What is a sound bath? ... and other FAQs

What is a sound bath?

The term “bath” refers to a sense of immersion. Just as you might immerse yourself in cleansing waters, sound bathers immerse the body, mind, and spirit in the sounds and vibrations of crystal singing bowls. Common descriptions of this sensation include, “a massage for my mind”, “floating”, and my personal favorite, “remembering something I used to know.” Some people see colors or images, some feel physical sensations in the body, and some just feel like they’ve had a really refreshing nap.

What are the benefits of sound bathing?

A sound bath is part music, part medicine, and part meditation. The meditation component is where the music and the medicine meet: as you practice bringing the wandering mind back from its storytelling to the direct experience of the sounds and sensations of the bowls, you create changes in the nervous system that reduce stress and tension.

Because chronic stress causes the body to function less efficiently, any practice that relieves stress can also improve mood, sleep, digestion, immune function, brain health, and reduce pain and inflammation. Most of us in the modern world live in a near constant state of “fight or flight,” which is a state of reactivity and defensiveness. The opposite of fight or flight is “rest and digest,” which is a state of creativity and wisdom. Sound baths shift the nervous system out of fight or flight and into rest and digest.

It is common to feel the benefits of sound bathing not only during the session, but for several days afterwards. The more you sound bathe, the easier it becomes to maintain the benefits for longer between practices. You get better at noticing the signs that you’ve entered fight or flight, and you develop tools to shift back to a more grounded state. A healthy nervous system doesn’t get “stuck” in either state, but is able to switch back and forth between them as needed.

What if I’m bad at meditating?

Allow me to be the one to clear this up for you. You are not bad at meditating. You think you’re bad at meditating because you can’t stop your thoughts. You can’t stop your thoughts because — Congratulations! — you have a human mind!

Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, it’s about witnessing thoughts. We witness by noticing when the mind has stepped away from the direct experience of what is going on right now and wandered off to the to-do list, the storytelling, the opinion-forming… anywhere but here. Am I right?

By witnessing these endless streams of thought, you might discover a space within your consciousness that is independent from the thinking mind. When you rest your awareness in that space, even for just a fraction of a breath, your body and mind are able to release the tension that results from over identifying with the mind. Every muscle in the body is affected by that tension, and every muscle in the body has potential to relax when awareness rests in that witnessing space.

By witnessing, you learn that you are more than your mind, and that you don’t have to believe everything you think. This knowledge comes in handy in those moments when your mind turns on you with it’s list of insecurities and criticism.

Please note, if you know something about your body that I don’t, and meditation really isn’t the right thing for you, you will still get the benefit of the sound bath, as the sounds and vibrations interact with every cell of your body. You are free to use the sound in whatever way it serves you, whether that’s as a meditation tool or simply a pleasant, relaxing sensory experience.

Is sound meditation different from other types of meditation?

In essence, sound meditation is no different from any type of meditation. It is, at its most simple essence, a practice of witnessing the mind. But sound meditation gives us this really compelling reason to stay present with what is going on right now, because the sounds of the bowls are so interesting and so beautiful. When you notice that the mind has wandered off, you can bring your awareness back to the bowls, allowing the bowls to act as a sort of “anchor” in to the present moment.

Many people who struggle with other forms of meditation observe that they meditate with ease in the sound bath (see testimonials). Most are shocked that a whole hour has passed, and how easy it was to remain still and present for that length of time.

What are the bowls made of?

Each bowl is made from a blend of clear crystal quartz (the purest in the world) and various gemstones, precious metals and elements. The Heartsong Bath crystal family consists of amethyst, smoky quartz, emerald, rose quartz, tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, platinum, god, iron and indium. The effect on the body is influenced by the material as well as the note played. Our set is a C major octave, which contains all the notes that resonate with each of the main energy centers of the body, from root to crown.

I went to another sound bath with different bowls. Will this be a different experience?

Every sound bath is different, due not only to the materials of the bowls, but also the facilitator’s unique approach and intention. Many sound baths use frosted quartz bowls (larger, solid white) and/or metal bowls. It’s all a matter of frequency. Some sound bathers find they prefer one type of experience over the others. Our clear quartz alchemy bowls are “therapeutic grade” which means that they are believed to resonate more closely to the vibration of human body tissues. They are used specifically for sound healing, in addition to meditation aids.

As the facilitator, my intention is to create a refuge for you to step away from the chaos of our fast-paced world and spend some time going inward. I view meditation as an expression of joy and play — we strive to cultivate a sense of curiosity about what is going on in the body and mind in any given moment. The sounds and vibrations of the bowls help us to explore our inner experience in a way that is both safe and pleasurable.

Another unique feature of the Heartsong Bath is the combination of human voice with the sound of the bowls. I take time in the middle of the sound bath to sing in harmony with the bowls, and the effect is similar to hearing a lullaby. My intention during the vocal segment is to soothe the spirit by being a witness for the collective burden of our fears and insecurities. I imagine that I am singing in chorus with all of our ancestors, communicating messages of comfort and hope. Many sound bathers report that they sink into a deeper level of relaxation when a living human voice elicits a dormant song from the bowls.

Ok, I’m in. What should I bring?

Wear comfortable, layered clothing, as we tend to turn off heating and cooling systems so as not to interfere with the sound and vibration of the bowls. In most venues, we have yoga mats and blankets for you to use (check event details). You are always welcome and encouraged to bring your own blankets, pillows, eye masks… whatever you need to feel cozy and comfortable.

In most cases, we lie on the floor supported by bolsters and blankets, but you are free to bring a folding chair or meditation cushion if you would prefer to sit.

Any crystals or liquids that you bring will be infused with the vibration of the bowls.

We ask that you refrain from wearing perfumes or essential oils out of respect for our sound bathers with sensitivity to smell.

If you have any further questions, please email me at heartsongbath@gmail.com. For the story of how I became a sound healer, check out Remembering What I’ve Always Known.