What is a Soundbath?
Welcome. Curious about soundbaths? Let’s start with the basics and then take it from there. A soundbath is the name for when a practitioner, musician, or guide performs various instruments, sounds, and/or voice to give the receiver (who is typically laying down in a restful position in a dark or dimly lit room) a space to relax and be embraced by the sounds and vibrations. This calming can come in the form of a body relaxation, and this may also come in the form of mental relaxation.
A soundbath has many positive benefits other than deep relaxation, some include: strengthening the immune system, reducing stress and anxiety, balancing energy, and improving sleep.
During a soundbath you’ll likely hear crystal singing bowls, which are typically large frosted white bowls made of crystal. Their sound can be very deep, sharp, penetrating, and resonating. Additional instruments may also be performed during a soundbath — various sounds may affect you in various ways. These vibrations may induce visuals, pictures, or colors. Or they can also bring up all types of memories or physical sensations. When participating in a soundbath, it is best to come with a positive and open heart. If there is ever discomfort, breathe into it and it will pass. The sounds created in the soundbath are intended to uplift, grow, and relax.
My Soundbath Instruments
Crystal Singing Bowls
Crystal singing bowls are made of almost pure quartz (essentially 99.8% silicon quartz crystal) in a process that heats the bowl to about 4000 degrees. Crystal singing bowls are clear or frosted and are made in a variety of sizes. Crystal bowls can be created to resonate specific sound frequencies and these frequencies have been shown to interact positively with the body. The body also has a natural affinity to quartz. On a molecular level, our cells contains silica, which balances our electromagnetic energies. Crystal acts as an oscillator, magnifying and transmitting pure tone. As the sounds affect brainwave activity one can enter into an altered state of consciousness.
Relaxes the Mind
Your mind is constantly processing thoughts, often on perpetual repeat. Crystal singing bowls help stop this thought process, allowing you to relax deeply. Some of the benefits of this relaxing therapy include the following:
Effectively reduces stress and anxiety
Relieves physical pain
Improves mental and emotional clarity
Cleanses and balances chakras
Stimulates the immune system
Meditation and Healing
Crystal singing bowls help you meditate by creating more awareness in your mind. Being aware of your thoughts can help you change your negative thinking patterns and move towards positivity.
Improve Sleep
Crystal singing bowls have the ability to slow your brain wave patterns, creating more delta waves. These are the dominant waves present during your sleep. In this way, singing bowls can help bring deep relaxation by releasing your stress and worries.
— Excerpt from Shanti Bowl.
Each instrument has a story to share. These are some of the other instruments I use.
Handpan
Chakapa
Bullroarer
Tambura
Wind Chimes
Tingsha
Experiencing a Guided Soundbath Journey
“Everything is as it’s supposed to be. Be good to yourself and where you are on your journey.”
Throughout the soundbath experience you may very well reach deep meditative states. In in these states we are taken on a journey within ourselves. Navigating these areas has its blissful moments as well as moments for growth. Learning from these highs and lows leads us forward as we journey through self discovery. During the soundbath, pleasant sounds may coincide with your bliss and additionally, clashing and pulsing sounds may create tension. In those moments I often prescribe the breath with intention — deep diaphragmatic belly breaths where the exhale is longer than the inhale (this slows down the heart rate and gives you more control of your body and mind) along with mindful attention on what needs to be relaxed. In yoga it’s often a tight muscle that needs to be relaxed, in meditation it’s often the thoughts and emotions that need to be relaxed. With calm exhales, a racing thought may float away like a cloud. A breath of calm acceptance is the practice and growth where peace results.
There are other ways to experience a soundbath as well. There are many positive benefits like improving your physical health, deepening sleep, helping the immune system, reducing stress, the list continues. All these reasons for soundbathing are warmly welcomed on your personal journey. I feel that if one is seeking wellness, and a soundbath at its heart is wellness, then your individual energy is moving in a positive direction. And collectively if we’re all moving positively during the soundbath (and through life), then we’re all moving in the same direction regardless of individual intention. I invite you to explore and grow with the soundbath while at the same time being respectful and acceptant of those who are sharing the space with you.
While sharing space during a soundbath, sometimes you may fall asleep or hear someone falling asleep. To state it bluntly, you should do your best to not fall asleep. With a body asleep + mind awake state you’ll be able to receive the most out of the soundbath and additionally you will not disturb those around you who are hoping to focus or remove unnecessary distractions.
I’ve jokingly thought about doing a nap soundbath specifically for a group of people to nap together in a room, just like in kindergarten. Until then, let’s calmly enjoy the sounds together. Thank you for reading. I hope to share my soundbath with you soon. May you be the light that you already are.
— Graham
