Generally, my Sunday evenings are reserved for taking a bath and getting comfortable on the couch with a good book, but tonight I am lying on the floor of a Pilates studio taking a different kind of bath – a sound bath.
“Gently place one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart,” the teacher instructs. She starts gently dinging a bowl and softly chanting.
What transpires over the next hour is a series of different sounds. My mind begins to quiet and I enter a state of deep rest, similar to the moments just before you drop off to sleep. Unlike other forms of relaxation like yoga or tai chi, there’s no physical exertion, you simply tune in to tune out.
“Sound is an easily accessible, tangible and familiar way to access deep states and feelings of bliss,” explains Natalie Grace, a Sydney-based sound healing practitioner. “We all use music for motivation, relaxation, mood-setting and even reminiscing.”
How sound healing works
Sound healing is an ancient therapeutic practice. Practitioners employ instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks and the human voice to create sounds designed to induce a meditative state, enhance relaxation and stimulate healing processes within the body.
“Sound is such a versatile tool … We hear it through our ears and process it with our minds, but also physically feel it when instruments are placed close to or on our bodies, or certain frequencies and volumes are played,” says Natalie.
On a physical level, it can help alleviate pain, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. It’s also said to enhance mental clarity and creativity.
What the research says about sound baths
It might seem a bit woo-woo, but studies have shown that sound vibrations may influence our brainwave activity. For example, certain frequencies can shift brainwaves from the active beta state to the more relaxed alpha and theta states, similar to those experienced during meditation. This shift can reduce stress, enhance focus and promote a sense of well-being.
A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that participants who underwent sound meditation experienced significant reductions in tension, anger, fatigue and depressed mood.
“Sound waves work to release tension on many levels from the physical by helping your muscles relax, to mental and emotional, evoking feelings of being nurtured and clearing the mind,” confirms Natalie.
Who it can help – and who should steer clear
Benefits are felt by most people after a single session, but Natalie recommends a minimum of four to enjoy long-term benefits. Like with any alternative therapy, finding a qualified practitioner is paramount as it’s not suitable for everybody.
“Pregnant women in their first trimester need to be careful of certain frequencies, as do people with forms of sound-induced epilepsy. Precautions also need to be taken with implants, certain heart and nerve conditions, as well as severe mental health conditions,” advises Natalie.
While it can be replicated to an extent at home by listening to pre-recorded sounds, for the full experience it’s worth booking a professionally run session.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Pick up the latest issue from your local newsagent, or subscribe so you never miss an issue.
