What Is Sound Healing?

Sound healing is a holistic practice that uses sound vibrations to support physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By harnessing specific frequencies and rhythms, sound healing aims to reduce stress, promote relaxation, balance energy, and facilitate healing on multiple levels.

In blending ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic insights, I believe that sound healing is a transformative way to engage the mind, body, and spirit in healing while also encouraging somatic therapeutic rest.

I use pure quartz crystal singing bowls tuned to 440 Hz. Quartz crystal is used because of its stability and vibrational precision to interact with the body’s energy field in subtle ways. The crystal singing bowls are tuned to specific notes that correspond to the seven chakras (e.g., C for root chakra, G for throat chakra), which help with relaxation and promote the release of stagnant emotions.

Four white singing bowls placed on green grass outdoors, with trees and sunlight in the background.

How It Works

Sound healing sessions typically involve instruments such as crystal singing bowls, gongs, and other instruments. These tools produce vibrations that interact with the body and mind, helping to:

  • Calm the nervous system

  • Shift brainwave activity

  • Release stored emotions

  • Create a meditative or deeply relaxed state

Because the human body is made up of about 60% water, these vibrations may also influence our physical state on a cellular level, promoting flow and alignment in the body’s energy systems.

Potential Benefits

Clients often report a range of benefits from sound healing, including:

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

  • Improved sleep quality

  • Enhanced focus and mental clarity

  • Pain relief and muscle relaxation

  • Emotional release and trauma processing

  • Chakra balancing and improved energy flow

Explore Offerings

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A sound bath is a meditative experience where participants rest comfortably while listening to the soothing sounds and vibrations of instruments such as singing bowls, chimes, and other resonant instruments.

    The sounds help create an environment that supports relaxation, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation. Many people experience a sense of calm, mental clarity, or deep rest during a session.

  • Participants typically lie down on a yoga mat or blanket while the sound bath facilitator plays a variety of instruments in a gentle, flowing sequence.

    There is nothing you need to do during the experience. You can simply relax, breathe naturally, and allow the sounds to wash over you. Some people meditate, some drift into a restful state, and others simply enjoy the quiet time.

    Each person's experience is unique.

  • For most sound baths, guests are encouraged to bring items that will help them feel comfortable while lying down for about an hour.

    Common items include:

    • A yoga mat or something soft to lie on
    • A blanket for warmth
    • A pillow or bolster for support
    • An eye pillow or eye mask (optional)

  • Absolutely. Private sound baths can be hosted for gatherings such as:

    • Wellness events
    • Celebrations or special occasions
    • Friend or community gatherings
    • Workplace wellness events

    If you’re interested in hosting a private session, feel free to reach out to discuss availability and details.

  • Not at all. Sound baths are accessible for people with all levels of experience, including those who have never tried meditation before.

    The sounds naturally support relaxation, so many people find it easier to settle into a calm state than with silent meditation.

  • What might I experience during a sound bath?

    Experiences vary from person to person. Some common experiences include:

    • Deep relaxation
    • A quieting of the mind
    • Sensations of vibration or warmth
    • Emotional release
    • Feeling refreshed afterward

    There is no “right” way to experience a sound bath — simply allowing yourself to rest is enough.

  • Sound baths are generally very gentle experiences. However, if you are pregnant, have sound sensitivities, use hearing devices, or have a medical condition that may be affected by sound, you are encouraged to reach out beforehand so we can discuss what will feel most comfortable for you.

  • Most sound bath sessions last 60 minutes, though if you are hoping to host a private event it can be customized.

Background on Sound Healing

What the Science Says

1. Brainwave Entrainment
Rhythmic sounds—such as drumming or binaural beats—can help synchronize brainwaves to specific frequencies, a process called entrainment. This has been linked to:

  • Decreased anxiety and stress

  • Better sleep onset

  • Improved focus and meditative states

Example: A 2019 meta-analysis in Psychological Research found that binaural beats can positively affect mood and cognition.

2. Music Therapy
While not identical to sound healing, music therapy is a related and well-researched practice. Studies have shown that music can:

  • Reduce cortisol (the stress hormone)

  • Lower anxiety and heart rate

  • Aid in PTSD, depression, and pain management

Example: A 2013 study in The Lancet found that music therapy reduced preoperative anxiety more effectively than a sedative.

3. Vibroacoustic Therapy
This method uses low-frequency sound waves transmitted directly through the body to:

  • Reduce muscle tension

  • Improve motor function in conditions like Parkinson’s

  • Manage pain, including fibromyalgia

Example: Research published in Disability and Rehabilitation (2004) reported improved mobility and reduced pain after vibroacoustic treatment in Parkinson’s patients.

Sound, Water, and the Body

Studies in cymatics—the study of visible sound vibrations—have shown that sound can organize water molecules into intricate geometric patterns. Given the high water content of the human body, some practitioners believe sound vibrations may influence the body's energetic and cellular structures in similar ways.

Crystal singing bowls, in particular, are thought to resonate with the body’s energy centers (chakras), encouraging balance and healing. While direct scientific evidence is still emerging, the experiential and emotional benefits of sound healing are increasingly supported by both anecdotal and research-based findings.

References

Binaural Beats and Brainwave Entrainment

  • Garcia-Argibay, M., Santed, M. A., & Reales, J. M. (2019). Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: A meta-analysis. Psychological Research, 83(2), 357–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-1066-8

  • Lane, J. D., Kasian, S. J., Owens, J. E., & Marsh, G. R. (1998). Binaural auditory beats affect long-term memory. Physiology & Behavior, 63(2), 249–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9384(97)00436-8

Music Therapy

  • Bradt, J., & Dileo, C. (2013). Music interventions for mechanically ventilated patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006902.pub3

Vibroacoustic Therapy

  • McKinney, C. H., & Tschiesche, A. (2004). Vibroacoustic therapy: A review of the literature. Journal of Music Therapy, 41(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/41.1.1

Sound, Water, and the Body

  • Chladni, E. F. (1787). Entdeckungen über die Theorie des Klanges. [Discoveries in the Theory of Sound]. https://doi.org/10.3931/e-rara-11718

  • Popp, F. A., & Nagl, W. (1984). Biophoton emission and its relation to cellular regulation processes. Experientia, 40(12), 1381–1385. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01926871