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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:
lifeinthehills · 18/01/2023 08:49

I've been to two sound baths. I don't think they are all created equal. The first was relaxing and I liked the many different sounds. I know one person cried there. The second I just didn't connect with and just got a sore back from being on the floor. I've tried a sound bath app but I'm not sure if that can work the same as a live session. Does anyone know?

Mirabai · 18/01/2023 09:33

Ime apps and the YouTube sound baths can be relaxing but they’re not as good as the real thing.

DevonSunsets · 18/01/2023 10:48

shewolfsout · 18/01/2023 07:38

I've had a lot of trauma, and always have an excessive reaction to anything holistic. When I have had acupuncture, I end up bleeding everywhere or with the little needles literally popping out everywhere. I only practice yoga and meditation in private now, because (along with plenty of gas) I seem to release a lot of emotions accidentally, sometimes making a weird sound that comes out of me when I relax. I often cry when I listen to certain music frequencies and get 'frisson' from music a lot, which I know not everyone experiences but for me I can be walking along with my music headphones on, and suddenly a piece of music will move me so that all my hairs stand on end and I can no longer walk as I am physically overwhelmed by the music. It's not always a positive thing, it can feel very claustrophobic, and as I am actually claustrophobic it can make me feel panicky and have to turn the music off. I'm not sure it is necessarily healing, I don't know. I'm been very susceptible to hypnosis in the past as well.

@shewolfsout

I thought I was the only person that had a very overwhelming reaction to music. It just feels like pure unbridled joy to me (or deep poignant sadness or a vision of beauty - dependant on the music)

I love a gong or bell after a nidra - I wonder how we would handle a sound bath!

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Philosophy & religion
shewolfsout · 18/01/2023 10:52

I'm not sure @DevonSunsets

I watched someone play the singing bowl once, and it made me tingle all over so I imagine I would have a profound response though whether it would be positive or negative I'm not sure. I often find classical music overwhelming, but regardless of genre it seems to happen. Sometimes I'll listen to dance music and my head is flooded with light, or rock music and my body is flooded with warmth. There are certainly some frequencies where it just lights my whole brain and body up, and that can make me feel deep emotions, it's hard to explain!

DevonSunsets · 18/01/2023 10:56

@shewolfsout

Nope, you don't have to explain. I know exactly what you mean! I've not come across anyone who has the same reaction. My friends and family just think 'she's really into music' and if I try to explain that its almost a reaction on a cellular level they just 🙄

shewolfsout · 18/01/2023 10:58

Yep I get lots of that 🙄

One of my children is the same though! So there are a few of us out there

TrollMunter · 18/01/2023 10:59

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.

I had the crazy visuals too!

YogaLite · 18/01/2023 15:12

Makes me wonder how do people who run these sessions cope with the sensations, surely they can't be all totally "immune" - unless with practice their psyche learns to adapt.

WashAsDelicates · 18/01/2023 18:14

YogaLite · 18/01/2023 15:12

Makes me wonder how do people who run these sessions cope with the sensations, surely they can't be all totally "immune" - unless with practice their psyche learns to adapt.

It's not simply the exposure to the sounds that causes a visceral reaction. The listeners are in a different mental state to the practitioner. They may be focused on listening or relaxing, and not on engaging any other past of their mind or their body. The practitioner's focus OTOH is entirely different. They may be actively thinking about making the right sound at the time in the right place, and about moving around very carefully and silently. So the experience is very different for them.

YogaLite · 18/01/2023 21:35

@WashAsDelicates good point, thank you.

CarolDunne · 18/01/2023 21:40

Yes, I have had this. Had a debrief with the guy running the course.

That lower sound triggered negative energy that your body is holding on to. Those vibrations very trying to shift it but your body panicked and tries to hold on to it.

Just more sessions with this sound until the energy moves

I had done this and it was amazing

colouringindoors · 18/01/2023 22:03

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

Totally. Anyone of a history of trauma needs imho to take care with these types of therapies.

NooNooHead1981 · 18/01/2023 22:09

I remember downloading an app with some kind of hidden messages in sounds you could listen to (or something!) and when I listened to the first one, I felt horrible, and very anxious, panicky and very ill at ease. It definitely felt a bad thing to do, and I've read people say certain videos on YouTube with particular sound frequencies can give a similar effect.

Shitfather · 18/01/2023 22:26

CarolDunne · 18/01/2023 21:40

Yes, I have had this. Had a debrief with the guy running the course.

That lower sound triggered negative energy that your body is holding on to. Those vibrations very trying to shift it but your body panicked and tries to hold on to it.

Just more sessions with this sound until the energy moves

I had done this and it was amazing

Very interesting. Would you mind sharing how you felt when negative energy shifted? Did it last or was temporary?

makingarunforit · 18/01/2023 22:41

I haven't but different frequencies resonate with different chakras apparently.

This is helpful

www.hypnosisaudio.com/pages/faqs-about-the-solfeggio-scale

I've been listening to the green one at night recently and have woken up feeling quite a bit better.

mackthepony · 19/01/2023 02:08

Never heard of this.

Sounds like a spa day but worse

MsJinks · 19/01/2023 05:51

One I went to the practitioner gave details on how sound can heal on a physical cellular level, and she had looked at this in her research whilst studying. For example it has been shown to help Parkinson’s and at the least any tremors stop during a session - session being 1:1 so bespoke. She also reminded us how much sound is used in the animal kingdom. Unfortunately, I can’t remember as much as I thought when I started this message but just to add this in to other stuff mentioned on this thread.
I’ve been to 3 and had different responses - I think you need a good practitioner but strangely the one who clearly had studied loads etc didn’t give me much response - this however may be due to the other 2 being part of a full yoga and journaling type day so more in the mindset.
I understand you would possibly get more from a 1:1 session as more tailored to you, though obviously the group ones do produce distinct reactions.

WashAsDelicates · 19/01/2023 07:28

Cats' purring is supposed to have a physiological healing effect.

doadeer · 19/01/2023 07:41

I do sound baths almost weekly. The only time I had a weird reaction it was in a hot yoga studio and I overheated and panicked.

If you can bear it I would try again. My brain now knows that this means relaxation, I get into a nice state very quickly. It has been a god send with my chronic pain and I'd say a big cause in my ability to switch off my pain signals.

ThisIsntThe80sPat · 23/11/2023 09:57

Mintakan · 17/01/2023 16:50

@Chickenvoicesinmyhead sorry am not in the UK.

Ok so I talked to the teacher. She said that it sounds like my body reacting to the vibrations and the unusual sensations can trigger fight or flight in people who have trauma. She also said that it's possible for the vibrations can release emotions that are "stuck". All of this makes sense.

She said that it was normal and next time I probably won't have the same reaction but if I do just to let her know and she can help. It really reassured me that she sees this all the time and it's part of the process.

I am going to try again in a couple of weeks and I will report back.

Hi op,
Did you ever go back? What was it like second time round?
I did something similar this morning and it triggered such a powerful reaction in me I wasn't expecting and has left me drained.

FrancisSeaton · 24/11/2023 22:02

I was listening to some binaural beats the other week and similar happened. For some reason it unlocked some traumatic memories I had shut away and not even thought of since the time over 20 years ago. I feel massively anxious and upset

BadSkiingMum · 24/11/2023 22:44

I really enjoy binaural beats for focusing on work but don’t fancy the idea of a sound bath.

Interestingly, I have heard accounts of people feeling manipulated by music in faith settings such as evangelical churches. For example, preachers talking emotively over sequences of low chords being played in the background.

Catspyjamas17 · 24/11/2023 22:49

Sound has a massive effect on people, and not always positive. I love a sound bath, I have all sorts of vivid images coming into my mind. But I can also see that it could be unpleasantly emotional.

gano · 24/11/2023 23:01

I was going to suggest this as well, but you beat me to it!

Ilotca · 24/11/2023 23:16

Music absolutely has an effect on mood. Certain music sounds "happy" and other types sound "sad". They sound that way even if there's no lyrics. You can even get it through a sequence of three bare notes with no chords around it, plus each note carries echoes of related notes in its vibrations. If a note is resonating enough, is a big enough sound, and you are close enough to it, you will have a physical apprehension of it (think about times when you've been next to big speakers at gigs etc) and you are a collection of bones and tissue and you also vibrate. Makes sense that the two can coincide and provoke a reaction that you feel physically.

I hope you're ok OP and are able to process what you've experienced.