Today we are facing more and more technology overload. This world helps to create a lot of mental chatter and a frenzy of data to take in on a regular basis. From Zoom meetings to using our phones, is a noise that we cannot necessarily see but we feel. It drains our energy and may cause brain fog and a lack of creativity. Encouraging wellness as a go to remedy is a welcomed change in society with all of the overload we experience. An ancient form of meditation has experienced a surge of popularity lately and it is sound bathing.

A quick history on sound bathing

Greek physicians used musical instruments to heal patients, tapping into the power of vibration to aid in digestion, treat mental issues, and encourage sleep. The ancient Egyptians described sound bathing to help heal the sick. Native Americans used singing, chanting, and drums as part of their healing processes. It wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that researchers began to study the healing effects of music, finding that it could lower blood pressure and assist the work of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body calm down and recover from stress.

Today, sound healing takes shape in many forms. Different types of sound healing include music and sound therapy, binaural beats, mantra and chanting, tuning forks, and sound baths with singing bowls. This article discusses the healing benefits of sound baths, which have risen in popularity in recent years and have been popping up in yoga studios and spaces around the world.

Does a sound bath involve a bath tub?

No, not unless you want to take a bath while listening to a recording of these sound choices. The goal here is to immerse the body into an energy frequency that assists in aligning the body to a healing vibration. A sound bath is a form of meditation that guides listeners into a deep state of relaxation using the sounds and vibrations from instruments. Common sound bath instruments include: 

• Crystal or brass singing bowls
• Tingsha cymbals
• Chimes
• Gongs
• Tuning forks
• Shakers
• Shruti box 
• Didgeridoo
• Harps

Each note you hear in a sound bath has a purpose. It’s more than just a string of beautiful sounds tied together — there is intention behind every note and every sequence. As a form of meditation, sound baths are an excellent way to let go of your worries and sink into a deeply serene experience. Adding sound to the meditation experience can take your relaxation to a completely new level.

“These specially tuned frequencies of sound help to bring you into a very deep state of rest and self-healing,” says LA-based sound healer Susy Markoe Schieffelin. “Each bowl is tuned to a different chakra, or energy center. When these bowls resonate with your chakras, they cleanse, they clear, they open you up, and they move energy through your body and bring you into a state of vibrational harmony. This is a time when you can return to a place of centeredness so you can let go of blockages and experience healing.”

Why you should take a sound bath…

Sound baths offer us an opportunity to align our energetic frequencies. Sound baths can interrupt patterns in the brainwaves. Taking just 10-15 minutes for a sound bath can be just what you need to relax and restore when you don’t have a lot of time to spend for meditation.

Though studies specifically on sound baths are limited, there is a lot of research that shows the physical and psychological. Here are a few benefits of sound baths, sound healing, and meditation:

• Calms your body and mind
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Increases focus and clarity
• Decreases tension and fatigue 
• Boosts your mood and reduces feelings of anger
• Improves sleep
• Elevates feelings of spiritual well-being

How will you feel after a sound bath? A wide range of emotions come up for people, from blissful to spaced out. But most people feel an overall sense of relaxation.

This is an opportunity to reconnect with your own personal energy. Sound is healing and soothing. It breaks through tension and relaxes the body.

Sound baths at home

Find a place to relax either on a couch, bed, or flat surface. The floor is a great place because you will be on the ground. This gives you the opportunity to connect to the earth’s energies. There are several free options on YouTube that you can find. These classes will range in a variety of time options. Pick the time that you want to spend and go from there. Even 5 minutes will do you some good. Give your brain and body a break. Immerse yourself in the world of sound. No towel needed!