A new program at Marin General Hospital offers patients an innovative way to heal the body and mind. The hospital’s Institute for Health & Healing features a Healing Harp Program.

“This program is based on integrating harp music’s ancient healing properties with modern medical science,” said Susie Shipley, IHH Manager.

“Specific harp playing techniques geared toward individual patients have been shown to reduce pain, lower blood pressure, regulate breathing, relieve depression and anxiety, stimulate the immune system and provide spiritual comfort.”

Healing Harp services are provided for patients in waiting rooms, hallways and patient rooms.

The program also offers training for anyone in the community wanting to learn to play the harp from a therapeutic perspective. A certification program for harpists is also offered in Integrative Medicine and Healing Harp with an extensive training program.

A program benefit is planned on Sunday, April 29, at the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. A reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Green Room and a Marin Symphony performance follows at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $95 and are available by contacting Shipley at (415)925-7623 or Lori Gremel at (415) 492-4733.

March 14, 2007