What is a Sound Bath?

In a sound bath, you hear and feel a symphony of tones from singing bowls, tuning forks, bells and other overtone emitting instruments. The experience is often called a sound bath because it literally feels like you are being bathed in sound. It is a deep, somatic listening experience that offers people a gentle way to connect to their bodies and de-stress their nervous systems.

As a sound practitioner, I primarily perform with a set of Crystal Tones Alchemy singing bowls carefully selected for their quality and tonal resonance. The Alchemy Bowls are made with a combination of quartz crystal, semi-precious stones and minerals. Each bowl is unique in its composition, offering a sublime sound healing experience for both body and mind.

What can I expect?

People often experience a sense of relaxation for days after a sound bath, reporting tension and pain relief as well as improved cognition, sleep and mood. It is peaceful yet powerful for mind and body.

Throughout the session, your nervous system releases tension, your brain waves naturally slow and you shift into a relaxed, lucid, dreamlike state of being.

More than anything, a restorative sound bath is an opportunity to let yourself slow down, rest and do nothing. Simply tune into the sounds around you and give yourself permission to just be there in the moment.

Know that while most people prefer to lie down for the entire session this might not work for you. It could be that sitting in a meditation posture is more relaxing, or light stretching and movement is what helps you relax and release tension. Trust your body and follow what feels most comfortable and supportive for you.

What may come up?

Some people may experience an emotional release or fall asleep during a sound bath. These responses are both very normal. Other people report sensations of floating, tingling, temperature changes and of energy movement around the body.

The experience of a lucid, dream-like state, or a waking interaction with your unconscious, is also quite common.

Whatever happens, your experience will be unique to you and no two sound bath experiences are the same. With openness and curiosity, the experience can invite self-discovery as you journey within.

Are experiencing emotions in the session normal?

Sometimes feelings or states that are uncomfortable can arise during a session. This is perfectly normal as part of the experience of tuning into your body is being open to any emotions that may emerge or require your attention to be released. The intention of these events is to create a safe and gentle space that supports people, wherever they are at, while also respecting each other’s right to space and privacy to deal with things as they come up. As a practitioner, I bring a trauma-informed approach to every session I hold, and always encourage people to remember to take care of their own wellbeing, first and foremost.

What can I bring into the event?

Wear loose, warm clothing that you can lie down or sit comfortably in and bring plenty of water for hydration. For Covid-19 health and safety measures, you will be required to wear a mask and bring your own yoga mat, blankets and cushions for comfort. To prepare, ensure that you are well-hydrated and that your blood sugar levels are normal to prevent any dizziness or light-headedness from occuring.

Post-Session Care:

You may experience a sense of relaxation and ongoing tension relief in the days following a sound bath. A slight physical detoxing may also occur, therefore it’s advised to stay hydrated in the days following the session and to be gentle with yourself. Take it easy and try not to schedule anything too intense right after your session.

Can I combine substances to enhance the experience?

For the respect and safety of all participants, please do not mix psychedelic drugs at public group events. There are other places and plenty of resources to explore blending sound with psychedelics in guided, therapeutic settings. I am happy to discuss further if you have any questions.

Who do you recommend to not take a group sound bath?

If you’ve experienced a recent concussion or are undergoing treatment for a head injury of any type, please contact me directly as I would recommend personalized, one-on-one treatments that are designed around your specific needs rather than a public, group session. Also, if you are currently undergoing intensive therapy or treatments for PTSD and trauma, I would recommend individual sound sessions as a starting point as these can be highly customized to your needs. A sound bath is a helpful tool for stress reduction, sleep aid and mindfulness practice, it is not a substitute for professional medical treatment.