So, what is a Soundbath, and are sound baths just another one of those new-age ways of healing the body?
As the name implies, a Soundbath is a method of deeply relaxing and entering a meditative state while immersed in sounds and vibrations that have been used to potentially heal the mind, body, and soul.
Ever thought of experiencing a Sound bath?
If so, in this blog, we’ll also share some helpful tips for beginners, and discover at least 10 benefits of having one, such as stress relief, improved sleep, and a clearer mind.
The journey is all about self-discovery while immersed in deep relaxation and meditative state.
Sound baths are usually found to be a relaxing experience that uses sound to help ease tension and stress within the body and mind.
The sounds normally have a calming effect, which might help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. For some, this could lead to things like better digestion, more restful sleep, and an overall sense of wellness.
Although everyone’s experience can vary with sound baths, but many normally find it to be a really soothing and peaceful practice.
The concept of sound healing isn’t new. In history, used by ancient civilizations thousands of years ago it was referred to as spiritual healing and purification music.
Sound Bath Tools and Instruments
Each instrument has its own country of origin and its spiritual and symbolic significance.
A range of instruments such as flutes, gongs, singing bowls, chimes, rattles, didgeridoo. To mention only a few.
Tibetan Singing Bowls:
Have roots in ancient Tibetan Buddhism and are traditionally made from different types of metals.
Practitioners create sound and vibrations by either striking the bowl with a mallet or rubbing it around the rim in a circular motion.
When rubbed around the rim a few times, some bowls produce a longer, sustained sound. This can vary though, depending on the metals used and the practitioner’s experience.
Tuning Forks:
Often used in sound bath sessions to create specific vibrations.
When struck and held near the body, they produce sound waves that can normally help promote relaxation and a sense of balance.
Also note that tuning forks come in a variety of ranges. Each tuning fork creates a different tone and frequency.
While many can find the gentle sounds soothing and meditative, it’s still worth noting that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Crystal Quartz Singing Bowls
Did you know you can get singing bowls even made from beautiful, high-quality quartz crystals?
If you’re drawn to mother earth’s crystals, then these 7 unique vibrational sounds might really speak to you.
Each crystal quartz bowl is tuned to a specific frequency, said to help balance and align each one of the chakras.
The sound of crystal quartz of course is very different from various metal made bowls. Keeping in mind, that not everyone resonates with the same sound frequencies.
So it’s all really about finding the tone that feels right in tune for you!
While crystal singing bowls can be on the pricier side due to the quality of the quartz and the craftsmanship involved, they are truly beautiful pieces.
Some of bowls feature intricate chakra symbols engraved on each one. Others quartz bowls showcase each color associated with each chakra. Since it’s all about 7 main chakras.
Drumming
Drums have been used in many religious traditions and rituals as a symbol of divinity and a way to connect to the sacred.
They are often used to invoke spiritual states, facilitate communication with deities, and even create a sense of unity and transcendence.
In a sound bath experience, drumming can help focus the mind, stimulating chakra energy and a sense of grounding to mother earth.
The sound of drums is very primal and earthy. Making it a powerful tool for finding rhythm and flow.
Now, incase you wanted to try out the drum experience for yourself at home, you really don’t need an ancient drum for your session.
Any drum can work! Whether it’s a bongo drum, a hang drum, or even a simple hand drum.
The key is to get into the rhythm and find the tone that really hits at your core. Let the movement of the drumming help you connect and balance the chakras within!
And if you’re curious about how drumming fits into the energy healing work, here are 5 things you can think about.
Even if you’re practicing solo, online, or in group sessions.
Rhythmic Healing: A steady rhythm of the drum can help synchronize the brainwaves. Potentially inducing a state of deep relaxation (theta brainwave frequency.) Similar to a meditative or trance-like state.
Emotional Release: The primal, resonant sound of drums may help to release pent-up emotions or blockages within the body. The vibrations can potentially create feelings of release or catharsis for some. Making it easier to process emotions held within.
- Connection to the Earth: Drums, especially those with the deep, resonant tones, are often considered “earthy” sounds. This grounding quality normally used to feel connection to the present moment and spirit within.
Enhanced Creativity: The rhythmic nature of drumming can also help to tap into the creative aspects of oneself. Unlocking new ways of thinking as well as problem-solving.
Community and Unity: When used in a group sound bath setting, drumming can create a sense of unity and collective energy.
Digital sounds – Using digital sounds produced and aided by software to imitate specific instruments can still help relax and balance our chakra energy centers.
This can be great for when tuning into a sound bath in your own home space.
Sure it’s not going to feel the same, as being in a group environment or feeling the vibe of a collective energy. But it all depends on your time, preference and location of the sessions.
Chanting and other forms of prayer and even singing varied significantly across cultures all around the world.
It was all done to cure and cleanse the body. All of this is now referred to as part of the sound bath experience.
Sound baths have become so popular that even celebrities love to use them as part of their health and wellness routines.
Even rehabilitation centers incorporate them into sound therapy (often called music therapy) to help individuals recovering from trauma or struggling with addictive behaviors.
Is A SoundBath And Sound Therapy The Same Thing
So, we’re on the same page; sound bath and sound therapy (known as music therapy), are not to be confused with one another.
Music therapy is a treatment facilitated by mental health practitioners.
While a sound bath can be facilitated by a holistic practitioner like yoga, meditation, or a music healer.
This can be practiced in a group setting, one one one sessions, or even doing it at home.
It’s somewhat similar to a meditation, because you’re in a deep, tranquil state of being.
Although in soundbath, you’ll normally feel vibrational waves of sound energy traveling throughout your body. Depending on the individual that is.
The benefits of sound baths can include reduced stress levels, improved sleep, pain relief and more.
Keeping in mind that sound baths are never replacements for any medical treatments. Even though people normally use them as a complementary aid with other treatments.
Always check with your medical practitioner first before embarking on any alternative and holistic treatments, for your health and wellbeing journey.
How Do Sound Baths Work ?
If you’re part of a group session or even in an individual online session, a sound bath usually lasts anywhere around 45 and 60 minutes.
Helpful Tips for Beginners on Sound Baths
The great thing is participants are not required to do much at all.
No special clothes or equipment are required during a sound bath. However, participants are best to wear comfortable clothes for the laying or sitting positions.
Some participants are even prompted to bring along their own items. Things like perhaps a pillow, blanket, yoga mats, eye pillows, and anything else one might need to feel 100% relaxed to be totally immersed in the session.
A holistic healer usually leads the group with the sound bath session. Using different sound vibrations and instruments.
Most wellness sound bath sessions start with a particular theme such as a self-love or gratitude.
The theme being something positive for the mind and body. Enabling participants to get comfortable and feel the positive affirmations and sound vibrate throughout. All part of the energy healing process.
Sometimes even chanting an Om or a mantra can be part of the hour-long session. These are various examples of sounds baths.
It’s all about facilitating an ethereal, tribal theme or soothing meditation experience or it can even be both.
It shows us that the sound bath session can be simple or complex. Depends on the teacher and group’s demands.
While each person’s entire experience of a sound bath is different. There are several similarities that most experience. Deep relaxation and wellness.
Above all, it encapsulates the mind with relaxing and healing energetic sounds which usually calm and loosen tense muscles.
Sound bath experiences are also used for chakra balancing.
In other words to be in sync with universal energy of flow and equilibrium.
As mentioned, these sounds can include tuning forks, chimes, Tibetan singing bowls, crystal sound bath bowls, and gongs.
And that’s only to mention a few.
Sound instruments are adjusted to different frequencies and pitches. This is to help people enter a meditative state for flow and relaxation.
One person might cry or have an “aha” moment, while another person will feel calm emotions and a state of peace.
Participants do a variety of different things in the session. Some people lie down, while others prefer to sit or curl up.
Others may even stand and move to specific tribal rhythms as they feel fully totally immersed. By the end of the sound bath experience, everyone leaves feeling rejuvenated and refreshed with positive energy!
10 Benefits Of A SoundBath
Sound baths are usually a personal spiritual journey. Using various instruments to create an environment and elevate the meditative session.
There are so many sound bath benefits; here we’ve listed 10 of them.
1. Reduction of anxiety and stress
2. Deepened relaxation and grounding oneself
3. Improvement of overall health and feeling of wellness
4. Stable mood and emotions
5. Improved sleep
6. Increased energy and focus
7. Enhanced awareness of oneself and more intuitive
8. Lower blood pressure
9. Pain reduction
10. Studies show, may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Does The Vibration Of Sound Healing Loosen Muscles?
In addition, when we meditate and find inner peace through listening to sound bath or meditation music, our muscles tend to relax. Releasing endorphins that make us feel good about ourselves. Stimulating cell activity, which helps with the self -healing process.
As the body relaxes, it alleviates some or all of the pain a participant may be experiencing. This may happens when cells resonate or vibrate as a response to a particular frequency.
With a specific sound bath frequency, muscles loosen and relax, giving the participant a calming sensation.
This study showed participants tended to rank their pain higher before the sound bath as opposed to after.
Does A Virtual Sound Bath Work?
Some people have tight schedules and can’t find the extra time to drive somewhere and be part of the sound bath group experience.
With the virtual one though, all one has to do is find one online, and see if you enjoy the experience.
It’s also a good idea to use some quality headphones so you have crystal clear sounds as they resonate throughout your being.
My Favorite Sound Bath & Meditation Tools
If you love the idea of fully immersing yourself in the sound bath experience, I’ve got some amazing hand picked products for you to have a look at.
Some of these are my personal favorites for meditation and self-care healing.
Although, there’s one standout product I absolutely love!
It’s the rain drum for outdoors – it creates beautiful, calming sounds when raindrops fall on the drum.
Tip: The best way to use this one, is to place it either under a tree or a big leaf plant. So when its raining the heavier drops fall onto the drum, creating a meditative atmosphere to your space. Otherwise it’s too much of a gentle sound just in the rain itself.
So have a browse through and see if there’s something that catches your spirit for sound baths! 🙂
Final Take
Sound baths can be a relaxing way to de-stress the physical and mental self.
After all, it can be a great wellness routine right? You don’t need to be in any particular sitting position. Although there are many different ways to meditate.
But in a sound bath, you can generally just sit back or lay down, immersing in all the different tones surrounding you.
Some people love the idea of taking part in the music by using instruments, getting fully into it, with their sound bath experience.
Accompany this with your favorite affirmation or healing mantra, choice is all yours. Enjoy!
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Disclaimer: Our web pages and blog posts provide general information for general purposes only and not to be used for any medical, legal or alternative health advice for any type of physical, mental health or financial concerns.Always speak to your practitioner before embarking on any new alternative treatments. If you have concerns about any medical matters, you should always consult your healthcare provider without delay.We thank you for taking full responsibility for your own health and wellbeing in life. ☺
