What happens during a gong bath? You will be invited to lay down on a yoga mat and get cosy with a pillow and blanket. Pleaselet me know if you have back issues and an air bed can be arranged. Some people bring their own foam and pillows or even chairs to sit on. You will be guided into a relaxed state through breathwork and meditation before being transported into another state of consciousness. During this time you become very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Before being guided out, you will have an essential period of silence.
What do I need to do? The most important aspect of allowing yourself to get the most out of the sound bath is to come with an open heart and mind. This is a window of time just for you to fully relax and let go of any tension and stress. The important thing to remember is that every gong bath is a different experience! This means letting go of any expectation you have for the sound bath.
What can I expect after a gong bath? It's important to drink plenty of water and ideally avoid alcohol. You will often leaving feeling fully in the moment, blissful and at peace. You may also feel a little spaced out so it is essential to ground, rehydrate and continue to be gentle and caring of yourself and your needs. Movement of the body and gentle exercise supports the detoxification process. The experience may have brought up some awareness of aspects of your subconscious that you can now address. It can also bring on what's known as a healing crisis, if you feel particularly fatigued afterwards due to having released a lot of stress- please note this is highly unusual- please reach out to me at any time.
How does sound heal? We perceive the sound of these therapeutic instruments through our ears but we also feel its vibrations as the waves travel through the tissues of our body. Higher-pitched sounds affect the surface layers of our body, while lower-pitched sounds penetrate deeper into organs and bones. The slower waves produced by lower frequencies can linger longer within the body, which is why we feel these vibrations more intensely which explains a lot of people’s love of heavy bass music! When sound reaches our ears, it is conveyed to the brain via the auditory nerve. Additionally and perhaps most importantly, the vagus nerve, which connects to the back of the auditory canal, carries sound waves to major organs, enabling the brain to monitor and receive data related to breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. As the sound waves are received through the auditory nerve, there is communication to the brain which then sends these waves out as signals to the vagus nerve. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a state of relaxation known as "rest and digest." In this state, deep healing can take place. When we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, without intentionally taking the time- through meditation, yoga or other techniques- to activate the vagus nerve we remain in “fight or flight” where we can experience anxiety, stress and other ailments. If we stay in this state long enough, serious illness can ensue. This in turn affects our digestive system. When our digestive system is disrupted this can exacerbate our physical and mental health issues.
What are the different states of consciousness? Our normal waking state is Beta which is a awake and alert. In this state our sympathetic nervous system can easily dominate, leading to chronic stress. Through techniques such as sound healing, yoga, meditation or simply grounding the brainwave patterns slow down into Alpha brainwaves. This is where you feel relaxed and feel meditative or start to daydream. Beyond the Alpha state you brainwaves can slow even further in order to reach Theta levels. This is a deep meditative state where you can experience psychedelic, dreamlike visions, you are more able to connect with your inner voice and knowing and this is where you can gain deep spiritual insight. This can also bring to the surface any suppressed emotions and memories. Both Alpha and Theta are described as trance states or altered states of consciousness If brainwaves slow even further you reach Delta where you will fall asleep!
What does an altered state of consciousness feel like? These natural experiences may indicate that various parts of your brain have shifted into lower brainwave frequencies, such as Alpha (8-12Hz) or Theta (4-8Hz), reflecting an altered state of consciousness as your right hemisphere responds to the lower frequencies of sound produced by the gongs. Imagery: Visualizing colors, patterns, or scenes with your eyes closed. Physical Relaxation: Muscles feel relaxed, tension drains from the body, and breathing becomes steady and calm. Altered Sense of Time: The experience may feel much shorter or longer than it actually is, with a heightened sense of being present in the moment. Altered Sense of Space: Feeling of floating or sinking, where spatial boundaries seem to dissolve and you experience a sense of vastness. Insight and Clarity: Gaining new understanding or solutions to personal problems, or experiencing enhanced intuition. Positive Mood: Experiencing joy, elation, bliss, tranquility, and calmness. Sense of Unity: Feeling a deep connection with everything and everyone, perceiving everything as energy. Connection to the Sacred: Feeling connected to something profound, sacred, or holy.
What is the difference between a sound bath and a gong bath? These terms are used quite loosely but I prefer to use the term gong bath as this is the instrument I choose to use predominantly. The term sound bath can be used to describe a treatment that incorporates a range of instruments or just crystal/ Himalayan sound bowls. Whereas a gong bath may only includes gongs may be where the practitioner just uses gongs or chooses to focus mostly on the gong. I choose to predominantly use gongs in my treatments as I have a deep love for them. I find they are more capable of transporting the listener into the Theta state, producing psychedelic experiences but that is based on my own experience as a practitioner and receiver.
What is happens at the end of a gong bath? You are left in a period of silence, this is called Shunyata. It can be a profound and vital part of the experience that supports the integration of the deep cellular healing you have experienced. It allows you to readjust gently back into reality!