TS-C #5 Sound Bath and a Cleansed Soul
A Unique Journey of Relaxation: My First Experience with a Sound Bath
In this post, I’ll share how my first experience with a sound bath went. Have you ever heard of it, or are you curious to know what it’s like? Keep reading — this story is one you won’t want to miss.
A while ago, my friends invited me to try something different: "How about a Sound Bath on Saturday night, during the last supermoon of 2024?"
Now, being the spontaneous person I am, never missing an opportunity for a fun time with the girls - who knows, maybe there’ll be a round of bubbly at the end? - I immediately said Yes, sign me in!
I went without fully understanding what I was about to do or what to expect. Trusting my friends, I bought a ticket for the experience and figured I’d just let myself go with the flow, knowing it would be an adventure either way.
A sound bath is a therapeutic practice based on ancient principles, similar to those used in Eastern traditions. During a session, sounds and vibrations are used to promote deep relaxation, stress relief, and emotional balance. The science behind it suggests that sound waves can be physically felt, helping to relax tense muscles and release emotional blockages.
So, on Saturday, November 16th, at exactly 7:30 PM, the guide of the evening, with his soothing voice, invited us to begin the session. We settled on the floor—some of us better prepared than others, with blankets, pillows, and little cushions—and we were initially guided by a calm voice that said:
"Take a deep breath in and exhale through your mouth…"
"Get comfortable and begin to relax…"
"Inhale, exhale…"
"Once more…"
"Close your eyes…"
And just as I closed my eyes to listen to a soft and tranquil sound starting to be emitted, the sound gradually grew louder. New instruments joined in, and I let my mind become immersed in the sound waves gently coming and going.
The sounds were created by instruments like crystal Tibetan bowls, gongs, bells, rattles, and even nature sounds. The idea is that these vibrations penetrate the body and mind, helping induce a deep meditative state and a sense of well-being.
Although I was a first-timer at this sound bath, I was doing well until I caught myself thinking, "Wow, I’m doing great! Look at me, I’m meditating."
And just like that, this intrusive thought took me out of the zone: "Did I leave enough food for the cat?" "I need to buy that pen I like on Monday." "Tomorrow’s Sunday, I need to go to Costco." "Did I leave the Christmas tree lights on white or colored?" "What color are the socks I’m wearing?"
Andressa, stop thinking. Breathe. Clear your mind.
Inhale, exhale.
Listen to the sound. You’re here to listen to the sound and let the experience take over. Inhale, exhale. Don’t ruin the vibe. Inhale, exhale... Ahh, it’s working…
"How do they make that sound?" "What if I peek quickly?" "Is everyone else meditating except me?" "Is it normal for my back to hurt?" "Wait, forget the back, focus on the sound. Forget about it."
Inhale… exhale…
Strong sounds, soft sounds…
Inhale... exhale...
I’m not sure when it happened, but the sound became more intense, rhythmic, and then calmer again. My brain was taken by the inconsistency of the sound waves and slowly led to a darker, quieter room. There, I could see the sound, felt shivers, thought of wolves, saw stars—such a crazy good experience—and of course, no chemicals involved. Just the sound. Just the sound of gongs, flutes, rattles, and bowls playing patterns of sound that captivated my mind and made me travel and relax in ways I had never experienced before.
I know—crazy, right? But our minds are powerful, aren’t they?
Then, I woke up. I don’t know how long it lasted, but I’m still trying to figure out if I fell asleep or if I meditated deeply. But honestly, it doesn’t matter much—what matters is that I experienced it. And I love it!
I arrived with an open heart and a curious mind, and I left with a relaxed mind, a peaceful body, a joy for having tried something new for well-being, and a strong desire to do it again.
But next time, I’ll bring an extra (or two) pillows to support my lower back better, a blanket, and some bubbly to drink secretly from my teacup at the end because, after all, it’s Saturday night and I’m with the girls.
For those of you living here in the San Francisco Bay Area and curious to try it out, another session will take place on December 14th, 2024, at Kaizenkan Judo in San Rafael.
I’ll be there, armed with my blankets, pillows, and cushions—because let’s face it, you need to relax properly to survive the holiday season and all that shopping!
Want to join? Visit: Journey Beyond Sound
See you there!