What is a Sound Bath ?
Sound bath meditation is the practice of lying on a yoga mat with pillow and blanket, to experience a deep meditation and deep rest, while meditative sounds are played live in the room. This is a wonderful way to promote the deep rest and relaxation necessary for self-healing. Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of the right kind of meditation, can provide the body with the equivalent of 3-4 hours sleep!
During a Sound Bath meditation, there will be no sound therapy instruments placed on the body, like there is during a clinical treatment. This is why you will not be asked to complete a medical history questionaire as you would be required to do in private for a clinical treatment. Sound Bath is a meditation for self-healing. You will experience pure gentle rest and relaxation as your mind and body are bathed in the wonderful soothing sounds of Himalayan singing bowls, Crystal singing bowls, Sacred Gongs, Shaman drum, chimes, handpan, flute and other sound therapy instruments expertly played live in the room.
What’s not to love about a sound bath?
What’s all this About Warnings and Contraindications? Is a Sound Bath Dangerous?
Common Sense Health Advice for Sound Bath
Does an orchestra give health warnings to the public when advertising a concert?
– Of course they don’t.
Do the musicians in a traditional irish music session give health warnings to the public when advertising their sessions?
– Of course they don’t.
Sound bath meditation is an ideal method of inducing deep rest & relaxation for stress reduction, beneficial for healthy people of all ages. Sound meditation is suitable for almost everyone – good common sense is always essential.
For example:
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- Sensory Overload
Some individuals who are overly sensitive may find the experience of sound bath meditation overwhelming. - Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Those with certain medical conditions, including epilepsy should consult with their Doctor or specialist for advice before attending a sound bath. - Psychological Disorders
Sound baths may trigger an unwanted psychological or emotional response in some people who have certain psychological disorders. Including those who are experiencing unresolved trauma or grief.
- Sensory Overload
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If you have a medical condition and you are not sure if sound bath meditation will be suitable for you, please ask your Doctor so you can be sure. Only your Doctor is legally qualified and fully informed with your medical history to provide you with the most accurate advice for your situation.
Sound Bath meditation is a great way to experience deep rest and relaxation, and is perfectly safe for healthy people of all ages.
Preparation – 1 Day Before
So you have booked your Sound Bath and are looking forward to it! Well done for giving yourself some much needed rest. To assist with this process there are some things you can to to prepare yourself.
Some preparation you can do the day before attending a Sound Bath meditation.
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- Drink adequate water. You should aim to drink the equivalent of one 250ml glass every two hours or equivalent to 8 glasses per day. Being sufficiently hydrated will greatly assist your body’s natural self-healing process, which happens when you are asleep, but also happens while you are meditating in the sound bath.
- Avoid Alcohol. Alcohol will dehydrate your body. The Sound Bath will trigger your body into self-healing mode, which usually happens when you are asleep. This includes the elimination of toxins which got there as a result of your daily metabolic processes in the body. If you are dehydrated you may experience a headache after the sound bath as your body won’t remove the cellular waste effectively.
- Get a good night’s sleep! This is essential as you don’t want to be snoring during the sound bath and have the Facilitator wake you up.
Preparation – On the Day
Some preparation you can do on the day.
- Drink adequate water. You should aim to drink the equivalent of one glass every 2 hours, and stop drinking water 1 hour before.
- Avoid eating eggs or baked beans. You may break wind during the sound bath and this would be so embarrassing!
- Avoid alcohol as this may contribute to dehydration.
Preparation – 1 Hour Before
Some things you can do 1 hour before the Sound Bath to ensure you get the best experience.
- Avoid food or drink less than 1 hour before the sound bath. This will ensure your digestive system can be fully relaxed so you will get the best experience from the Sound Bath meditation.
- Bring pillow and blank and a duvet for your comfort.
After-Care Information
After a sound bath meditation: Drink adequate water to assist your body’s natural self-healing process. This means the equivalent of 1 x 250ml glass of water every 2 hours, or 8 glasses per day. This is what you should be drinking every day.
Healing Crisis
The natural phenomena known as the “Healing Crisis” may occur for an individual after a sound bath meditation, if a significant balancing of the body’s energy and energetic “detox” or self-healing has taken place as a result of the sound bath meditation. This may appear as feelings of being unwell for the next few days, even catching a cold, as the body continues its self-healing process and adjusts its energies back into natural balance. This doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen from time to time.
To avoid any chance of a “healing crisis” it is essential to drink adequate water (for at least 4 days after) which is 8 glasses of pure fresh water per day or the equivalent of one 250ml glass of water every 2 hours is required for adequate hydration of the body and good health.
Emotional Release
Some individuals may experience an emotional release either during, or in the days after a sound bath, and may experience the need to cry. This is also known as a cathartic release. Crying is the body’s way of removing excess energy. Children do this naturally when a stressful situation gets too much for them and they become overwhelmed. This is a completely natural occurrence and is the result of your body’s natural self-healing process shifting and clearing stuck, dense energies which no longer serve a purpose. What should you do if you suffer an emotional release? Most importantly – breath slowly and gently and fully wake yourself up. Remind yourself that you are in present time now and you are completely safe. Eat healthy whole food (not processed) and be sure to get enough sleep.
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Disclaimer:
The information provided on this web page is for information purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition and would like to know if sound bath meditation will be suitable for you, please ask your Doctor as we are unable to advise if sound bath is or is or isn’t good for you. Only your Doctor has your medical history and qualified to give correct and accurate advice for your situation.
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Author Sharon Quigley is a SHAI Registered Sound Therapist, RYT200 Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Professional Musician, and current student of Naturopathic Medicine.
Founder of Irish Academy of Sound Therapy and Senior Clinical Advisor to the Sound Healing Association of Ireland (SHAI)