Lifting voices together in praise can be a transcendent experience, unifying a congregation in a way that is somehow both fervent and soothing. But is there actually a physical basis for those feelings?
To find this out, researchers of the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden studied the heart rates of high school choir members as they joined their voices. Their findings, published this week in Frontiers in Neuroscience, confirm that choir music has calming effects on the heart — especially when sung in unison.
A Swedish researcher explains how heart rates become synchronized when people sing together.
Credit: Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenberg
Using pulse monitors attached to the singers’ ears, the researchers measured the changes in the choir members’ heart rates as they navigated the intricate harmonies of a Swedish hymn. When the choir began to sing, their heart rates slowed down.
Our Hearts Beat Together When We Sing
This story (h/t praytell) is just so wonderful.
http://www.chantcafe.com/2013/07/let-our-hearts-b…
One wonders if the style of music matters….
(Doncha just hate people who refer to themselves as "one"?)
Save the Liturgy, Save the World!
If only one had followed Adam's link before one posted…
(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
That depends on who one is.