What is a Sound Bath? 

Sound healing, Vibrational Therapy, Sound Energy Medicine use sound, vibration and frequencies to gently transition a person from their normal waking state of consciousness to a highly relaxed state of consciousness. In this relaxed state, a person’s own innate healing abilities are able to work more effectively to bring the person back into optimal vibrational alignment that enhances overall health and well-being.

How does it work?

Sound healing effects your nervous system and your endocrine system.   Your nervous system deals with lightning-like responses throughout your nerves and nerve endings.  Your endocrine system is similar but it is a little slower, hormonal responses travel through your bloodstream.  But they both deal with your bodies energy and involve your chakras (your body’s energy centers).

Everything in reality, including our bodies, is made up of vibrating energy.  Everybody knows about pulling a muscle or breaking a bone, but anxiety/stress, becoming ill, or certain things we expose our bodies to (pollutants, chemicals, highly processed food, etc.) can effect your energy centers, your cells vibrations, and the energy flowing through your body.  And when that happens your body will communicate to you in the form of pain, exhaustion or depression.  When that happens most people go to a therapist or get a massage, but sound healing can also be part of the solution. 

Sound healing works through a process called entrainment, which is through playing certain frequencies, your cells will mimic the vibrations that comes from those frequencies.  Entrainment can apply to your cells, your heartbeat, even your  brainwaves.  When they start vibrating in harmony with some external rhythm, they synchronize their behavior and attune themselves to the stronger more powerful vibration.

This works because vibrations travel through the air (hearing sounds), through matter (hearing a firetruck outside through a wall), or through water (whales can communicate through water thousands of miles away).  Sound travels five times faster in water than it does air, and since our bodies are made up of 50-75% water, it is very effective. 

What happens during a Sound Bath? 

Generally people lay on a yoga mat with their eyes closed.  It is recommended that you begin by simply listening to the sounds being played.  You also might envision yourself in a place of peace (a beach, a forest, somewhere tranquil).  As you lay there the goal is to reach a meditative state.

A meditative state stated simply, is the process of quieting your mind.  When we find ourselves in a quiet place, our mind tends to disrupt that silence by thinking of tasks we need to complete, or wondering if we remembered to do something, or things that irritated us.  Meditation is a state where your are able to quiet the thoughts and simply be.  In the case of sound healing, you focus on the sound you are hearing or vibrations you are feeling and you enter a state of relaxation.

In order to meditate you must be fully present and quiet your mind, specifically your lower voice.  Your lower voice is when your are thinking thoughts (distractions, worry, stress).  When you meditate you listen for your higher voice.  Your higher voice is when you are receiving thoughts (subtle thoughts) from your higher self.

Do I have to lay down during the sound bath?  

Most people prefer to lay on a yoga mat, some people prefer to sit in a meditation pose (Lotus pose or Seiza position aka Kneeling position), others prefer to sit in a chair. Whatever is the most comfortable for you to relax in for the length of the session.   

What should I wear?  

Anything that you feel relaxed and comfortable wearing.  For example, sweatpants and shirts, yoga clothing, pajamas, etc.  We recommend layers. Some people’s body temperature fluctuates and they tend to get chilly during meditation.  It is said that when you get cold, that is old unwanted energy being released from the body. 

What should I bring?  

Anything that will make you comfortable and help bring you to a meditative state.  Yoga mat, pillow, blanket, eye mask / light shield, water bottle.  Please bring ear plugs if you have a hearing sensitivity. Ear plugs will protect your ear drums from any unwanted frequencies while still receiving the benefit of the vibrations from those instruments.

What are the benefits of a Sound Bath? 

On the physical level - sound works with the body; it can cleanse the organs of toxins and help to regulate their functions as each has its own frequency.  Benefits include improved circulation, digestion, and respiration.  Additionally it helps with lowering inflammation,  stimulating the immune system and helping get better sleep.  It can also help to relieve constipation, headaches, throat problems, stomach-aches, and aches in the joints and bones.

On an emotional level - sound helps to move and release emotions which are stored in the body.  Through this process old patterns and behaviors which are no longer serving one’s highest good are released.  The release of these emotions allows for a greater flow of energy throughout the body by clearing energy blockages and releasing stagnant energy.  This flow of energy also strengthens and balances each chakra, bringing about greater emotional stability.

On a mental level - sound can assist in relieving stress which is often held in the head area, particularly tension headaches or migraines.  It also helps to quiet repetitive thought patterns from a busy mind and relaxes one into a meditative state where deep inner silence and stillness is experienced.

On a spiritual level - sound can clear negative energies or entities that may be attached to one’s aura or any other part of one’s being.  It also helps to align your chakras and getting your Chi (life force) flowing.

As a Sound Healing Facilitator, are you licensed to practice medicine? 

No. I am not a licensed health professional. As such, I will not diagnose, prescribe substances, perform medical treatment, or interfere with the treatment of qualified physician or other licensed medical professional.  Sound healing is not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment.  The services I offer are considered complimentary to traditional Western medical practices.

Are there any negative effects of a sound bath? 

During the sound bath your body might get very cold, which is a result of your body releasing old unwanted energy.  You might feel somewhat tired, experience a mild headache, you may feel hungry or thirsty, or you might experience an emotional release, you may also feel a range of emotions, such as feeling agitated or uncomfortable.

 If you have a sound sensitivity, it is recommended that you bring and wear ear plugs. The crystal sound bowls give off a deep reverberating sound that some people find to be loud. The vibrations will still enter your body and work on your cells.

Please consult with your healthcare provider prior to a sound bath if you have a pacemaker, implanted pumps/devices, epilepsy, if you are pregnant, or if you have any medical concerns.  

** Sound baths are not recommended if you have a pacemaker.

Why shouldn’t people who have pacemakers attend a sound bath?

Because the session may interfere with the pacemaker.

Loud sounds are everywhere in our modern environment. Pacemakers will not malfunction due to loud noises or music.

Here’s what you need to understand: Your pacemaker’s ability to speed up your heartrate as needed works by sensing vibration. Usually that means the vibration produced by movement. But as you know, sound is also vibration. Ordinarily, it isn’t strong enough to affect the pacemaker’s accelerometer. But occasionally, particularly with very low frequencies that resonate in your chest, if you are close to the sound source, the pacemaker will speed up your heart a little in response, and you may feel a little flutter.

The same thing can happen in a car on a bumpy road. In that case the vibration is caused by bumping up and down.

In either cases, there is no danger. The sound or bumping will not cause the pacemaker to runaway. In a fraction of a second, as soon as the vibration stops or goes below threshold, the rate will return to normal. Speeding up for a second or two will not harm your heart. Hearts are intended to speed up and slow down.

So will the sound “interfere” with your pacemaker? Only in the same way and for the same reason that the vibration caused by performing the yoga postures “interferes”.

What are Chakras?  

The seven main energy centers in the body that control your Universal Life Force (your Prana, Chi/Ki, your Soul.)