If you have been intrigued for quite some time about what is a sound bath, If you've heard of our Sound Bath Meditation, or would like to learn more about it before attending it for the first time, this week's blog post is for you.
We want to share with you exactly what our Sound Bath Meditation is like, and its benefits for well-being and health.
What exactly is a Sound Bath?
It is basically a therapeutic and meditative experience in which you "bathe" in the sounds and vibrations produced by different instruments such as gongs, tuning forks, and crystal bowls. Through these, your mind enters a meditative and relaxed state. This helps in the healing process on a mental, emotional, and physical level.
About 10 years ago people started talking about sound baths as a current trend, but in fact, it dates back more than 40,000 years. It is an ancient healing technique and one of the first forms of healing used by ancient civilizations.
Sadana Center Sound Bath Meditation since 2000
I started doing sound bath meditations in the Tampa Bay area in the year 2000. At that time, we were only 3 people who did this type of event in the area.
At that time I called it: "Mantra Circle" and I was the only one who, in addition to Tibetan singing bowls, and crystal quartz bowls, used tuning forks and bells.
Years later, the "Spiritual awakening Meditation" was born, and I added mantras and healing sounds that I learned from my mentors in the temple.
The gong, a large, flat, circular piece of metal that you hit with a hammer to make a sound like a loud bell, was a new instrument to some practitioners, In my case, I was familiar with it because my Chinese teachers played it in the temple.
The previous explanation has the intention that you see that the sound bath is not something new, and it is a practice that I have been doing for many years.
Nowadays I call it "Sound Bath Meditation" because it is a name that now everyone recognizes. The name "sound bath" is not unique. If you google it, you will find many results (usually with only bowls and gongs), but I can assure you that our event is unique.
You will hardly find something similar in the area. That is the feedback we received EVERY TIME a new client attends our meditations.
Our Sound Bath Meditation
Now, let's talk about what you can expect when you come to our Sound Bath Meditation.
Our Sound Bath Meditation last 60 minutes, it is like a therapy that requires the person to lie down on a mat with a comfortable cushion or you can bring a little pillow to put under your head.
It is recommended to wear light and comfortable clothing, put cell phones on airplane mode, get comfortable, close your eyes, and get ready to listen and get carried away by the instruments I'm going to play.
But before lying down, we do breathing exercises for a few minutes to relax.
Every Sound Bath Meditation is unique, and each person interprets each experience differently. For example, I do not always do the same breathing exercises.
We work with different emotions. I work with instruments made of wood, metal, water, earth, and fire. Each instrument is connected to an element and an emotion.
My Sacred Instruments
I use different instruments like singing bowls, tuning forks, and gongs to produce different sounds and vibrations.
It was in 1986 when I was in the Tian Tan Temple, in Peru, that I had contact for the first time with Tibetan bowls and gongs. Then, I studied other instruments and I began my personal collection in 1998 with tuning forks and Buddhist bells.
Later came into my life the Tibetan shamanic drum that emits ocean waves sound, the Didgeridoo from Polynesia, the Kalimba from Africa, Egg Drum from Birmania whose lullabies heal our inner child; Pan pipes or Antara made of condor feathers, water whistle vessel, shamanic flutes, and ancient shamanic whistles. These are just some of my instruments.
Each session is different because I work with instruments from different cultures.
I have instruments that you cannot find anywhere because they were given to me by shamans.
What happens, therapeutically, during a Sound Bath?
When I play my sacred instruments, the waves of frequencies run through all the cells of your body helping you to release emotions and conflicts that are in your old memory, releasing stress, and creating a feeling of peace and well-being.
These sound waves are associated with deep, meditative, and peaceful states that are highly conducive to healing.
Throughout the session, people experience a variety of physical and mental sensations.
The most common is that they fall into a deep state of relaxation.
It is also common for participants to relax so much that they even fall asleep during the session. And sleep doesn't stop you from reaping the benefits of a sound bath.
Others cry because the sound strikes a chord with people who have gone through difficult times or been affected by trauma.
Sometimes you relax so much after the sound bath that you can feel disoriented, and you can forget your mat, cell phone, or car keys. (Yes! that has happened!)
As the mind and body relax, our heart rate and blood pressure decrease and our breathing becomes deeper. It is in this state that deeper healing can occur.
In this way, a sound bath not only reduces stress and anxiety by inducing a state of relaxation but also has physiological benefits, such as a reduction in pain, better sleep, elimination of toxins, and strengthening of the immune system.
A sound bath session can reduce levels of anxiety, depression, tension, and sadness, as well as lessen pain.
Being a Reiki Master I can feel if a participant is low on energy, has inner conflicts or dark emotions. I approach that person and clean those emotions with my instruments or with healing hands. (Reiki healing)
Our sound bath ends with a special meditation, in the lotus position. I teach mantras, healing sounds, mudras, and positive affirmations.
When is the appropriate time to try a sound bath? In fact, any time.
If you are stressed, anxious, or cranky a sound bath will be very relaxing!
On Sunday we had the lunar eclipse. It was beautiful! Did you watch it? The days after we can feel emotionally restless or drained.
We need a practice that helps us calm the mind. This is a perfect moment to try us out!
Join us this Saturday for our monthly Sound Bath Meditation at 10:00 am.
We hope to see you there!
Love & Qi healing!
Shifu Orlando
Our Sound Bath Meditation is every third Saturday of the month. The next one is this Saturday, May, 21 at 10:00 AM.
Book online or call us at (727) 458-9123 if they prefer phone registration.
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Love & Qi Healing!
Shifu Orlando & Simo Ana