Breath and Meditation ·
The Six Healing Sounds: Tao Tradition and How It Is Practised
The Six Healing Sounds is a Taoist practice in which you sit and softly make a particular sound on each slow out-breath. Mantak Chia passes it on within Universal Tao, and it is taught one to one in a Tao session. The word “healing” is traditional, not proof of a health effect.
This article is for personal awareness and coaching purposes; it does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Please see a doctor for any health concerns.
Hello dear friends. 🌿 The Six Healing Sounds is a practice from the Taoist tradition. You sit comfortably and, on each slow out-breath, make a particular sound softly. The word “healing” in the name comes from the tradition; it is not proof of a health effect.
We often hold our breath during the day without noticing, do we not? This practice opens a simple space for coming back to yourself through sound and breath. Everything in nature has a sound: the wind, the water, a leaf. Our breath has a sound too, and listening to it slows us down. Here I share where the practice comes from and what you will do with me in a session.
Where does the Six Healing Sounds practice come from?
The Six Healing Sounds is one of the old practices of the Taoist tradition. One of the teachers who made it widely known in its present form is Grand Master Mantak Chia. He passes these practices on as a whole called Universal Tao, also known as the Universal Healing Tao. The Inner Smile, the Microcosmic Orbit and Iron Shirt are part of the same body of practice. Touching a wisdom this old moves me every time.
I trained and was certified with Grand Master Mantak Chia in Thailand. I teach the Inner Smile, the Six Healing Sounds, Iron Shirt and the Microcosmic Orbit. I also joined Master Chia’s five-day Dark Room training. Having received this teaching at its source is something I am deeply grateful for.
How is it practised?
It is practised sitting, with breath and sound. We usually begin sitting upright and relaxed. Each sound is made slowly on the out-breath. The sounds are soft, never shouted. Gentle arm and body movements go with them. Between the sounds there are short moments of rest, where you notice what you feel in your body.
In the tradition, each sound is linked with an organ, a colour and an emotion. These links are the symbolic language of Taoist thought, not a medical explanation. I do not claim that any sound has a medical effect on an organ. To me this language is a poetic way of turning towards the body with kindness and thanking it.
What will you do with me in a session?
I teach the Six Healing Sounds one to one in my Universal Tao, Inner Smile and Chi Kung session, face to face or online. I work in Turkish and English. We begin with a short conversation about how you are that day. Then I show the practices step by step, and you do them together with me. There is no hurry; at every step we move by listening to your body.
- Inner Smile: you take your attention to your organs one by one and smile there.
- Six Healing Sounds: we make particular sounds along with the breath.
- Chi Kung: we join breath and attention through slow, repeated movement.
You leave the session with a short set you can continue on your own at home. Comfortable clothes are enough. To book a session, write to us; we will get back to you and find a time together.
What should you know before trying it at home?
I do not give the sounds and postures one by one here. I suggest learning it with a teacher who can see you and gently correct you, rather than from an article. Forcing the breath, holding it for a long time or carrying on when you feel dizzy are not part of this practice. If you feel uncomfortable, you can stop and return to your normal breath. In this practice, being gentle with yourself comes before doing it right.
This is not a medical method; it is a practice that works the body and the attention together. The experience differs from person to person. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or have any breathing difficulty, it is wise to speak with your doctor before you begin.
Have you tried this practice before? I would be so happy if you shared your experience or your questions with me. May your breath stay soft and your smile stay inside you. With love. ✨
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Frequently asked questions
What are the Six Healing Sounds?
A Taoist practice in which you sit and softly make particular sounds on the out-breath. In Universal Tao it is one of the core practices, alongside the Inner Smile.
Does “healing” in the name mean it has a health effect?
No. “Healing” is a traditional name, not proof of a health effect, and the practice does not replace medical support.
Can I learn the Six Healing Sounds at home on my own?
I suggest taking the first steps with a teacher. In the session we practise together, and then I give you a short set to continue at home.
Where did you learn this practice?
I trained and was certified with Grand Master Mantak Chia in Thailand. I am a Universal Tao healer and trainer.
Can the Tao session be done online?
Yes. I hold the Tao session one to one, face to face or online.
What should we talk about before a session?
It helps to talk beforehand about your health, any sensitivity around breathing and what you hope for. Where needed, I suggest speaking with your doctor first.
If you feel dizzy, experience pain or become noticeably uncomfortable during breathwork, stop the exercise and return to your normal breathing. Important information: These services are not intended as treatment and do not prevent or cure any illness. I am not a medical doctor; the sessions I give are experiential practices for personal awareness, spiritual exploration and wellbeing. If you have an ongoing health concern or treatment, please consult your doctor.