Submerge your senses and listen with your whole body.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Rituals have the power to elevate each and every one of our senses. And yet, when we think of bathing ourselves in relaxation, chances are just a few practices come to mind. While relaxing baths, journaling, and quiet meditation are incredible tools for connecting with our spirits, experiences that engage our senses outside of ourselves are a beautiful way to get out of our heads and flow with the moment.
Which brings us to one of our favorites: Soundbaths.
Sound therapist, mediation teacher, and author Sara Auster defines a sound bath as “a deeply-immersive, full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle yet powerful therapeutic and restorative processes.” (It’s kind of like that “in the zone” feeling you get when you listen to your favorite album or playlist.)
Traditional sound baths are rooted in the tradition of Himalayan and Tibetan singing bowl ceremonies, which involve striking or circling carved metal bowls in tandem with meditation or melodic chants. As with many ancient practices that are re-emerging as “trendy” today, sound baths hold up to modern science, too. (Studies suggest they can lift your mood and release tension.)
In practice, what sets a true “sound bath” apart is how you do it. Much like a real “bath,” it’s about slowing down, immersing yourself in the act of showing up, and tuning out the rest of the world until you’re done. Many sound therapists like Auster strongly recommend enjoying them from start to finish if at all possible, as they’re usually composed with brain and body benefits in mind.
Want to score the benefits of a sound bath without a singing bowl of your own? Here are a few options you can stream, anytime.
Youtube: Sara Auster
Spotify: Tibetan Singing Bowls Meditation
Apple Music: Sound Baths for Mediation
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