Sound Bath

Have you ever had a sound bath? It's an incredible thing.

I first read about it in a British women's magazine two years ago. The way they explained it you lie in a spa like room, under a cozy blanket, with a pillow for your head, and meditate for an hour while singing bowls are played, and let the sounds wash over you allowing yourself to relax. I couldn't wait to try it.

It took me a while to find something similar where I live, but I finally did last summer. A sound immersion with singing bowls and gongs. I've since been three times and am officially hooked.

One of the things they tell you is to try not to listen as much as feel the sounds. Allow the vibrations to move through your body. I remember a voice teacher in college saying that vibrations love company, and multiply if you pay attention to them. I've found this to be true and a sound bath is a perfect place to experience this effect. I've also heard it said that vibrations can loosen things up - tension, stagnant energy, emotions - but in my experiences so far I've found this effect to be mostly subtle rather than dramatic.

Vibrations are not the only effect I've experienced. I've seen colors and images, dropped into a trance like state, and felt warmth travel all over my body. The effects are always many and varied. They are also always different.

Every sound bath experience I've had has been different. The first two I attended left me feeling sleepy but buzzy. The last one I felt much more grounded at the end. But the one thing I can count on is that I will discover something new about my body, my mind, my spirit, and meditation every time. If you're looking to delve deeper into meditation or to dip your toes into it for the first time a sound bath is a wonderful thing to try.

Photo by Sophia Dunkin-Hubby

#selfcare