Sound baths – embracing the woo #050
When your senses surprise you.
Have you ever had a Sound Bath? No, me neither, not until last weekend.
I went on a retreat in the Cotswolds called the ‘Divine Feminine’. I approached it cautiously. It all sounded a bit woo to me. But, my old school mate Nik and I figured, if nothing else, we’d get to spend some time together and we could always escape to the pub if it became too ’out there’.
The retreat
The retreat comprised 17 women, led by the gorgeous and talented Rachael Hall. We were very comfortably accommodated in the stylish Cotswolds Park Barns. The 48 hour schedule involved all manner of activities, some I hadn’t experienced before, namely, the Sound Bath, Goddess cards1 and Self Massage with essential oils. Naturally there was yoga and Pilates, what self-respecting retreat wouldn’t? A smorgasbord of activity topped off with delicious vegetarian food prepared by the off grid chef goddess Camilla.
We ranged in age from early 30s to mid-70s including a mother and recently pregnant daughter duo. Rachael (our leader), her equally beautiful sister Emma and their kind, lovely mum, another Ruth (yes, a similar vintage to me), expertly and lovingly managing the whole affair, caring for our every need.
The whole weekend was a divine step into a word of relaxation, nurture and self-care. But what really stopped me in my tracks was the Sound Bath.
The Sound Bath
“A sound bath is a therapeutic experience that involves immersing oneself in the soothing sounds of various instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums. These instruments produce harmonious frequencies that resonate throughout the body, inducing a state of deep relaxation and inner peace.” The Humber Recovery and Wellbeing College May 2024.
What’s not to like? I snuggled under my blanket, fragrant candles and incense piquing my senses as I eagerly awaited the experience, anticipating dropping into a deep, meditative relaxation.
The sounds began. Gentle wind chimes to begin. I felt myself start to relax, my breaths deepening. The crystal bowls started to sing. Melodically at first, then less so as the frequency, volume and pitch increased.
Relaxation was indeed the experience of 90% of the other ‘bathers’ but curiously not for me. Some of the early and closing chimes were soothing yet, as the intensity gathered, I began to feel agitated, distressed and started to feel a searing pain in my left foot. All I wanted to do was to curl into a ball with my hands over my ears to shut out the piercing sounds (think the Psycho shower scene!). Time passed slowly as I willed it to end.
As the session drew to a close, we were invited to share our experience. I tried to say nothing, my desire to people please coming to the fore, yet I was overwhelmed by a desire to share my truth. I felt churlish speaking of my discord when the majority clearly had experienced a deeply nourishing relaxation. Suggestions were made as to the cause of my discomfort ranging from the scientific – the sounds exceeded my auditory range – to the spiritual – my chakras were unblocking and allowing my chi to flow releasing deeply held tension and pain.
Who knows.
Why am I telling you this?
I tell you this NOT to put you off a Sound Bath. On the contrary. Do it. I found the whole experience profound, my curiosity raised, many questions unanswered - Why did I have this reaction when I’ve never had an adverse reaction to sound before? What does it mean? What is it telling me?
Of course, it could be nothing. The pain in my foot easily explained away as cramp from lying in the same position for 40 minutes and my agitation the result of trying to digest my dinner.
But I’m not so sure.
I’m very open to it being something else. Something that modern science cannot as yet explain. Afterall, our bodies are made up, on average, of 60% water. Sounds vibrate and cause ripples across water. Why not in humans? Who knows for sure. What I do know is I am up for doing it again. I’m fascinated to witness my reaction on another occasion. And I love the idea that it was indeed something moving inside me (after all, my word for 2025 is ‘move’.)
You
For sure there is no right or wrong here. But I am intrigued and excited by the possibility of something ‘other’. Something science cannot yet fully explain, yet we can definitely feel.
How about you, have you had a Sound Bath or similar naturalistic treatment or experience? How did you find it? What did you conclude? Do you veer on the side of science or are you open to experiential findings?
Settle down, relax, light yourself a candle, pour yourself a cup of herbal tea, or gin, whatever lights your joss stick, and drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.
Last weeks blog & chat – Tales of a Reluctant Shopper #049
Thank you to all of you who dropped me a line to tell me of your shopping tips and frameworks – I love the idea of ‘cost per wear’ Keith; layering including a ‘fillet’ (bloody autocorrect) Tommy; and Lulu Lemon fashion tips Keith! And, for those who wondered, I went for the Patagonia :-). Do keep your thoughts and comments coming, it’s a delight to hear from you.
Until next week my friends,
And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today, what are you waiting for? Go check out that experience you have been toying with, dare you ;-)
Ruth x
Oh, before you go, if you enjoy my words, it’d be lovely if you choose to like, share, subscribe or comment - buttons 👇🏼thank you
As you asked, my Goddess card was Thecla – The Prophetess of True Power
Non-esquires: I really really love that phrase of yours “and just like that”. I can’t get over how great it is
The only divine I know is the Devine Miss M. The music was advertised as soothing so perhaps you were the most honest one and did not succumb to suggest and the weight of being in a “nice therapeutic group”! I applaud you! Science and personal experience are not opposite but a single experience will not be enough to understand. I love that you decided to experience something new with an open mind but your brain still ticking along.