Recent research indicates what indigenous people around the globe have known for centuries: Music influences our cognitive, spiritual, physical, social and emotional well-being and causes physiological improvements in heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety.

"In short, music affects our quality of life," said Dr. Joke Bradt, a music therapist who works at the Arts & Quality of Life Research Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, which has studied music's therapeutic powers.

Participants in a recent program the Research Center held at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, the North Philadelphia community organization, need no convincing when it comes to the healing power of music. The eight-week, 90-minute music therapy sessions they participated in studied the impact of music therapy on cardiovascular disease in Latina women.

All of the participants I spoke to said music therapist Karen Dennery had positively influenced their lives.

"I enjoyed it a lot - it really helped me with my depression, and I'm sad to see it end," said one of the study participants.

Dennery, a board-certified music therapist proficient in guitar, piano and voice, said, "The study participants at Congreso were receptive to music therapy on day one and open to receive and express themselves through music."

The music therapy was designed to be culturally relevant and taught participants music-based stress management, relaxation, self-expression and group cohesion. They were encouraged to participate in group songwriting, musical improvisation and singing to affirm spirituality and a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of the ways music can soothe and inspire body and mind:

_ Music can get you into a state of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). Music can lift you when you're down and motivate you to move mountains.

_ A strong musical beat stimulates the brain and increases mental alertness. On the other hand, a slow beat has a calming and meditative effect.

_ Music can alter your blood pressure and heart rate, too. Slow music can slow breathing and heart rate and stimulate a relaxation response. So with music you can get a twofer: You feel better and get healthier, too.

For more information on music therapy, go to www.musictherapy.org.

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Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!