathing rhythms - it's as if we actually share the same breath. When I play Halpern, my clients say 'the music is absolutely perfect,' which is what I like to hear.

While my clients relax, I become energized - even after back-to-back sessions!

The wonderful thing is, his music is good for my own health too. I notice that after a series of back-to-back sessions, I don't feel as tired as I would have normally otherwise. Instead, I still have lots of energy, even at the end of a long day. It's the perfect way to complement each session that I do."
– Gretchen Spiro - faculty member, The Boulder School of Massage Therapy.


 

A Note from Steven on Music and Massage

In 1969, shortly after I had arrived in California, I received my first "official" massage. I recall vividly the music my masseur used; it was a classical "masterpiece" that featured violins and oboes. The sounds really grated on my nerves, put me on edge and made me feel very uncomfortable. It really defeated the whole purpose of getting a massage.

When I mentioned this, the massuse challenged me, "If you don't like what I'm playing, why don't you compose some of your own?"

Just several weeks before, I had experienced an intuitive breakthrough and had begun to compose a new form of music for meditation and yoga. Of course it could also be ideal for massage. There was a major problem, though: I was the only one playing such music, and I couldn't play and get a massage at the same time! Remember, in 1969, cassettes were not generally available, and there were no recording studios where an independent musician like myself could professionally record an album.

The seeds for the INNER PEACE series were planted at that time. I am delighted to say that massage practitioners were some of my very first--and most loyal--customers. I am honored to contribute to their important work.