From listening to a meditation app to mindfulness colouring, there is now a wide range of methods and activities that you can take part in to prioritise your mental wellbeing. You're probably familiar with most self-care tips but one you may not have considered is taking part in a sound bath. While sound baths don't typically take place in the tub, they do offer plenty of benefits, some of which include a deep state of relaxation, reduced stress and improved mood.
Sound Healing and Meditation Practitioner Emily Harriet is here to explain more.
What is a sound bath?
Sound healing is a wellbeing activity and form of meditation which uses a combination of unique instruments that are played in a relaxing, soothing way to encourage peace, stillness and calm throughout the mind and body. A sound bath is simply the experience of being immersed in these sounds which are designed to take you on a relaxing journey.
What is a sound bath session?
A sound bath session would be led by a practitioner and could be generic or could be themed. For example, I run different sessions around healing with crystals, intuition, journaling, and intention setting – I also offer sound bath sessions for couples, bride and grooms to be as an alternative hen/stag activity as well as mother/baby blessings. A sound bath session can be tailored to any occasion or need.
In a sound healing session, you will find that everything is usually provided for you: mats, cushions, blankets and most importantly - a cosy environment. All you need to bring is yourself and wear comfy clothes that you can feel relaxed in whilst lying down.
What happens during a sound bath?
In a typical sound bath led by myself, I would first invite you to sit comfortably as you focus on your breath and body, to help you settle into the space. From here, you would be guided to lie down on your back (often referred to as the Savasana position in yoga) and wrap up in a blanket and get cosy as the meditation with sound begins.
I always encourage people to set an intention at the beginning, whether that’s simply to relax, give back to themselves, or to focus on a specific area of the body. By having an intention, it allows you to focus yourself more clearly during the experience, it creates a state of mindfulness and it also helps you feel a deeper connection to the sounds.
As the sound begins, I typically begin with the lower, more grounding tones of the Gongs, before moving on to lighter, uplifting sounds from Crystal Singing Bowls and Chimes. I do this because I carefully curate and play each instrument to induce deeply relaxing states within the body and to provide a variety of different sounds that allow you to experience many of the wonderful ways they can make you feel.
Once your journey finishes, I would then call you back to slowly reawaken the body and gently re-emerge into the present as you take the time to notice how you now feel within yourself from the experience.
Are sound baths good for you?
The practice of Musical Therapy began in the 1940s and the beginning of modern-day sound baths began around the 1960s, however, some of the instruments used in sound healing originally date back many thousands of years, for example, the Gong, which first originated around 3500BC or the Himalayan Bowls, first worked with around 500BC. What are the benefits of gong baths?
The focus of my practice with sound is to help teach people new ways to unwind and relax. Instead of a night out drinking with friends, sound baths can give you an alternative experience to share with loved ones, that’s also healthy for body and mind.
By making a sound bath part of your regular wellbeing practice or social calendar, you may naturally find that you feel happier, uplifted and calmer within by making dedicated time for your wellbeing, where all you need to do is lie down, close your eyes and listen.
There have been many studies outlining the negative impacts that stress and worry can have on the body and your general health. Sound healing is a practice you can use to help manage your stress levels by taking the time to relax, unwind and remove yourself from whatever current situations you may be facing in the outside world. By participating in relaxing exercises, and reducing your stress levels, your overall health can only improve.
Are sound baths dangerous?
Not at all, they’re just like listening to any other sort of music, except you may feel some gentle sound vibrations from instruments such as the gong. Some people even fall asleep during a sound bath!
Who would benefit from a sound bath?
By simply taking the time to go within, detach from the outside world and reconnect with yourself through Sound Healing, many people tend to find they feel more relaxed, peaceful, and rejuvenated. Many people find that the different sounds also make them more aware of themselves and their emotions, helping them to navigate whatever situations in life they may currently be experiencing.
If you struggle with meditation and find your mind is busy with thoughts, a sound bath is an excellent way to experience that meditative state because the sounds give your mind a focus while you benefit from the relaxation.
How to experience a sound bath
A quick Google search should tell you where your nearest sound bath location is. Most in-person sound journeys are about 60 minutes long, but if you’re ever short on time or can’t make something in person, then you can still find benefit by immersing yourself in recordings of relaxing sounds that you can find online in just 5 or 10 minutes of your time. A sound bath is something that can be done at any time of day, and whenever or wherever suits you most. There’s no right or wrong here.
In a sound bath session, the sounds you hear are very deep, rhythmic, and crashing. By lying down and listening to the gong in person, you also find that you can feel the vibrations of sound travelling through the floor beneath you which can feel very soothing.
When you attend a sound bath, you remove yourself from the outside world and step into a dedicated space where you can take the time to connect back in with yourself. The deep sounds of the gongs naturally help you to arrive into a state of relaxation and meditation, as the sounds help to give your mind something to distract it from itself, and therefore you find yourself feeling much calmer and more peaceful from the experience.
About the expert
Harriet Emily is a renowned Sound Healing and Meditation Practitioner. Harriet has been involved in the healing community since childhood and has since travelled the world sharing her work across the UK, US and Europe. As well as offering both 1-2-1 and group events, Harriet also teaches certified Sound Healing Practitioner Training courses.