The benefits of Sound Healing you might not know about
Everything in our world has a vibrational frequency, including us, which makes sense that different sound frequencies impact the way we feel. This might make more sense when you think about your favourite song and how it makes you feel also the way that different music affects us differently. Sound healing plays upon these feelings as well.
Usually, how a sound healing session works is by having you lay on a mat, maybe covered in a blanket, which keeps your body temperature balanced, with a dedicated practitioner using different sound bowls with various frequencies while you bathe in the sound and vibrations coming from those sound bowls. Roxie Sarhangi, a certified sound healing practitioner based in Los Angeles, describes it as a "meditative acoustic sound concert." The sound frequencies then slow down brain waves to a deeply restorative state, which activates the body's system of self-healing. Unlike yoga, there are no physical fitness or flexibility requirements, and it’s something that can be equally enjoyed by new and experienced practitioners alike.
Even though Sound Healing has grown in popularity in the last few years, the practice itself dates back as far as 40.000 years to when indigenous Australians used ancient didgeridoos for healing. Sound healing practices were also used by Ancient Egyptians in their sound chambers built inside of pyramids.
What are the health benefits of sound healing?
Relaxing your mind
Deep relaxation is one of the most significant and universal benefits of sound therapy. The sounds permeate our system returning it back to harmony. So if you take nothing else away from a sound healing session, relaxation on its own is worth it. With our busy schedules and so much going on in the world, we can all use some chill vibes.
Clearing energetic blockages
Some people experience deep healing during sound healing sessions. The sound vibrations allow you to open energetic blockages that you might not be aware of. When a sound healing happens, you might feel physical sensations of being hot or cold, your legs, hands or body twitching - all of these are normal sensations. Breathe into these sensations and don’t let them distract you, instead focus on the intentions you set before the sound healing.
Setting an intention
Perhaps the most important thing before going to a sound healing is setting an intention. Have a good think about what feelings or mental blockages have been bothering you recently. Perhaps, there’s an issue with one of your relationships that you want to move past? Sound healing will help you clear your mind and attack the issue at hand when your session is done.
It supports mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
It also heals on the mental and emotional levels. Sound healing helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It balances and clears the mind, and leads to a renewed sense of purpose, well-being, calm, and happiness.
How to experience a sound bath
Many yoga studios and other wellness studios offer sound bath experiences. Speaking with local wellness practitioners — acupuncturists, reiki specialists, yoga teachers — may guide you to a local sound bath experience. You also may be able to set up a private sound bath experience with a practitioner. This may be in-person or remote.
You’ll want to come to your sound bath experience early and wear comfortable clothes. It’s also a good idea to come hydrated. You may want to eat a light meal, but don’t want to be overly full (which may lead to you falling asleep) and want to steer clear of alcohol prior to the experience.
After the sound bath, you may feel dreamy or relaxed. Take the time you need to “come out” of the sound bath. It can be a good idea to have a sound bath at night and then go to sleep without focusing on screens or devices.
#onebreathatatime
Written by: Jonas Leskevicius