Monday, September 25, 2006

What is Rhythmic Entrainment?

If you're really interested in knowing about how music affects the mind and the body, then you must understand the principle of rhythmic entrainment. This is simply a documented phenomenon discovered several hundred years ago by physicists. Basically it says that when two bodies in motion are in close proximity, they will soon synchronize with each other. Put it in plain English you say? OK. Imagine that the stereo suddenly starts playing a march by John Philip Sousa. Would you sit motionless while this stirring music plays? Absolutely not! Your toe would tap, your head would nod, you might even feel compelled to get up and march around the room! It's that powerful. I usually explain it to people as the process of the human body's heart rate and breathing synchronizing to the pulse of strong rhythmic music.

Stay tuned for more postings that will explain this further. As always, feel free to send in your questions! Until then, Alice