Healing Power of Music in Peri/menopause with Stewart Selkirk
Do you believe in the magic of music? Have you ever experienced its profound healing power?
Now, imagine if that magic could help you navigate the intricate journey of perimenopause and menopause, soothing your body's aches, easing migraines, and quelling anxiety.
Welcome to a world where music becomes your cure-all, and let me introduce you to Stewart Selkirk, a remarkable creative media producer and music artist.
As women gracefully age, the path of perimenopause and menopause can sometimes resemble a roller coaster, with unexpected twists and turns.
But I have something thrilling to share with you because today, we are diving into the enchanting world of music healing, a place where rhythms and melodies hold the key to relieving your discomfort and rediscovering your vitality.
The host, Miyako Hazama, is on a mission to uncover expert insights to inspire you to manage your physical, mental, and emotional well-being during this transitional stage in life.
Stewart Selkirk: A Music Maestro with a Healing Touch
The story of Stewart Selkirk is a tale of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of music.
As a renowned Creative Media producer and music artist, Stewart's life has been deeply intertwined with the harmonious world of melodies and rhythms.
But his journey into the healing realms of music truly began when life took an unexpected turn.
"I hurt my back badly, and one of the discs in my lower spine, specifically between the fifth lumbar and first sacral vertebrae (L5-S1), got out of place. It was a very difficult scenario to find oneself in, with a level of pain many people have said is akin to childbirth," Stewart shares candidly.
"Music was my passion and uplift, a part of it, a kind of early form of healing. In later years, it became an immensely healing part of my recovery process."
Stewart's personal experience sheds light on the potential of music to act as a powerful balm during challenging times.
His journey mirrors the struggles that many women face during perimenopause and menopause, a phase that often brings its own share of physical and emotional discomfort. But here's where the magic of music enters the picture.
The Healing Symphony of Music
As Stewart delves into the healing aspects of music, he emphasizes the importance of selecting the right tunes for your unique journey. "Music is my life's work," he declares with passion.
"It's within our human nature to be creative, joyous, and celebratory. Music allows us to deeply honor and respect all the things we absorb and experience."
But what exactly makes music healing?
Stewart and Miyako dive deeper into the science behind it. "A large number of studies have been done," Stewart explains.
"The solfeggio frequencies*, for example, have the power to heal and raise consciousness. They form the basis of many ancient sacred music traditions, going back to the 8th century."
*Solfeggio frequencies are a special group of 9 musical tones that are thought to have healing and consciousness-raising effects. These frequencies have been used in ancient sacred music traditions for a very long time, including the famous Gregorian chants and Indian Sanskrit chants.
Miyako added, "It's like resonance, a deep resonance that works for our bodies to change our mood suddenly and shift our focus to a more enlightening state."
Music uniquely connects us with the inner layers of our being, restoring harmony where there may be discord.
Stewart's profound insight is expressed in his words.
"Music is an experience, it's a movement. It moves from silence with respect and reverence, hopefully; otherwise, it is noise, and it's an invitation to really deeply enter into the quality of listening."
The Power of Surrender and Authenticity
One of the key takeaways from Stewart's journey is the concept of surrender.
He believes that music and creativity are about surrendering to the unknown and the pure state of being. It's a process that takes you beyond the confines of your mind, allowing you to tap into a vast and profound experience of consciousness.
Miyako adds, "It's about surrendering to the experience itself, where there's no separation. Music becomes a tool for healing because it helps us focus on what we truly are, which is much bigger than the mental processes in our heads."
Stewart's insights into creativity being a movement of energy within us resonate deeply with Miyako's own experiences.
"There's this response to being in the presence of great beauty or truth," she shares.
"It's like a tingling, a movement of energy in your neck, possibly related to chakras or the nervous system. It's this response to being in the presence of something truly profound."
What's Different about AI-Generated Music
Stewart and Miyako also touch upon the intriguing topic of AI-generated music. While AI has brought remarkable advancements in many fields, it seems that the authenticity of human creation still holds a unique place when it comes to music.
Miyako recalls her own experience with AI-generated music, admitting, "When I created some music for fun using AI, I felt a headache. It was very interesting, but the headache disappeared when I changed to natural sounds, like birdsong."
Stewart chimes in, "That artificial intelligence used in music production is regurgitation. It's the repetition, building, and constructing things out of the already known. Whereas I think music and creativity are about surrendering to the unknown and the pure state of being."
Resonance: Your Path to Healing
As their conversation flows, Miyako emphasizes the importance of resonance when selecting music for healing. "Many women experiencing perimenopause or menopause avoid listening to their bodies," she says.
"But when they learn to connect with their bodies through breathing or music, they experience great joy."
Stewart concurs, sharing, "There's no doubt that the right music can bring back the total connection of your body and mind. It's experiential and a bit like meditation. It's about focusing on what you want to feel at that moment."
Nature's Symphony: A Gift of Healing
Stewart shares, "Obviously, music, in a way, is breaking silence.”
“And with that comes a huge responsibility. And I don't think AI or many other forms of music take that responsibility as seriously, gently, carefully, and thoughtfully as it might be."
Stewart and Miyako's discussion takes an enchanting turn as they explore the healing power of nature's sounds. Stewart shares a heartwarming anecdote about children listening to the sounds of nature with closed eyes.
"There was a whole soundscape experienced by those children by simply being quiet and listening," Stewart recalls.
"They heard something for the first time and were moved to tears, tears of joy, tears of recognition. It's an effect that often happens when you're in the presence of great beauty, wonder, or truth."
The Beautiful Synergy of Music and Humanity
Their conversation takes a philosophical turn as they ponder the nature of creation and the role of creativity in healing.
Stewart reflects, "Is it actually you that's doing the creation, or is it just the nature of creation expressing itself through you? That's where the deep healing takes place."
Miyako adds, "It's about uncovering your true, authentic self, and that's where the beauty lies. Music helps you do just that. It's an expansive journey of self-discovery."
A Musical Journey Awaits
Check out the website of Stewart Selkirk, where you can discover his beautiful music pieces that will let you find relief and reconnect with your true well-being.
➡️ Stewart Selkirk Music: stewartselkirk.com
Further Q&A:
Q: What is the healing frequency for chronic pain?
A: The lowest recognized solfeggio frequency is 174 Hz, also known as the healing frequency. It has the greatest impact on the body and physical health, rather than spiritual or mental health. People mainly experience pain relief from this frequency, although it also reduces stress.
Q: Can music relieve chronic pain?
A: A large number of studies have provided considerable evidence that music can decrease pain levels. Pain relief may occur by the release of endorphins or changes in catecholamine levels or, as patients are distracted by memories away from their pain.
. . .
Looking for natural relief from perimenopause symptoms? Get my FREE Guide and unlock the secrets to reclaiming your vitality!
Grab your FREE Guide here: https://www.miyakohazama.com/free-guide
Resources:
Holden, R., & Holden, J. (2013). Music: A better alternative than pain? The British Journal of General Practice, 63(615), 536. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp13X673748
Ghoname ES, Craig WF, White PF, Ahmed HE, Hamza MA, Gajraj NM, Vakharia AS, Noe CE. The effect of stimulus frequency on the analgesic response to percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with chronic low back pain. Anesth Analg. 1999 Apr;88(4):841-6. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199904000-00030. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10195535/
