Using sound as an immersive experience. What is a Sound Bath?
Sound healing, sound baths, sound journey’s, immersion, deep rest, therapy, soundscapes. What exactly are we talking about here? Well, the beauty of this question is, whatever you need it to be (more on that in a bit). Sounds invoke listening. Listening is a form of self-awareness. But it can move deeper than that, if that’s what you’d like it to do.
We all know how to listen, we’ve likely all used all kinds of music to process, move through and understand our emotions too. Listening is an organic practice that we all already know how to do. Sound can facilitate a journey for us. It can evoke restful and soft experiences, it can help us understand our feelings or even connect to our memories. It helps us link connections within ourselves.
At a base level, listening to sound can be sometimes more accessible than meditation, as we’re giving our mind a task - ‘to listen’. Deep meditative states aren’t always accessible without practice or guidance. This is one way where sound can be a beautiful and soothing experience, it helps guide us to deeper places of awareness within ourselves.
What is a sound bath?
Sound rituals and experiences have been explored and developed from differing ancient cultures and First Nations people; including India, Greece, China, Africa and Australia (and others). Sound has been used independently and in combination with healing rituals. The term ‘bath’ in this context, is an immersive experience that ‘bathes’ us in sound and sound vibrations.
Commonly, during a sound bath you might wish to lay down and make yourself as comfortable as possible. Tucking yourself in with blankets, creating a quiet space free of interruptions and adding any personal practices that might have you feeling calm and safe are a perfect addition. Tuning in online with me, you might like to use some headphones for a more immersive experience, but they are not required.
While we are immersed in the sounds and vibrations of the instruments, we might experience inspiration or emotions. For this reason you might also be inspired to create, to journal or move. There is no one way to experience these sessions. What is more relevant, is offering yourself the space to explore these sensations and honour yourself in their expression.
During a sound bath, you may feel different physical, energetic or emotional sensations. The vibrations of the instruments are sometimes described as a ‘sound massage’. Influencing the physical and energetic components of our tissues, from the surface of the skin to the deep tissues and organs. Our bodies can be positively influenced by the sounds, vibrations and magic of these deep experiences.
How can a sound bath inspire relaxation or meditative states?
The sounds offered in a sound bath are relaxing, vibrational, sustained and oscillating tones. Listening-in to them can soothe, relax and encourage us to pause. If we are experiencing stress or worry, pausing to listen to them can help us slow our racing minds, soothe our nervous system and encourage our stress hormones to slow their production. Bringing us out of our ‘fight, flight or freeze’ systems and into our ‘rest and digest’. The frequency of sound bowls as well as other vibrational instruments have also been shown to induce brain waves that induce deep meditative states.
We have all been living with prolonged states of stress and chronic worry. Pausing and offering ourselves time to rest, to be kind to ourselves and to try and slow ourselves down into mindfulness can be challenging. Guided, soothing practices of rest can be a beautiful way to help us connect back into rest and self-soothing.
Are sound baths safe?
Sound baths and sound immersions are a relaxation practice and are completely safe when conducted by trained sound practitioners. Sound therapy is not a replacement for mental health care or medication. There are some considerations to ensure they are appropriate for you specifically.
Due to the vibrational nature of the sounds they are not recommended for pregnant people in their first trimester (due to the changeable nature of the first 12 weeks of pregnancy). Inner ear conditions such as vertigo or tinnitus, or epilepsy (a sound sensitive condition) might mean that sound is not appropriate for you. Similarly, a pacemaker, metal implants, screws and pins may have adverse interactions with vibrational instruments. If you have any questions about how you might experience sound, or your suitability please contact me at heartspacetahlee@gmail.com
What else should I know about Sound Bath’s or sound meditation before I come along to a group or 1:1?
Energetically, the sounds and vibrations offered by these beautiful healing instruments can open us up to different kinds of emotional and cognitive awareness within us. No experience of these sessions is needed. Coming into sound bath’s with an openness in thought and body can be a wonderful place to start. Have a big glass of water before and afterwards as it can help the vibrations move within us. Approach these practices with curiosity in mind and kindness in thought.
Tahlee is hosting a Sound Bath in partnership with Studio 70 on September 4th. You can book to come along here.