What is Sound Therapy?
Also Known as Sound Healing
Sound therapy, sometimes referred to as sound healing, is a form of therapy that uses different sounds and rhythms to bring the body into a deep state of relaxation, with the aim of improving a person’s physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing. It can take place in the form of relaxation sound baths or one-to-one reflective sound therapy sessions.
What Do Sound Therapists Do?
Sound therapists work with a variety of instruments, including traditional Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, crystal singing bowls, tuning forks, monochord, voice and percussion.
They use these instruments, both on and off the body, to produce sounds that have been shown to impact a person’s brainwaves, moving them from a normal waking state (beta) into a more relaxed state (theta) and even a sleep state (delta).
Essentially, the body is moved from the sympathetic nervous system (flight/fight) into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for restorative activities, such as stress relief and healing. Naturally, when this occurs, it brings about a drop in heart rate and a release of tension and anxiety, but the benefits run far deeper than this.
How Does Sound Therapy Work?
Everything in the universe has a vibrational frequency, including us!
Retuning Your Frequencies
Everything in the universe has a vibrational frequency, including us! Throughout our lives, we encounter myriad experiences that alter and shift the vibrational frequencies taking place within the cells of our body. This produces areas of imbalance, which can in turn create pain, dis-ease, anxiety and lack of energetic flow.
When sound waves come into contact with our eardrums, they are transferred, via the vestibulocochlear nerve, directly to a branch of the vagus nerve, and into the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. Specific frequencies and rhythms have been shown to reactivate both the parasympathetic nervous system and the vagus nerve, which helps to control hormone release, inflammation, digestion, blood glucose levels, heart rate and blood pressure – all of which can be negatively impacted when the vagus nerve is inactive or blocked. Consequently, sound therapy can initiate a wide range of benefits, which can manifest on many levels, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
What are the Benefits of Sound Therapy?
A Natural Way to Improve Your Health and Mind
Sound therapy is a relaxing, holistic experience that brings with it a feeling a deep rest and restoration. It is non-invasive and can be tailored to individual needs, using specific instruments, tones, intervals and rhythms for specific purposes. Below are some of the key potential benefits:
Find out more about the treatments I offer and how they can help you feel energised and restored.
“Carolyn’s skill and general intuitive and open nature made me feel very safe in her hands and the crystal bowls and percussion felt peacefully therapeutic.”
Melodie Mayne is a visual artist and homeopath living in Somerset.
What Is Reflective Sound Therapy?
Reflective sound therapy incorporates the principles of both sound therapy and reflective talk therapy, in order to create a safe container in which to delve deeper into the subconscious mind. During reflective sound therapy, the client is invited to choose a specific focus for each session and reflect on how this area of focus impacts their everyday life. After exploring this further with the therapist, the client then receives a personalized, targeted sound therapy treatment, with the aim of bringing them into an ASC (Altered State of Consciousness).
During ASC, they may encounter a variety of experiences, on a physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual level. They are encouraged to remain conscious of their experiences, so that these can then be reflected on after the treatment. During this reflective process, clients will often experience profound insights and shifts in their consciousness, becoming aware of triggers, patterns and even the original source of what they have chosen to work on.
Profound inner reflection, growth and realisation can take place during these sessions.
The BAST Method
Established by the British Academy of Sound Therapy
The method I use during reflective sound therapy sessions has been researched and established by the British Academy of Sound Therapy, who awarded me my Practitioner Level Diploma in Sound Therapy. Click this link to find out more about the BAST method.
What Are the Benefits of Reflective Sound Therapy?
Reflection and Development
Reflective sound therapy offers all of the benefits of regular relaxation sound therapy, but with the added opportunity for supported self-introspection, growth and development:
Would you like to know more about reflective sound therapy, or ask about booking a session?