💝 Song is not a luxury, but a necessary way of being in the world. Somehow we have been fooled into thinking that song is entertainment, something we can do without, like dessert. But to give voice to what lives inside is what keeps all things possible. In truth the minute we arrive we are born singing, though it is often mistaken for crying. Yet without this deep reflex, the lungs won't work and the lifelong exchange between inner and outer can't begin. Such a simple secret: by letting things out, we also let things in. So if you're cut off, in pain, estranged, numb - sing, give voice to anything. It needn't sound pretty. Simply, bravely, open despite the difficulty, and let what is in out, and what is out in. Sing and your life will continue.
~ Mark Nepo
from The Book Of Awakening
The urge to sing - and to share the experience with others - is in all of us. Singing, like laughter, play, sunshine, the outdoors and exercise, helps maintain our well-being and happiness.
Singing is FUNDAMENTAL to human-ness. As individuals, regular singing benefits us physically and emotionally.
Here are SOME of the benefits:
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It improves breathing & circulation, sending more oxygen to the brain and body, resulting in better mental acuity.
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It opens our sinuses, strengthens our immune system, and improves our balance & posture.
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It improves our self esteem and relieves anxiety.
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Singing energizes us physically and emotionally and lowers our pain & stress levels.
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Singing helps us more easily grieve losses in our lives and it releases emotional blocks.
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Learning new songs develops our ability to multi-task and improves our listening skills.
The greatest benefits from singing come when we sing with others.
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Group singing promotes bonding, leading to greater understanding and empathy.
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Our hearts literally beat as one when we sing together.
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Working together on a song - learning the individual partsand then hearing it all come together - can be indescribably uplifting and calming at once.
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Together we experience the joyful effects of creating something so much larger than ourselves as our collective voices create an awe-inspiring sound.