Reflections on Music
Date : April 22, 2003
Lori Chandler

During the ten weeks I was unconscious my only memory was
of music. My favorite pieces lovingly selected by my family
and friends. Weeks later, when I started physical therapy
Gloria Gaynors “I will Survive” and the upbeat music of
Sergio Mendes “Brasileiro” distracted me from thinking
about how hard I was working, and the long painful recovery
I had ahead of me.

When Mendes seeped out of my room the entire hospital floor
came alive. I smile when I think of the nurses dancing in
the hall, and my friends shaking their booties around my
bed. My primary nurse is convinced that music played a key
role in my miraculous healing. He rallied to make music
readily available to all patients.

Take a moment to reflect on how music influences you. Have
you ever found yourself driving along enjoying your tunes
when you suddenly notice you are going 85mph? Have you
ever heard a song that had played during a significant time
in your life? A time when you’d just fallen in love, been
rejected, or lost a friend. Suddenly, deep, inexplicably
sad or joyful feelings overwhelm you. Feelings that
transport you back to relive the moment once again. Yes,
mom and dad, you were right, the music we listen to does
have an impact on us.

Not only does music affect your mood, it has been proven to
lower levels of chemicals that relay pain. Researchers
from the University of Salzburg in Austria followed 65
patients that had back surgery. They found patients who
listened to music had pain levels much lower than those who
did not. Psychologist Franz Wendtner says any music with a
quiet rhythm will do, but emphasizes that it is most
important to chose selections that are comforting to you.

A good place to start using music’s powerful influence is
to reduce the stress in our lives since recent studies have
shown the number one factor contributing to disease is
stress. In a study at Monash University in Victoria,
Australia, two groups of students were told to prepare an
oral presentation. Some worked in silence while others
listened to Pachelbel’s Canon in D major. The silent
workers’ blood pressure and heart rates climbed as they
reacted to stress, while those in the “music group”
remained steady and calm, and reported feeling less
stressed,

I use music in my classes to help my students relax and be
more present. My personal favorites for stress reduction
are:
• “Silence” by Zachary West
• “In My Time” by Yanni
• “Path” A compilation by Windam Hill
• “Paint the Sky with Stars” Enya
• “Savasana” by Steven Halpern.
• “Deep Breakfast” by Ray Lynch.

Over the years I have found myself with quite a collection
of mood-altering music. I have my morning pick-me-ups, my
messy house motivators, my afternoon energizers and my late
night sleep soundly songs. There is however, one song that
always gets me back on track. It’s a great comfort to know
that all I ever have to do is push play, and I know I Will
Survive.

Lori Chandler R.Y.T. is a registered yoga instructor who
teaches at C.W.U. and throughout Kittitas County.