The Short Version
Sound therapy is a meditative experience where you bathe in vibrations of sound to relax. Lie down, get comfy and let the sound of the crystal singing bowls, gongs and chimes wash over you.
We host sound baths here at Cosmic Tree with Marie House, Intuitive Healer. Find the next date on our events page.
What Is Sound Therapy?
Sound therapy, sometimes called sound healing, covers any practice that uses sound and vibration to help you unwind. That can mean singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, chimes, drums or the voice. People have used sound like this for thousands of years, in chanting, drumming and ceremony all over the world.
It isn’t the same as music therapy. In the UK, music therapy is a registered health profession, regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. Sound therapy is a complementary wellbeing practice. It sits alongside medical care, never in place of it.
What Is a Sound Bath?
A sound bath is a group session where you “bathe” in sound. There’s no water involved! You lie on a mat or sit in a chair, usually with a blanket and a pillow, and close your eyes. The practitioner then plays instruments around the room, slowly building layers of sound and letting them fade away.
Sessions often last around an hour. You don’t need any experience and there’s nothing to learn. All you have to do is lie back and listen. Some people drift off to sleep, and that’s fine too.
What Does a Sound Bath Do to the Body?
Here is what people tend to notice during a session:
- Your breathing slows down. Lying still with long, gentle sounds gives your body a cue to settle.
- You feel the sound as well as hear it. Low notes from gongs and large bowls create vibrations you can feel through the floor and in your chest.
- Your mind quietens. Following the sound gives your thoughts something to rest on, a bit like meditation.
- You drift between awake and asleep. Many people describe a dreamy, floaty state.
You may read that sound baths “retune” your brainwaves or cells. There isn’t good evidence for that yet. Researchers are still looking at how sound affects the body, and most studies so far have been small.
Sound Bath Benefits
The main reason people come back is simple: it feels good. People often say they leave feeling:
- calm and relaxed
- less tense
- clearer in their head
- ready for a good night’s sleep
A 2017 study of 62 adults found people reported less tension, anger and tiredness, and a better mood, after a singing bowl meditation. It had no comparison group, so it can’t prove the bowls caused the change. A 2020 review of singing bowl studies said the research so far is limited and more is needed.
There’s also the social side. Spending an evening lying in a warm room with other people, switched off from your phone, is a treat in itself.
Who Should Not Do a Sound Bath?
Sound baths are gentle, but they aren’t right for everyone. Please speak to your doctor and tell the practitioner before booking if any of these apply to you:
- Epilepsy, especially if your seizures can be set off by sound.
- Pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Many practitioners also avoid placing instruments on the body during pregnancy.
- A pacemaker or other implanted device, because strong vibrations close to the body may not be suitable.
- Tinnitus, hearing sensitivity or sound-triggered migraines. You can often still join in if you lie further from the instruments.
- Recent surgery, a fracture or a serious heart condition.
- Serious mental health conditions, such as psychosis or severe PTSD. Deep relaxation can sometimes bring up strong emotions.
If you’re not sure, ask! A good practitioner will be happy to talk it through and adjust the session where they can.
Sound Baths at Cosmic Tree With Marie House
We’re lucky to host sound baths at Cosmic Tree with Marie House, Intuitive Healer. Marie is based in Brockworth, Gloucester, and offers sound healing, Reiki, crystal therapy, reflexology, massage and more.
Come along on your own or bring a friend. To find out more about Marie and her other treatments, visit mariehouseintuitivehealer.com.
Keep an eye on our events page for the next sound bath date.
What to Bring
- Comfy, loose clothes and warm socks
- A water bottle
- Your own blanket or pillow if you like extra comfort
Sources
- Goldsby TL et al. (2017). Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine.
- Stanhope J, Weinstein P (2020). The human health effects of singing bowls: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
This guide is for general information only. Sound baths are a complementary practice and not a medical treatment. Always speak to your doctor about any health condition.
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