What are sound baths?

In our fast-paced, digitally connected world, people are constantly looking for ways to unplug, slow down, and take a breath. As we gravitate toward more novel and immersive wellness experiences, one ancient form of meditation has experienced a surge of popularity within the past decade: sound baths.

HISTORY OF SOUND HEALING

The history of sound healing goes back thousands of years. Greek physicians used musical instruments to heal patients, tapping into the power of vibration to aid in digestion, treat mental disturbance, and promote sleep. The ancient Egyptians described musical incantations to help heal the sick. Native Americans used singing, chanting, and drums as part of the sound healing process. 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.

WHAT IS A SOUND BATH?

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

But exactly how do sound baths work? We asked a few sound healers to give us insight into the art and science of sound healing. 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.

“The beauty of working with sound in meditation is that it can quite literally tune us into a state of calm and peace,” says Avery Whitmore, an LA-based sound healer. “Our brain will naturally begin to synchronize with the rhythm of music, so as we play slower, calming rhythms, we can ease our mind into slower brain wave states.”

BENEFITS OF SOUND BATHS

Sound baths offer us a spa-like retreat from the everyday. Carving out even 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 in your schedule. 

As to how you will feel after a sound bath — there’s a wide range of emotions that come up for people, from blissful to spaced out. But most people feel an overall sense of relaxation.

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

1. Calms your body and mind

2. Reduces stress and anxiety

3. Increases focus and clarity

4. Decreases tension and fatigue 

5. Boosts your mood and reduces feelings of anger

6. Improves sleep

7. Elevates feelings of spiritual well-being