Thursday, May 18, 2017

Sound Baths

Tibetan Ringing Bowl

                If you are one of those people for whom meditation is more torture than tranquility, good news! The sound bath is for you! It's a type of meditation that is great for people who are terrible at meditation. It is actually great for everyone precisely because it is an effortless form of meditation.
          Sound baths are part of the mind/body/spirit wellness movement and are rapidly growing in popularity. A sound bath session typically lasts about an hour and involves the playing of various resonant musical instruments to induce a state of deep relaxation.
          Youthologie is featuring sound baths, starting with an event Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Sound has been used in healing for millennia; and, although it is not clear where the sound bath originated, the Integratron in Joshua Tree, California is perhaps the most famous place where sound bath work has been developed in recent years. Many more practitioners have now come on the scene.
          One of the reasons sound baths have become more prominent is that people are looking for a refuge from the stress and toxicity of modern life with its ceaseless electronics, technology and stream of often depressing information, not to mention the cacophony of traffic, alarms, sirens, phones ringing, landscaping engines and other noise pollution that generally surrounds us all day, every day.  the beauty of the sound bath is there is no way to "do it wrong".  People often feel inadequate at meditating--they find it difficult to quiet the mind and feel they are failing at it. The sound bath removes those obstacles by inducing an almost instantaneous state of deep meditation without requiring any effort on the part of attendees. The experience is virtually always positive and grounding.
          Another advantage of the sound bath is that it can be performed as an individual or a group experience. A group experience is very affordable, averaging $30-$50 per person.
          How does a sound bath work? The human body, with its large percentage of water content, is an excellent conductor of sound. As sound moves through space, the human body resonates with the sound frequencies. Sound has overtones or harmonics which also resonate with the body; and sound frequencies, waves and rhythms are capable of entraining brainwaves. During a sound bath typically brainwaves are entrained to a low (delta) frequency, which is like a state of deep meditation. We also experience delta brainwaves in deep sleep and in states of concentrated focus like hypnosis. Delta brainwaves are known to promote healing. Other benefits include decreased stress hormones, reduced stress, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, lower respiratory rate, immune system enhancement and in interesting phenomenon whereby delta frequency brainwaves have a tendency to connect or link the right and left halves of the brain.
          What can you expect at a sound bath? As you enter a calm and soothing environment, redolent of aromatic essential oils, you will take off your shoes, turn off your phone and lie on the yoga mat you brought with you. You can also bring a pillow or pillows for your head or under your knees. An eye mask is provided to keep light out, and blankets are available. The experience is never exactly the same, but uses instruments like crystal ringing bowls, monolinas (stringed harps), chimes, shells, drums and tuning forks.  You will begin by taking deep breaths, setting your intention for the session and then just relaxing and allowing your body, mind and spirit to be completely surrounded by the rich ocean of sound. There will be some guided imagery and some vocalization to enrich the experience. The arc of treatment usually begins softly and gradually swells to a fuller wave of sound. the sound undulates in waves, slowly waning and waxing to enchant and delight attendees. Participants often say the experience feels timeless, weightless and euphoric.    
          How should you prepare for a sound bath? Wear comfortable clothing, plan to be in the experience for a total of about 75 minutes and expect to enjoy the experience as you allow the sound massage to open your inner universe.  It's meant to induce a calm state of rest and relaxation. You may be tempted to fall asleep; and that's okay, too.
             What about after the sound bath? You will probably feel the need to drink extra water, and you may urinate more than usual as the sound bath can have a mild detoxifying effect. You may sleep more soundly after a sound bath, and you may tolerate stress more easily.
          Space is limited, so make your reservation now for the next sound bath at Youthologie.
          Phone 919-847-1495

No comments:

Post a Comment