Six Healing Sounds

The Six Healing Sounds is a breathing technique devised by the ancient Chinese to improve health and promote healing and longevity. The Chinese discovered that all humans produce similar sound patterns in certain situations. For instance, after a tense situation, many people utter a sigh of relief. This sigh is the body’s way of releasing emotional stress.

Over the centuries, the Six Healing Sounds went through a number of development and modification by various doctors and teachers, such as the famous Master Sun Simiao (581-682). In his practice, the silently spoken six sounds are coordinated with movements of the body’s extremities and the breath in order to purge and purify the organ cavities and particular channels of inactive qi

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the five major organs — heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney — are each assigned an element (fire, earth, metal, water or wood). Every organ also has an associated sound in which the organ resonates with. By using the associated sound, old, congested qi can be expelled from the affected organ and be replaced with fresh, clear qi.

the six sounds are:

Xu, pronounced like “shh” with deep sigh, which is connected to the liver.

He, pronounced like “her with a yawn, which is connected to the heart.

Si, pronounced like “sir, with slow exhale, which is connected to the lungs.

Chui, pronounced like “tree” with a strong exhale, which is connected to the kidneys.

Hoo, pronounced like “who,” which is conceited to the spleen.

Xi, pronounced like “she,” which is connected to the whole body.

The following poem, by Simiao gives us some ideas how live healthy according to the seasons and what sound to make for each season. 

"In Spring, breathe xu for clear eyes and so wood can aid you liver.
In summer, reach for he, so that heart and fire can be at peace.
In fall, breathe si to stabilize and gather metal, keeping the lungs moist.
For the kidneys, next, breathe chui and see you inner water calm.
the Triple Heater needs your xi to expel all heat and troubles.
In all four seasons take long breaths, so spleen can process food.
And, of course, avoid exhaling noisily, not letting even your ears hear it.
The practice is most excellent and will help preserve your divine elixir."   

Sound is one of the most powerful forms of energy in the universe, and therefore it’s also a very effective way of working with energy in Qigong. The six healing sounds are ideal for closing a meditation practice, an exercise session, your workday, or whenever your energies need soothing and settling.