Sound Bath Meditation

Sound therapy seems like a new form of healing, especially from stress and mental fatigue. But it has been around since ancient times for healing. One way to heal thru sounds is via sound baths. Sound bath meditation is becoming a new healing trend for people who want to get away from the busy hustle of everyday life. Or for people who need physical healing. But what is a sound bath? What benefits do you get after a sound bath experience? 

What is a sound bath?

A sound bath is a meditative practice wherein a person lies on his back and is bathed with sound waves and variations. The sound waves produced during the sound bath sessions are from sound healing instruments like gongs, tuning forks, crystal bowls and even humming. Music played during these sound bath sessions does not follow specific beats and patterns. It is a combination of vibrations from sound healing instruments and the voices of sound bath participants.

How does sound bath work?

A sound bath is usually performed in a room with the sound bath participants lying on their backs. A sound healer plays different sound healing instruments like gongs, crystal bowls, singing bowl and tuning forks that produces vibrations and sound waves. Sound waves produced by these instruments align with the body’s natural frequency that travels throughout the body. This aims to remove the blockage of the energy to flow freely in the body and to create a balance of the mind, body and soul.

Sound bath benefits

You may be asking what can I expect after a sound bath? or how can a good sound bath experience be beneficial for the body? Here are some physical and mental health benefits of sound baths.

1. Relieve mental stress
2. Lessen anxiety
3. Reduces tension, anger and confusion 
4. Improves sleep
5. Promotes mental, emotional and spiritual well-being
6. Calms the body and the mind
7. Physical pain reduction

How do you give someone a sound bath?

There are many ways to give someone or yourself a sound bath. When attending a sound bath session, a sound healer will play sound healing instruments to create vibrations. Multiple instruments are used to create a healing environment for a few minutes. During this kind of healing bath, sound baths allow you to focus your mind on the different sounds you hear and vibrations you feel. They allow a person to meditate or to be in a state of trance or deep sleep that induces relaxation of the mind.

You can also do a sound bath at home. Many healers are hosting virtual sound bath sessions that allow you to meditate and experience the benefits of sound baths in the comfort of your own home. Or if you want to create a personal sound bath, you can shop for different sound healing instruments and play them on your own. But before creating your own sound meditation session, always make research and study important information to guide you on your sound bath.

Sound bath instruments

1. Tuning forks

Tuning forks used in healing sound baths produce different vibrations that resonate with the body’s wavelengths. These vibrations travel throughout the body and promote the flow of energy.  

2. Crystal bowls or singing bowls

Multiple crystal bowls are used in a sound bath session. Crystal bowls or singing bowls varies in size. Each size creates a different sound and vibration. These different sounds and vibrations have multiple frequencies that can heal different ailments.  

3. Gongs

Gongs have many different uses in Asian traditions. One of which is gong bath meditations. Gong baths is a meditation practice wherein different sizes of gongs are played to create different sound and frequencies.

4. Humming/singing

Chanting and singing can also be used for sound baths. The most common chant is using the word OM. Although this kind of meditation does not put a person to sleep, it produces an altered state of consciousness that can promote healing and relaxation.

5. Chimes  

Chimes consist of rods of different sizes usually made from either glass or metal. Each rod creates a different tune but when played in unison, creates a healing sound that benefits the mind and the body.  

Is sound bath different from music therapy?

Although these two practices both use sound to heal, they have some differences. A sound bath is usually performed as yoga or as a guided meditation. Instruments used in this kind of healing practice use sound vibrations and wavelengths to alleviate mental and emotional stress. 

While in music therapy, a healer uses music for healing. They can either listen, play and create music using healing instruments that can alleviate ailments and stress.

What happens to the body during a sound bath?

During a sound bath, the body’s wavelength is stimulated. They provide an environment for a deep and meditative state of mind and body that can promote healing. Sound baths have different effects on every person. Some may experience a feeling of deep meditation while others can feel a diaphanous and dreamy state.

What is a Reiki sound bath?

The word Reiki comes from the Japanese words “Rei” meaning universal and “Ki” meaning life energy. Reiki is a type of healing energy that aims to remove the blockage and help the flow of energy throughout the body. It is believed that the steady flow of energy in the body can promote relaxation, speed up healing, relieves pains and reduces symptoms of illnesses.

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