THE EXPERIENCE:  A sound bath is a form of vibrational therapy where sounds from various musical instruments—especially Tibetan singing bowls—are played in an enclosed space so they flow through your body as you meditate in a relaxed state.

WHO IT MIGHT HELP:

• People suffering from muscular tension.
• People with depression, anxiety and/or negative moods.
• People with chronic pain.
• People with chronic fatigue.
• People who feel disconnected from their spiritual well-being.

RESEARCH & REASONS TO BELIEVE:

• Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension and Well-being
• What is a Sound Bath: Everything you need to know

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I scheduled a Friday afternoon session at The Sound Room at Polaris. It turned out that my sister-in-law (who went with me) and I were the only ones who had scheduled that time despite the fact that the room would have held two dozen or more participants.

In the center of the room were several tables holding various crystal and metal singing bowls, a pan pipe, a bodhrán, and a gong. Around the outside of the room were lounge chairs covered in plush blankets with electric candles at the foot of each one.

After a brief introduction by the owner on what to expect, the lights were turned down, and the owner began a spoken guided meditation. About 10 minutes in to the meditation, she began with the instruments.

The budhrán was especially comforting to me. My energy spiraled strongly when she played the big singing bowls. I felt pulsing in my hands and feet when she sang. The gong was the most powerful feeling to me as I felt like I was a part of the strong vibration, that I was glowing and floating above the lounge chair.

Personally, I felt like I was on a journey. My right side twitched quite a bit for a little while and I had some pains in my right joints from shoulder to ankle. I was able to relax physically, but my mind struggled to quiet.

While the actual event felt more like a spiritual experience, I noticed the pain I had in my right shoulder and left hip from a strong workout earlier in the week was gone when we left and did not return.

TIPS & THINGS TO KNOW:

• Items like wallets, purses, phones, etc. were not allowed in the sound room to ensure no disrupts in the sound and vibrations. Had I known that, I might have locked my items in my car. The owner locked the door to the place, but I admit I worried about my wallet and car keys for a while which made it harder to calm my mind.
• As the meditation began, the owner told us to close our eyes and keep them closed. That’s always been a challenge for me, so I wished I had brought my sleeping mask to help me keep my eyes closed.
• I chose to have my lounge chair somewhat elevated and used one of my blankets as a pillow and the other under my knees. Part way through the sound bath, I wished I had lowered my lounge chair to flat and used one of the blankets as cover since I was chilly.
• Some of the sounds triggered emotions. People who have deeply buried emotions or emotional trauma may want to take care or find a safe way to experience a sound bath.
• After the session, the owner seemed to want to talk. While the conversation was just chit chat, it seemed to take off some of the sparkle of the event. If possible, try to leave and find a few moments of solitude before moving about the rest of your day.

I truly enjoyed the sound bath and plan to return in the winter.