By Babs S. Harrison
Have you ever taken a sound bath?
It’s a deeply immersive, full-body listening experience. Instead of water, you bathe in the healing vibrations of sound. The beautifully-tuned frequencies from crystal and bronze bowls, giant gongs, tiny chimes, tuning forks and other instruments gently wash over your body. These waves of sound guide the mind into a contemplative state not unlike meditation, resulting in a greater sense of calm and wellbeing, lowered stress and enhanced happiness. Side effects can include improved sleep and inspired creativity.
You might think a hot bath, or perhaps an ice bath if you’re a fan of the Wim Hof Method of cold therapy, would be just as effective. These have benefits, but sound bathing works in a different way. Because our body composition is made up of so much water, humans are brilliant conductors of sound. Plus, you really don’t need to do anything in a sound bath but show up and listen.
Sound bathing, also referred to as sound meditation or sound healing, works on the concept of entrainment. Just as two people walking side by side often fall into step without trying, sound bathing works in a similar way. Everything and everybody vibrates at a particular frequency, so it’s really about getting into the right rhythm. That’s where sound bathing can help.
The principle of entrainment was discovered in the seventeenth century by a Dutch scientist, who found that the moving pendulums of two clocks, when mounted on the same wall, would synchronize with each other. This became a basic law of physics: when two independent rhythmic systems interact with each other, they synchronize.
Thus, a sound bath produces vibrations that entrain your brain waves to resonate at the same frequency as the tuned instruments. This affects the body at a cellular level, restoring the out-of-harmony frequencies and helping to downshift from an alert and active beta state. Then, you transition to an alpha state of relaxed consciousness. Finally, you reach a theta meditative state, which is why you feel so relaxed. Sound has the power to shift our frequencies from low energy feelings of guilt, shame, anger and greed to higher vibrations of love, joy and gratitude. Sound baths are an effective way to tune up the mind and body by harmonizing with a higher frequency.
Experience Healing with Sound at Castle Hot Springs
Castle Hot Springs offers an an hour-long sound bath led by a trained practitioner. This ceremony is led with the goal of relaxing your body, soothing your soul, and balancing your energy. A gong has strong vibrations and a rich sound due to its size and structure, making it a super-charged instrument for the experience.
It’s about more than just feeling good. Less stress and more happiness mean we are taking care of our overall mental wellbeing. Which has greater ramifications for overall health
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has identified mental wellness as an important trend, defined as “an internal resource that helps us think, feel, connect and function. It is an active process that helps us to build resilience, grow and flourish.”
Sound therapy is part of this sector, targeting our senses and the mind-body connection. It’s one more tool for managing stress and lowering anxiety. The best part is that it requires no previous experience or skill on the listener’s part, making it one of the most accessible wellness practices.
All you have to do is relax and follow the instructions of the practitioner. Here’s how to prepare for your meditative journey into sound bathing:
Wear comfortable clothing, as you will probably lay on your back on a yoga mat in shivasana (corpse pose). If bolsters, blankets and eye masks are available. Use them so your body can totally relax and stay warm for the duration of the sound bath.
Eat light and be hydrated beforehand.
Set a positive intention for the session or have a goal in mind, perhaps to reduce stress or achieve clarity on an issue.
Cancel out the mind chatter, be present and listen. Feel the vibrations and soak up the benefits of the sounds. After the session, try to hold on to the heightened state of relaxation and serenity. The more you can let go and just flow with it, the more relaxing it will be.