Russell Hibbs: Sound-healing journeyman makes Port Douglas home

A new Port Douglas resident says his alternate healing sessions are being embraced by the community so what’s his secret?

A former psychedelic rocker from the 80s is providing “healing” to Port Douglas residents using instruments that would be more at home in Nepal or India rather than the tropics.

Russell Hibbs, who describes himself as singer, songwriter and musician, is making his mark in the tropical tourist town through “sound healing”.

Singer, songwriter, musician and sound healer Russell Hibbs said the community had embraced him during his short time in Port Douglas. Picture: Marcus Wilson.

He said the impacts of his harmonic overtone singing and the sounds he creates using Himalayan bowls, medicine drums, flutes and a shruti box “can be like a very gentle breeze or like a tsunami”.

“The effects can range from being relaxing and restful to people having quite significant experiences, like sitting bolt upright looking like a beetroot and about to explode,” he said.

“Some people have suggested that they had felt some genuine and distinct shift in their disease or their sense of discomfort.

“The bowls are polyphonic.

“You get a slight warping between the sounds and this is seen to have potential healing modality.”

Russell Hibbs said some research suggested sound therapy was helping treat Alzheimer's and dementia. Picture: Marcus Wilson.

While some people are sceptical of the benefits of sound healing, Mr Hibbs said there was growing support for the movement.

He said the scientific community was now recognising different frequencies within the body, while some studies are suggesting a process called 40-hertz sensory stimulation is helping to treat Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“I think we are a very sceptical species and so we should be,” Mr Hibbs said.

“But don’t let scepticism stop you from coming and experiencing something that you may blow trumpets on the rooftop about afterwards,” he said.

Russell Hibbs is holding sound healing sessions in Port Douglas. Picture: Marcus Wilson.

Mr Hibbs has been holding sound healing sessions at the Port Douglas Community Hall and is now finding opportunities to share his talent with the yoga community.

“I’ve been feeling quite embraced by the community,” he said.

“I think people are receptive to this at the moment because it’s so easy really, you just come and relax and take time out to let the sounds rejig you man.”

Originally published as Russell Hibbs: Sound-healing journeyman makes Port Douglas home