What is the reason Hiko, who recovered from a near-fatal accident, is spreading sound baths in Japan?
Hiko, revived by "sound baths," returns to Japan to spread the concepts of sound baths and meditation, which are useful for mental well-being. This is the second part of how to live happily in a stressful society.
What does Hiko believe is the importance of sleep? What are the benefits of sound baths?
When sleep is light and one is not getting good sleep, the nerves are overstimulated. It becomes difficult to objectively perceive things if one associates meaning with external events. This is one of the ailments of modern society, and it makes it difficult to sleep. Lack of sleep makes one prone to stress and unable to feel happiness.
“In this regard, the sounds of sound baths activate the brain, relieve tension, and improve blood circulation, which has been scientifically proven. Because it works directly on the brain, it's easy to enter a relaxed state without thinking or trying to control it.” The frequency of sound lowers brain waves, changing them from alpha waves to theta waves. Theta waves indicate a relaxed state just before sleep, where the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant. Hiko explained in detail the effects of sound baths: “The parasympathetic nervous system lowers breathing and heart rate and relieves muscle tension, thereby promoting blood flow and activating bodily functions. When the mind is in sync with this series of states, one can gain the reassurance of accepting oneself as one is.”
Creating space in the mind, that is the effect of sound baths. Especially necessary in this age of information overload.
“Sound baths and meditation are not special or difficult. They are easy and accessible to everyone. The ability to experience a meditative state is inherently human, but currently, there are too many other stimuli, so it's all covered up.” Hiko believes that by experiencing a sound bath even once, space can be created in a mind that was filled with things, allowing one to become aware of their true feelings and desires. “I hope sound baths can be an entry point for people to feel the reassurance that 'I am fine just the way I am.'”
“I feel that people in Japan have their heads full of information and a lot of knowledge, but their physical awareness is weak. I want them to deepen their meditation and realize that it's okay to do what they want to do. It's important to regulate breathing, relax, and be able to act on what they decide to do. As a woman myself, and having been a bit of a difficult child in my teens, I want to use my accidents and life experiences to help women protect themselves and live independently. I want Japanese people, who work too hard in a stressful society, to feel more happiness. I hope to be able to offer some support for the current situation where self-expression is difficult and self-esteem is low.”
HIKO KONAMI
Hiko began playing piano at age 4, and since then, meditation and music have always been central to her life. In 2005, she moved to the US, where she studied music at the Lucy Moses School in NY, incorporating the rhythmic movement method known as Dalcroze Eurhythmics. She then completed a 200-hour RYT teacher training at Jai YOGA Arts and 100 hours of functional yoga anatomy at YOGA216, before teaching independently at studios in Brooklyn and Manhattan, primarily focusing on private lessons. She completed the "Sound and Music Institute" at the New York Open Center. She studied sound therapy from various perspectives, including music theory, music therapy, ethnomusicology, shamanism, and scientific approaches to the effects of sound vibrations on the body. After more than 10 years of activity in NY as a sound therapist and yoga instructor, she relocated her base of operations to Japan in February 2019.
