What Is Sound Bath?

While sound baths might seem like a modern wellness trend, the practice of using sound for healing has been around for thousands of years. Sound has been known to promote relaxation, which is essential for well-being and healing. This deep relaxation activates our Autonomic Nervous System, which controls functions such as our heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and breathing. The Autonomic Nervous System is composed of two parts: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems.

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, which kicks in when the body feels stressed or in danger. Our fast-paced modern lifestyle can easily overstimulate the SNS, keeping it in a constant state of overactivity.

This prolonged activation can lead to symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, weakened immune function, and increased susceptibility to illness. Chronic stress results in the continuous release of cortisol, a hormone meant for short-term stress responses. When cortisol levels stay elevated over time, it can lead to physical and mental burnout, as well as issues like heightened anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 

PXL_20241122_133623391
IMG_8270_hq
PXL_20240105_223119909
IMG_4632[1]_hq
PXL_20230909_181705485
PXL_20241012_140328902
PXL_20231103_132144820
PXL_20240515_125248390 (1)

On the other hand, the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) promotes rest and recovery. By helping the body relax, sound baths can shift us into a parasympathetic state, bring a sense of calm, improve digestion and circulation, and lower our heart rate and respiration. This also activates the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in reducing symptoms associated with anxiety.

Sound baths use a variety of instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, and drums, to create soothing vibrations. These sounds help guide brainwaves from the faster, stress-related BETA state to slower, more relaxed ALPHA and THETA states.  

During a sound bath session, an intuitive practitioner plays the instruments to promote these states of deep relaxation, so our body can heal. 

* Source: Sound Healing Academy

It is known that regular sound baths can also reduce chronic stress and inflammation. It can further deepen the connection with our inner Self, with the Universe, and with others.