The Magic of Sound Healing
“What happens in a sound bath?”
As a sound healer, this is a question I get all the time. Let me explain :)
If you’re new to sound baths you might be wondering, “is this like a massage?” or “will I be moving like I’m in a yoga class?” Although a sound bath might feel like a massage for your soul, you keep all your clothes on. And although you might feel energy moving like you’re in a yoga class, all you have to do is sit comfortably or lie down.
A sound bath is a relaxing and nourishing experience for your nervous system. During a sound bath you will receive the energy produced from quartz crystal bowls (and potentially a variety of other instruments depending on the practitioner and the intention) All you have to do is relax and breathe. The healing energy of the bowls will do the rest. In our accomplishment-driven culture it can feel counterproductive to “do nothing” but that is exactly what you’re trying to do. By doing less, you are inviting your parasympathetic nervous system to be activated. Doing less is actually the work. And if you’re like me, conditioned to do allllll the things allllll the time, this can feel uncomfortable to “just lay around.” I invite you to notice that sensation without judgement and just sit with it.
During the sound bath, you might feel heavy or light. You might start to feel hot or cold or have a tingling sensation. Or maybe you don’t react in a physical way at all. You might see intense images or have emotions pop up, some folks say they see colors moving behind their closed eyelids. You might giggle or sneeze. Maybe you yawn or fall asleep. I never call it snoring, I prefer to say purring (yes, like a little kitty taking a nap). If you become distracted or have ruminating thoughts, bring your mind back to the sound of the bowls and the sensation of the breath. Please know that any reaction you have is totally normal and okay. You cannot do this wrong. The most important thing is to breathe with and through whatever you’re feeling. Remember that emotions are energy in motion, so let them flow.
To prepare for the sound bath, be sure to wear comfortable clothing that you can relax in. For me, that’s what I would wear to yoga or chilling in my house reading. No zippers or underwire (but that’s my vibe most of the time) Block, bolsters, blankets, eye maks and yoga mats are available for you at the studio. But if you’d like to bring cozy socks or crystals, anything that will make you feel safe and comfortable, you’re welcome to do that.
At the conclusion of the sound, you’ll take your time to move slowly coming out of the sacred space. Afterwards, I recommend that you spend some time journaling, enjoy a hot bath or shower or warm cup of tea. Be sure to drink lots of water and be kind to yourself. You might find that you get a deeper sleep or feel more calm for hours or even days after the sound bath. Everyone’s experience is different and please know that I’m here to support you after the session should you have any questions.
BY: Shawn Brown
Click here to sign up for Shawn’s first Sunday Slowdown at Soulage August 25 at 6pm. Which will include sound healing. This is included in your monthly membership.