WHAT IS A SOUND BATH?
Sound vibration is very healing. Vibration and sounds, especially the complex overtones found in gongs, can quiet the mind and induce a deep meditative state. This, in turn, soothes the spirit and promotes self-healing. Typical responses are the release of anxiety and stress, increased mental clarity, a sense of calm and peace, emotional freedom, a feeling of balance, and a deepening of personal spiritual connection. Sound Therapy is increasingly recognized in integrative medicine.
A Sound Bath is a deeply-immersive, full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes to NURTURE YOUR MIND AND BODY.
The experience begins with each person lying down or seated comfortably, often with a blanket and an eye mask. After a few minutes of guided focus on the breath, the remainder of the experience is filled with different sounds and frequencies being introduced in succession. The sounds are created by various overtone-emitting instruments, including tuning forks, gongs, flutes, Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, chimes, and drums.
When you sink into a Sound Bath and guide your awareness to your listening, you allow your brain waves to slow, shifting from a more active state to a more relaxed state or even a dreamlike state. The sounds introduced during a Sound Bath are an invitation into a deeper state of consciousness, an opportunity to unplug from external stimuli and gain perspective on what's happening within you. The goal of the experience is to invite deep relaxation and explore self-inquiry and self-discovery.
IS THE SOUND BATH HARMFUL TO MY PETS?
Dogs/ Cats love being around energy. If you have a pet at your private home while the sound session is happening, know it is very safe for pets.
AM I LISTENING TO MUSIC?
You aren't listening to music in the formal sense. Though the sounds come from instruments and my voice (and your own), they don't incorporate melody, harmony, rhythm, and arrangements as music does. The less-structured sounds in a Sound Bath help you listen without judgment. Sound Baths remove the desire for reaction and analysis that you might have with a pop song and allow the listener to go deeper into their own experience.
IS IT MEDITATION?
It is not meditation as you may traditionally think of it, but the Sound Bath experience can be helpful for anyone who wants to access the benefits of meditation or a moment of relaxation. Instead of a meditative practice that requires you to sit up straight or have a point of focus or recite a complicated mantra or count your breaths, all you have to do during a Sound Bath is listen. Sound is ephemeral – this particular sound is only happening right NOW – and thus, an awareness of each sound helps you connect to the present moment and explore mindfulness. This experience can be beneficial for both beginners of meditation and experienced meditators.
WILL A SOUND BATH HELP ME SLEEP?
Most people report a "good night's sleep" after a Sound Bath, which often extends into a calm, centered feeling the next day. A Sound Bath can help you access a meditative, self-healing state, invite calm into your daily life, and promote healthy sleep.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR / BRING?
PLEASE DRESS COMFORTABLY. Usually, yoga mats and blankets are provided for you to lay on but feel free to bring a small blanket, eye pillow, or anything else to help you feel more comfortable, water, and an open heart.
I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH LYING ON THE FLOOR. CAN I STILL COME TO A SOUND BATH?
Lying on the floor is one way to experience a Sound Bath. If this is not possible, you are also welcome to sit on a cushion or chair.
CAN CHILDREN COME TO A SOUND BATH?
Children of all ages are welcome, and many have enjoyed the experience. For some children, being quiet and still at any time is difficult, and movement, fidgeting, or talking is disruptive to other participants. You know your child best.
I welcome you to call or message me for a free phone consultation to ask questions and explore a private session for Sound Bath Therapy Services.
(805) 267-9556