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Original poster

Has anyone had a sound bath? Something weird happened to me …

110 replies

Mintakan · 17/01/2023 07:19

And I want to see if it’s normal.

On Saturday I went to my first sound bath. I had a burn out in 2021 (run my own business) so I’m working on finding activities that help relaxation. A friend who is a yoga teacher suggested a sound bath with Himalayan and crystal singing bowls.

The whole setting was fabulous. Everyone has a personal sheepskin rug, we had blankets, eye masks and cushions for head and knees. She gave us all a hot cup of herbal tea when we arrived.

She explained the process and that we might experience some physical reactions, goosebumps, pins and needles etc.

About halfway through when she starts on the lower note bowls I had a visceral reaction. All the hair on my body stood on end and my fight or flight response was triggered. I started to panic and wanted to run out of the room.

I suffered with crippling panic attacks as a teenager and recognised it immediately and was able to do my breathing exercises to bring myself back down.

I was really enjoying it up to that point. I have no idea what happened. The rest of the session passed without incident. I’m hoping that someone else has experienced similar? I’d like to go back again but would like to avoid a repeat!

OP posts:
hellswelshy · 17/01/2023 08:41

I've been to just one soundbath, found the bowls excruciating sound wise but the 'gongs' very relaxing. Our lady said everyone reacts differently so could be something internal as possible suggest? One thing for me that was strange was that the hour session felt like 5 mins 😦Felt like I'd only just laid down on the mat and then it was over!!

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 17/01/2023 08:45

there’s a specific low frequency that triggers fear - there’s speculation that it’s responsible for a lot of woo in places where wind or other noises might produce that frequency.

a quick google shows eg amp.theguardian.com/science/2003/oct/16/science.farout

flashbac · 17/01/2023 08:46

TrodOnLegoAgain · 17/01/2023 07:47

Have you ever read The Body Keeps the Score? I would recommend it.

I read that it's actually not good in a sense (possible plaguerism, discussion about rapist vets suffering PTSD and so forth) and there are better alternatives. I will try and post more detail later.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Philosophy & religion
amberedover · 17/01/2023 08:55

How fascinating! I wonder if Rutherford & Fry could investigate ?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dx75g

Justonemorepotato · 17/01/2023 08:58

I agree with the others saying that it’s emotions coming out. Whilst it doesn’t always feel good to let these out, don’t be afraid, it’s ultimately good for your body. The first time I did it I had these crazy visuals and my friend sobbed uncontrollably and she’s really not a crier. Don’t be surprised if next time your reaction is less intense or just different. I also agree about where you sit affecting the intensity. If you are worried sit a bit further back or to the side. Sounds like there may be some stuff that needs to come out and that spiritually you are open to this method of release.

Iateallthechips · 17/01/2023 09:01

Oh god, I lasted less than 5 minutes!

A friend told me it was the best thing ever. I went along and it was the most intensely annoying and irritating sound I have ever heard.

Like a cow mooing on repeat. I wanted to rip my ears off.

I quietly got up and walked out.

Entwifery · 17/01/2023 09:05

Seems like it was an overstimulating and unpleasant sound. Like that nails on a chalkboard sound that makes you want to crawl out of your skin. Highly doubt any woo woo magic was occuring.

Iateallthechips · 17/01/2023 09:07

Entwifery · 17/01/2023 09:05

Seems like it was an overstimulating and unpleasant sound. Like that nails on a chalkboard sound that makes you want to crawl out of your skin. Highly doubt any woo woo magic was occuring.

That’s exactly what it was like for me. Just awful, awful annoying sounds that I couldn’t believe I’d parted with money to be subjected to.

It was like when dh insists on playing Black Sabbath at home.

Tattyoldted · 17/01/2023 09:18

You can feel all sorts of reactions and emotions during a sound bath. I’ve been happy, sad, cried, felt like running out, had visualisations… the first sound bath I had really drew out some of the tension and anxiety I had, but subsequent ones have been a bit easier. Definitely message the leader. Where you’re positioned in the room can be changed next time, either closer to the bowls or further away, the leader will be mindful of it for next time for you.

DevonSunsets · 17/01/2023 09:24

I found that a bell of gong at the end of a long restful savasana or a great yoga nidra makes my soul tingle. Its like it shivers and flutters just for a second and its breathtaking.

I love the idea of a sound bath - I also would be interested to know what your teacher says.

Original poster
Mintakan · 17/01/2023 09:28

Entwifery · 17/01/2023 09:05

Seems like it was an overstimulating and unpleasant sound. Like that nails on a chalkboard sound that makes you want to crawl out of your skin. Highly doubt any woo woo magic was occuring.

Definitely wasn't like that for me, at all.

It was really fabulous up to that point. It was relaxing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mintakan · 17/01/2023 09:28

amberedover · 17/01/2023 08:55

How fascinating! I wonder if Rutherford & Fry could investigate ?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dx75g

Am not in the UK.

OP posts:
TrickyD · 17/01/2023 09:31

Someone offers sound bath sessions very close to where we live, so I thought I might pop along and try it.
However having read these posts I will give it a miss. I have a pacemaker and I don’t fancy its own benign vibrations being disturbed, leaving its moorings on my chest and going for a wander.

riotlady · 17/01/2023 09:39

FunnyTalks · 17/01/2023 08:27

That's great you are already familiar with trauma and trauma responses. I'm guessing you have also thought about what lay behind your teenage panic attacks.

This isn't uncommon and there is some research suggesting the use of mindfulness techniques can actually backfire with trauma. I used to have panic attacks at the end of my yoga class, during the relaxation bit and I once panicked my way through much of a meditation course. I can meditate alone, for me there is something about being vulnerable in a group that triggers me.

I would consider trying it again alone, if you feel comfortable with the practitioner. Or practice meditating at home (Insight Timer is a great free app) before trying the class again. Would it help to ask the practitioner what the protocol for needing to leave the room is? Perhaps if you understood you could leave, your body would be content to stay.

Yes, I haven’t had a sound bath but I previously suffered from PTSD and meditation and particularly breathing exercises have often gone badly for me- if there’s a relaxation session at the end of yoga I can lie down and listen to the music but have to skip all the “focus on your breath” stuff. It’s very interesting to me as I think a lot of inexperienced mental health practitioners can jump to mindfulness as the solution to everything, when it really isn’t!

FormerGossip · 17/01/2023 10:05

I have had one sound bath and it was an amazing experience, other worldly.

The sudden upset reaction I have had during trauma-sensitive yoga. It can come as a shock so it's good to be aware of what may be in store. It's your body processing trauma.

biedrona · 17/01/2023 10:12

TrodOnLegoAgain · 17/01/2023 07:47

Have you ever read The Body Keeps the Score? I would recommend it.

I would absolutely second this. Also look into somatic experiencing. Peter Levine

5YearsLeft · 17/01/2023 10:14

I know a lot of people are talking about emotions and chakras and things, and those may all play a part; I have no idea. As for the perhaps more “scientific” side (which may end up being another way of explaining the same thing), chest tremors are a known symptom of anxiety. And certain sounds cause chest vibrations. It’s likely that the frequency caused you to feel the same type of anxiety you normally do, whereas maybe 100 other people might not, or maybe they might at a different sound frequency.
This talks about chest tremors with anxiety:
www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/anxiety-chest-tremors/

We have a regular level of vibration in our chest just from breathing and speaking known as tactile fremitus (people with COPD, asthma, or severe airway obstruction may have decreased tactile fremitus). This talks about it:
www.osmosis.org/answers/tactile-fremitus

FunnyTalks · 17/01/2023 10:20

riotlady · 17/01/2023 09:39

Yes, I haven’t had a sound bath but I previously suffered from PTSD and meditation and particularly breathing exercises have often gone badly for me- if there’s a relaxation session at the end of yoga I can lie down and listen to the music but have to skip all the “focus on your breath” stuff. It’s very interesting to me as I think a lot of inexperienced mental health practitioners can jump to mindfulness as the solution to everything, when it really isn’t!

Show quote history

Yes I agree about inexperienced mental health practitioners.

Having said that, I do find incorporating aspects of mindfulness helpful in my life. I think the key for PTSD and trauma (which is far more widespread than people realise) is acknowledging potential triggers around the setting and the people involved. In particular around power dynamics in relationships, control and loss of control.

EBearhug · 17/01/2023 10:22

It is about vibration levels. It's why a good chant or even choral music in a church can feel great, because you vibrate in tune with others around you, but it can also stir up stuff inside you, if you're not used to it.

villamariavintrapp · 17/01/2023 10:23

Lots of people with traumatic childhoods need to keep their guard up to survive. 'Relaxing' makes you vulnerable, and you've probably learnt to always stay psychologically 'alert', looking out for the next attack or threat. It could just be that this 'panic' is like a fear of being relaxed and vulnerable.

Teaandtoast3 · 17/01/2023 10:24

That’s very interesting

ILoveChristmas6 · 17/01/2023 10:31

Similar happened to me when I first started meditating. I couldn't do it without crying and panicking. I'd had some trauma and burn out some months before and I think it was coming to the surface in the quiet moments. Meditation was a time when I had nothing to distract me so had to face what I was keeping in. It lessened the more I did it and now I don't cry. I think I had to face those feelings or something.

Catspyjamas17 · 17/01/2023 10:31

Yes, absolutely love them. The sound really has an amazing effect- seems to fire up part of my brain and it generates all sorts of colours and images. But yes, if you have past trauma it may bring up things you don't want it to, as yoga and meditation can, and it's not always positive.

When my dad was very ill, in a couple of yoga classes I was in around then I felt tears come easily, but felt so much better afterwards. Then I realised that it was medicine to me and far from being just exercise.

Catspyjamas17 · 17/01/2023 10:34

You might also respond better to a gong sound bath than crystal bowls. I am the opposite and prefer the crystal bowl sound.

LitralViolins · 17/01/2023 10:37

Yes, I've had some odd experiences during sound baths. The first one was really trippy, and not in a good way - I felt very unmoored and disoriented, lying in pitch blackness, no sense of where my body was in space. Quite scary! I've had others where I've started crying, or wanting to cry. I definitely identify with that feeling of being 'hollowed out' - it's very odd.

But then I've had others that have been blissful. I think a lot (for me, at least) depends on how 'safe' I feel in the space. That first one was after an intense yoga session with a new teacher, and he didn't tell us that he was going to turn the savasana into a gong bath. Looking back now I probably should have said something afterwards as I'm not sure that's terribly ethical, but at the time I was just glad it was over!

Yoga nidra, on the other hand... oh my god. Utter heaven, every time.