Harp Therapy
what is harp therapy?
Harp therapy uses the sound of a harp to help people in a variety of ways – from relaxation to working through a past trauma. Music is a universal language that can speak to people in deep and profound ways.
Soon after Julia joined corporate wellbeing specialists The Wellness Movement, the Covid -19 pandemic hit and she changed her sessions so they would work online. She invested in high quality audio equipment, and added spoken relaxation exercises and visualisations to the music to enhance the experience.
A typical ‘Mind Painting’ Harp therapy webinar:
We start with a simple but effective deep relaxation with harp and speech to help participants slow down their busy minds and prepare for the visualisation.
A series of visualisations follow, with just enough speech to create a canvas in the mind for people to paint their own pictures to the sound of the music
The end of the session is agreed in advance from 2 options: a slow, peaceful ending leaving people in a very relaxed and likely sleepy state (for when it is the end of the day and people are safe at home) or a more lively, awakening ending which brings people back to a wide awake consciousness
Either way, the participants end the session feeling refreshed and with a feeling that despite their body staying still, their mind has been travelling and exploring and is full of beautiful images and emotions to be called upon whenever they are needed.
Finally, and optionally, participants may enjoy sharing their experiences with one another on the call.
what are the main benefits of harp therapy?
It reduces stress and has some great physiological benefits, such as relaxed muscle tension, increased oxygenation, lowered blood pressure and slower heart rate. It offers a period of stillness – no matter how busy you are, you stop what you’re doing, so your body and mind can rest and relax. The power of music makes it hard to feel stressed at the same time. It’s a powerful form of self-care.
It’s creative. The visualisation allows your mind to draw on imagination and memory. So despite being relaxed, you’re also using your mind.
It can improve your sleep. Studies have shown that harp music can promote deep sleep.
It can help with pain management and anxiety. In the USA, harp therapy is frequently used in hospitals and hospices. Research has found bedside therapeutic harp music to be beneficial in reducing pain and anxiety (because of the endorphins it produces), as well as stabilising vital signs.
The benefits can last long after the session has ended. The images your mind creates through visualisation remain at the front of your mind, so they are quick and easy to access when you need something to relax you. In lockdown, if you live in a city and can’t visit your favourite landscape like the sea or countryside, then your mind can take you there instead.
Bespoke Sessions
We are able to curate tailor-made sessions to suit the needs of your workforce.
Get in touch for further information, you can also learn more about Julia here.
“”Just what I needed in these times of uncertainly. It has been a week since my session and my mood is still perky and constant. I don’t feel the need to be doing more. I am finding enjoyment in doing one task at a time. When in silence I find myself humming. I am content. This was such a blissful experience.””