Dance yourself healthy – Music as Medicine

Whether dancing through the living room or quietly listening in your favorite armchair: music has an impact. It touches, moves – and heals. What has been practiced in many cultures for centuries is now confirmed by science: music can strengthen our psyche, relieve pain, lower our heart rate, and evoke memories. Music is more than entertainment – ​​it is medicine.

How music affects body and mind

Music reaches our brain where emotions arise—in the limbic system. Even before our minds consciously listen, the brain stem reacts to sounds. This ancient brain region regulates reflexes, breathing, and even blood pressure. Music can thus directly influence bodily processes: It changes heart rate and breathing rate, relaxes muscles, and affects our hormone levels.

Mirror neurons also play a role: They allow us to empathize with what musicians express—joy, longing, sadness. We experience music not only aurally, but also physically and emotionally. In some people, this even leads to synesthesia: they see sounds as colors, taste sounds, or smell music.

Music and medicine – almost the same sign

A fascinating detail from Chinese written language underscores the connection between sound and healing:

Look at the cover image of my post: On the left, the symbol for music, on the right, the symbol for medicine – they are almost identical. The only difference? The "crown" above the symbol for medicine. It symbolizes the healing, transformative effect of music. Language can be wrong – characters sometimes aren't. This visual proximity shows that in traditional Chinese culture, music is very closely linked to the art of healing. What a beautiful image for what modern science has long confirmed – music can be medicine.

Cultural significance of the Chinese characters for “music” and “medicine”:

The similarity of the characters for "music" and "medicine" in Chinese reflects the traditional belief that music has healing properties. In Chinese culture, music has always been viewed not only as an art form but also as a means of promoting health and well-being. This connection is also evident in traditional Chinese medicine, which includes the use of music to treat various ailments. 

This close connection between music and healing in Chinese culture underscores the importance of music not only as a form of entertainment, but also as a therapeutic tool to promote physical and mental well-being.

Music as a Therapeutic Tool

Research on music therapy and music medicine shows how music can be used specifically:

• Music medicine: Listening to music to relieve pain or anxiety, usually used by medical

professionals.

• Music therapy: Therapeutic work with music by trained music therapists – for example,

in psychotherapy or rehabilitation.

• Music-based interventions: Projects such as singing circles or live music at the

bedside.

• Musician medicine: The medical care of people who develop physical complaints

through making music – such as posture problems or stage fright.

Mozart for the Heart

Studies show: Classical music has a particularly positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Physician Prof. Hans-Joachim Trappe tested various musical styles and found that Mozart, Bach, and Strauss lower blood pressure and heart rate. Surprisingly, heavy metal also showed positive effects – whereas Abba songs had little effect. Why? Presumably, according to Trappe, because sung lyrics place additional strain on the brain, thus reducing the relaxing effect.

Music as a comforter

Especially in times of crisis, music acts as a balm for the soul. This was confirmed by a study conducted by the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt during the first coronavirus lockdown: Music helped many people reduce emotional stress and experience a sense of connection – even without physical contact.

Dance as Medicine

And what about dance? In dance therapy, music and movement combine to form a healing unity. Those who dance express what often cannot be expressed in words. The body remembers – and through dance, it can release stress, transform emotions, and find new vitality. A musical dialogue with oneself.

Conclusion:

Music heals – sometimes quietly, sometimes wildly, sometimes right to the heart. Whether you listen to it, play it, or dance to it: music connects you with yourself. And that is often the first step toward healing.

From sound to movement – ​​and through fire

From these insights, I developed workshops that are more than mere experiences: They are experiential spaces for transformation. At their core is the interplay of dance, music, and firewalking—three forces that activate the body, clarify the mind, and open the heart. Music moves. Dance liberates. Fire transforms.

These elements form the basis for a series of powerful formats I'm currently developing – for people who want to (re)connect with themselves, push boundaries, and grow internally.

🔥 Our next firewalk on the topic of music & healing will take place in early May 2025🔥

It will be intense. It will be transformative. And yes – it will be magical.