What is a sound bath? A first-timer’s experience

Singing bowls and symbols.

I recently had my first sound bath…no tub or water involved…but it certainly was cleansing and relaxing. I couldn’t wait to share my experience with you. 

As an avowed overthinker, my first experience with anything is bound to be at least a little stressful. Will I like this? What’s going to happen next? Am I doing it right?

My first sound bath was no different. Compounding the uneasiness was the fact that I went alone, and I was the first one to arrive, meaning there was no one’s example to follow, and I had to ask directions from the leader, a person I had never met…no easy task for an introvert like myself.

Of course, Mallory was lovely and told me where to find a mat, pillow, and blanket and the best place to set up.

Between the incense, the music, and the dim lights, I was soon at ease and taking in the surroundings, watching Mallory set up the large singing bowls and drums, and observing the other participants as they trickled in…some with their own pillows and blankets, most grabbing them from the shelf, as I had done.

Once everyone was settled on their mats, Mallory led us in some breathing exercises…first slow deep breathing and then rapid breathing in and out through the nose. Those of you familiar with yoga may recognize that as Breath of Fire.

We were then invited to lie back and get comfortable. It was at this point that I realized I was still analyzing everything and even thinking about how I might describe the sound bath in a blog post. I consciously made the decision to let my thoughts go and experience the sensations in my body and not in my head.

That’s when the real beauty started.

If you’ve never heard a singing bowl, you must. If you’ve never heard one while lying in the dark, breathing in incense, surrounded by the shared energy of other people…well, it’s hard to describe. The sound waves wash over you…around you…and through you. For me, it carried away the busyness in my head…the outside noise…the resistance. It cracked me open. I became aware of tears running down the sides of my face into my ears. They weren’t tears of sadness…or even happiness exactly…just release.

As the singing of the bowls died down, there was a moment of silence and then a drum beat right over my body…not jarring or startling…but intense. Something that was meant especially for me, yet was also benefiting those around me. The leader went around the room doing the same for each participant.

Once she made her way back to the front of the room, the light tinging of a bell signaled our time was coming to an end. We stirred, gradually coming back to our surroundings…slowly sitting up. We moved into a circle. The leader spoke, telling us that we had given ourselves and each other a gift…a gift to the world really. When you take care of yourself, you improve the condition of the universe of which you are a part. She had each of us say aloud to ourselves, “I love you and I thank you.” Then we joined hands, and went around the circle, saying to our neighbor, “I love you and I thank you.” It was a deeply personal and shared experience all in one.

I felt renewed and at peace when it was over…a feeling that lingered for several days. I’m sure I’ll be back for another sound bath before too long.

If you are interested in a succinct description of a sound bath and its benefits, read this one from healthline.

Your turn

  1. Have you ever had a sound bath? What did you think?
  2. What was the last new thing you tried? What inspired you to do it?
  3. What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love hearing from you.

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Image by magicbowls from Pixabay 

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14 Comments

  1. Well that was a new one for me! It sounds amazing Christie and I love that it was done with dim lighting to take away some of the other sensory input and also to reduce and self consciousness. I can certainly see why you’d want to go back and do it again.

  2. I’ve had yoga instructors use singing bowls during yoga meditation but not a solid session with them. I struggle with those types of quiet meditation sessions – which I’ve been told means I need them even more! I’m looking into trying a Drum Circle this summer… I found 2 close-by (within 5 miles) of our new place, both on the beach at sunset.

    1. A drum circle sounds fun, Pat. Perhaps I should try that as one of my 60 new things. I probably won’t get the beach at sunset though. That sounds divine. You might like the sound bath. I found it easier to lie quietly in a sound bath than a simple meditation, because you can focus on the energy and sound around you.

  3. I have never heard of a sound bath but now I want to try it. Thanks for introducing me to the concept, Christie. Even though it’s nothing like rieki, it sort of has the same vibe.

  4. I’ve never heard of a sound bath, where did you learn about it and find a place? Your experience sounded wonderful. I would just worry about the incense. I don’t usually love the smell and they bother my sinuses. Was it strong?

    1. Ashley told me about it. I had mine at Sacred Energy Empowerment Center, not too far from where we live. As I recall, the incense was pretty strong, but I was right at the front. It might not be as thick towards the back. I’m not sure though.

  5. Oh, my gosh!! Sign me up. I have never experienced this personally but knew what it was somehow. Not sure how. The combination of the soothing sounds, the incense, the dim lighting sounds like my version of heaven on earth. What a wonderful experience. And your description gave me all the feels of experiencing the session first hand. Wonder if anyone in El Paso provides this kind of delicious escape. Will investigate.

    1. I would definitely recommend it, Leslie. My daughter has tried several different ones and recommended the one she likes best, so I had that advantage…but I don’t know how you could go wrong with any one.

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