What to expect in a Soundbath Experience?
What to bring
We suggest you wear comfortable loose clothing, and bring some water.
Some venues will provide yoga mats, but if not, please bring a yoga mat or something to lie on. You may also wish to bring cushions – one for your head and perhaps one for under you knees. You may also want to bring a light shawl or blanket to cover yourself during the session. Sometimes people like to bring their crystals for a cleanse and recharge.
Welcome and explanation
After everyone has arrived and a chosen a position in the space, Carmen will introduce the soundbath.
She will explain what’s going to happen during the session, and outline some of the ways people have experienced a soundbath. She’ll briefly introduce the various instruments and how they are played.
You’ll be invited to set an intention for the soundbath – this is your private intention.
You will have an opportunity to ask some questions beforehand, and also after the soundbath.
At the end of the soundbath, some people like to share their experience, some people prefer to keep this to themselves, it’s up to you. Carmen can facilitate a gentle discussion afterwards and you can contribute if you wish.
Guided Meditation to begin
As you settle into your chosen position, sitting or lying, Carmen will lead a short guided meditation, enabling you to enter a deeper state of relaxation, prior to the sounds commencing.
The soundbath experience
Imagine yourself lying in comfortable clothes, relaxed and ready for your soundbath.
Out of the silence, gentle bells begin. You’re feeling quite peaceful now and the day-to-day world fades as the sounds begin to trickle into your awareness. The ethereal music of singing bowls begins to wash over your body and mind. The delicate sound seems to rise out of nowhere and swirl around you, over you and through you as you become fully immersed in your soundbath. Layer upon layer of music from Tibetan bowls (with their rich harmonic overtones), sweet-sounding Japanese bowls, the otherworldly hum and vibration of quartz crystal singing bowls, the deep reverberance of Chinese gongs, the gentle music of bamboo chimes, interspersed with a serene and calming voice. The music is building in effect, not decibels.
Are you floating?
Are you dreaming?
As the sounds gently subside, Carmen lets you know that your soundbath is coming to a close, and guides you back into a more present state of mind. You rest a while, basking in the silent nourishment of it all, until you are ready to speak, to move, to return to the outside world.