Intrigued by sound therapy? You should be – Health and Wellness Nashville

Sound therapy bowl

A 12-course meal served sound style. Intrigued? If life is making your blood boil these days, sound meditation can bring it down to a cool simmer. A scintillating, vibrating and rejuvenating trip. What!? WHAT IS A HAUM SOUNDBATH? It’s a sumptuous meal for your soul. Using a series of holistic (and non-holistic) methods – we seek to soothe your senses from tip to tail. In essence – a sound bath is a series of vibrational instruments that create movement in your body, which is 70% water.

Why should I try it? Sound meditation- I could give you a definition and you can Google it – but a HAUM sound meditation, you’re in for a treat. Start with a choosing a spirit animal card because it’s just plain fun, and gives you an anchor to work with- permission to break free. And then, choose a crystal- ready to back out? Too woo for you? Hang on bunnies; it just gets more fun…I know you’re ready. The crystal either has healing power or is insanely beautiful to look at and provides a wonderful placebo. Either way, keep coming into the ocean.

Ah yes, the water is warm, the seagulls caw- you’re ready to lay down and listen to the sound waves wash over you. Let yourself recline completely, don an eye mask and prop a pillow under your legs if it’s handy. Ok, you’re set. A few breathing exercises to soothe the nerves and we’re off. Where to? Your heart’s desire. Sound waves temporarily let your prefrontal cortex take a nap (you know- the ultimate dad that always says no). We need our prefrontal cortex (logic) to keep us from walking into oncoming traffic. But for now, sayonara sucker-it’s time to engage the hippocampus & amygdala- all the yes in life, all the possibilities-full gas, full speed ahead- no pesky prefrontal cortex to shut down your hopes and dreams before you can even explore them.

What happens? The sound bowls lull you into a theta wave state- a dream state (hence the turning into a panther.) Still with me? Oh yes, keep going on this ride- you’re in control- unlike a dream state- you’re conscious during this Technicolor trip- which means you can change the course if you like. You may simply go into a deep sleep state, you may see shapes and colors, you may meet your inner child or dance with your ancestors. It’s really up to your imagination. Pretty cool right? Research also shows it feels similar to getting eight to ten hours of sleep, so if you’re just looking to recharge your batteries, this is just the ticket too.

Ok, ok. I’m on a fun/strange/out of my comfort zone trip, now what? Now my darling, it’s time to reawaken. Listen to the sound of my voice as I coo you awake. You’ll write in your journal and hopefully have picked up one of my infamous Rose Quartz margarita mixes and lavender lemon ginger dark chocolate packs to welcome you back to reality. And now? Now it’s time to set your intentions on fire. Write down something you don’t need in your life anymore and something you’d like to manifest for your future. Set.it.on.fire (safely, in a bowl). Gaze at that flame, baby. It’s good for your eyes. Drink in the fire. So good to combat all that tech glaring. See that smoke smolder. Welcome it in. And voila. You’ve done it. You’ve just had your first HAUM sound bath. Easy.

Body vibrating? Soul stirred? Haum sound meditation should have you buzzing, renewed and restored. Why? Science + Soul. That’s it. That’s the key. There are a lot more technicalities that you can research if you like, that’s the core of it. It’s vibrational energy- some we understand as thetas waves and brain waves and parasympathetic breathing, suggestive modeling and downright flash and sparkle. The rest of it? It’s the soul. It’s how you know your child is calling out for you in the night; it’s why you know you’re in love. It’s an energy, a feeling that we haven’t quite explained yet. But damn if it feels good.

Rebecca Gale is the founder of HAUM Nashville.

Related article: How meditation can impact your life.