If you're a mother to be, what do you think is the best music to play while giving birth?

If you've read some of the same newspaper or magazine articles as I have, you might choose loud, pounding rock music. For example, "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen.

The idea, of course, is that you can synchronize the squeezing of your pelvic muscles in rhythmical contraction. And the loud volume would make it easier to make your own loud sounds.

And you'd be right--up to a point.

My next blog entry offers you another perspective.

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007  

About 20 years ago, I was honored to present my work to the annual conference of the International Pre-and Perinatal Psychology Association in New York City.

I had been invited by Dr. Thomas Verny, whose international bestseller "The Secret Life of the Unborn Child" had revolutionized the field.

He had found, like many others, that there was a viable alternative to playing loud rock music while giving birth. In fact, for the well-being of the newborn, playing music that provide a nurturing field of sound, like the liquid and flowing music that I compose, might be much better.

One of the keynote speakers expanded upon the breakthroughs featured in Dr. Verny's book, which demonstrated that babies are much more aware of their world than we ever imagined.

One researcher did something no one else ever had. He asked the babies themselves.

My next post may really surprise you.

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007  

Dr. David Chamberlain presented his research that contradicted a prevailing misconception (pun intended) about using rock music during labor. He asked kids as soon as they could speak--in many cases, their memories hadn't faded away yet. And what they told him was: "Loud, pounding music hurts and frightens them."

Think about it. Their nervous systems have not built up any filters yet. Their little bodies are much more sensitive to stimulation of all the senses, especially sound and light. That's why you may want to consider your baby's needs as well as your own.

Over the last 30 years, I've received many letters from mothers who confirmed that the kind of music they played during birthing and at home made a significant difference in the behavior and well-being of their offspring. Three of the CDs they most highly recommended are:

Over the years, many people have asked me how healing and relaxing music is relevant to Valentine's Day. In other words, can this genre of music really have a positive effect on the heart and other vital organs?

The answer may surprise you.

One of the fundamental characteristics of evoking one's relaxation was popularized by Dr. Herbert Benson in his landmark book, "The Relaxation Response." He detailed physiological research that documented that an immediate benefit of achieving a relaxed state was enhancing blood flow throughout the body.

The first beneficiaries are the heart and brain. But think about it.

Biofeedback studies proved that individuals can use relaxation techniques to warm up cold extremities, like fingers and toes.

I know what you're thinking. And you're right.

My next post will offer more specifics.

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007  

Indeed, one of the easiest ways to improve circulation to the organs most obviously involved in romantic activity is to become more relaxed. This has proven to be of immense benefit to many men I know, and many that I do not know, but have received letters and emails from.

They are amazed that they can enhance their performance simply by changing the soundtrack of the music they were using. (Many kinds of music create more of a stress reaction than most people realize.)

Their partners, needless to say, were also very thankful.

When you relax, the blood vessels that are constricted by stress become less constricted, thereby allowing blood to flow more freely. Your body's innate intelligence takes over from there.

Is music more powerful than the little blue pill? Doubtful. But if you're looking for a non-drug alternative, you may want to consider fine-tuning the music you listen to with your lover, on Valentine's Day or throughout the year.

Listen to samples from my album Music for Lovers, Vol. 1 for an excellent example: http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/albumdetail.asp?pid=74

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007  

In the prior postings, I discussed some soundtrack considerations. Obviously, you probably already have some of the more obvious choices, such as "Let's Get it On" and other songs with words. The beauty of using instrumental music is that if the words aren't quite right for your situation, those songs might set up a cognitive dissonance.

For instance, if the lyrics involve marriage and being together for the rest of your lives, and you both know that you're involved in a more 'right for right now' relationship, that can be awkward.

But it's not enough just to suggest instrumental music. Some of the rhythms used on many recordings are stressful in and of themselves. Dr. John Diamond documented this in his landmark book, "You're Body Doesn't Lie" about the same time as I wrote about this from a musician's viewpoint. It involves the fact that certain rhythms create stress because they are opposite to the natural beat of the heart.

For instance, the rhythms I use on my album, Music For Lovers - Volume 2 (The Rhythm Method) http://www.innerpeacemusic.com/albumdetail.asp?pid=53 uses rhythms that are in sync with the natural patterns of the body.

So pay attention to what you're feeling, and how you're breathing, when you listen to the music with the one you love. The vibe you save may be your own!

Until next time, Stay Tuned!

Harmoniously Yours ™

Steven Halpern © 2007