Why Tibetan sound bowls could be the wellbeing boost you've been searching for

The human body is estimated to be around 60% water, a fact that's one of the core pillars behind sound healing and the impact that sound vibrations have on the body. The ancient therapy has repeatedly appeared in search trends in the last few years since 2020, amidst a growing interest in self-care and wellbeing, but what exactly is a sound bath?

What is sound healing?

Sound healing or sound baths have been used for thousands of years across different cultures. It’s all about working on vibrations. Everything around us and within us, whether we hear it or not, is on a vibration. Sound baths take that idea and use music for healing with instruments such as Tibetan sound bowls or singing bowls. The idea is that when our natural vibrations get out of tune, it is the root of illness. The instruments change the vibrations and get the body back into its own vibrational state. It’s an ancient practice, but people are really engaging with it again at the moment.

What happens in a typical sound bath session?

Every practitioner has their own way of doing things. However, often it begins with using little bells to clear the energy in the room and the voice to set an intention. Then there might be a breathing exercise and a beat is set using the instruments. It’s a continual beat, and when the beat goes heavy, that’s where you know you’ve got an imbalance in the body. They may then use things like crystals, Tibetan singing bowls and other sounds to alter the vibrations. At the end, the practitioner may strike the bells to show the session has finished, and let you rest for a few minutes in peace.

What are the benefits of a sound bath?

Sound bath benefits can be quite wide reaching, with lots of people finding them to be deeply relaxing, as well as supporting the nervous system and the immune system. The NHS Humber Recovery and Wellbeing College lists the benefits as:

• Stress reduction
• Improved sleep quality (which can lead to more energy and better overall wellbeing)
• Enhanced mental clarity and focus
• Better circulation
• Enhancing the body's natural healing processes
• Soothing for muscle tension, headaches, and chronic pain
• Promotes a better sense of self and connection with yourself

Who is sound therapy good for?

Everybody, because it’s so variable. If you’re stressed, it’s a lovely way to stop the mental chatter. It can even help with areas of aches and pain or a general sense of needing to heal. It essentially helps you to get back in tune with the body. We do suggest that if you are very severely depressed, are in early pregnancy, have had a stroke, heart disease or Parkinson's it may not be recommended. If you are in later stages of pregnancy then you may want to check with your doctor before booking.

How do you do sound therapy at Ragdale Hall Spa?

At Ragdale Hall Spa, we embrace the ancient tradition of sound bathing and provide a range of therapeutic and meditative sound experiences to help reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance cognitive function, and alleviate symptoms of discomfort.

Our core Sound Healing treatment is 25-minutes long and is featured in our Wellbeing Day package, but can also be added onto other experiences. It's been created by our own holistic wellness team, and is an immersive session that starts with meditation and deep yoga breaths, followed by gentle stretches. These sessions use Tibetan singing bowls to generate vibrations that reduce stress and positively affect the immune and nervous systems. They aim to restore harmony and balance to your mind, body, and soul as you embark on a journey of healing and deep relaxation.

We also have additional treatments which enhance sound healing. For example, we offer Crystal Sound Healing, which blends the healing powers of crystals, Reiki, and sound. It involves placing crystals on the body’s chakras, accompanied by relaxing essential oils, yoga breaths, and gentle stretches.

Is there anything you recommend people do before or after the treatment to make the most of it?

I would really just do everything to lean into that relaxation process. Don't follow it with a workout - spend time beforehand in the different pools and quiet spaces within the spa - our candle pool is a lovely option. Then sit quietly afterwards, read a book, maybe doze off, or stroll in the grounds.