Like many people right now, I’ve felt burnt out. In fact, according to the Burnout Report, nine in 10 of us have experienced high levels of stress or pressure in the past year. So, when I had the chance to attend an autumn reset sound bath, I booked on quickly.
But this kind of therapy doesn’t involve soaking in the tub, think more, the end of a yoga class with lots of lying down, eyes shut and gentle gongs chiming overhead.
Before strapping in for a night of relaxation, I decided to speak to the experts about what really happens when you sign up for some good vibrations.
What is sound healing?
Quite simply, it’s a meditation practice using gongs, singing bowls, drums, chimes and the voice to create a variety of sounds.
I’m someone who can sometimes be overstimulated by too much noise, but in the right environment, immersion in sound affects both body and mind, creating a space where deep rest and restoration can occur. Birds chirping, a favourite song, or the sweet giggles from my toddler are just a few sounds that can really boost my mood.
“Sound healing works by slowing down your brain waves and stimulating the ‘rest and digest’ part of your nervous system – essentially telling your brain that you are safe,” explains Farzana Ali, sound practitioner, wellness expert and author of Sound Healing. “It’s only when we feel safe that we can address feelings of stress and anxiety.”
What happens in the body and brain?
During a sound bath, vibrations from instruments travel through the body, interacting with tissues and fascia.
Jasmin Harsono, multi-sensory artist, international author and meditation guide, notes that many people naturally shift into slower brainwave patterns – alpha, theta or even delta – which are associated with meditation, daydreaming, and deep rest.
Farzana explains that therapeutic-grade instruments produce specific frequencies that, through a process known as sympathetic resonance (when one vibration naturally matches another), gently guide the brain into these rhythms. “In these states, the brain tells the body to ‘down tools’ so repair can happen,” she says.
Physiologically, participants may notice slower breathing, a lower heart rate, or a feeling of heaviness or lightness as tension releases. Jasmin notes, “The body, composed of around 60 to 70% water, acts as a natural conductor for sound, allowing vibrations to move freely through cells and tissues.”
In fact, recent research from Kyoto University found that sound waves can affect cellular activity, influencing processes like cell adhesion and differentiation. This suggests that sound doesn’t just impact our ears and brains; it can interact directly with our cells, supporting overall wellbeing.
“Emotions are processed, memories stored, and feelings of wellbeing increase,” Farzana says. “A sound bath simply allows you to access this for extended periods of time.”
Sound healing vs. other relaxation techniques
Sound healing shares many similarities with other restorative practices such as meditation, breathwork, and somatic movement. Each helps regulate the nervous system, bring awareness into the body, and calm the mind.
“Like meditation or breathwork, sound healing helps regulate the nervous system, bring presence and rest awareness, and support emotional balance,” explains Jasmin.
However, one key difference, she adds, is that sound healing requires no active effort. “The sound itself carries you into a meditative state through deep listening,” says Jasmin.
Farzana agrees. “Meditation is an excellent tool for improving health, but if you have a ‘monkey mind’ that’s hard to switch off, it can feel tricky,” she explains. “Sound healing offers the same benefits – and more, such as easing physical tension and pain – without the hard work. Think of it as a shortcut to the benefits of meditation.”
While practices like Yoga Nidra and breathwork also bring the body into restorative states, sound healing has the added advantage of being entirely passive. Farzana points out, “If someone is especially burnt out or overwhelmed, sound healing can be a gentler and more accessible route to recovery.”
The connection to energy flow and chakras
Sound healing is often linked to the concept of energy flow within the body, with many traditions referring to the chakra system – seven main centres of energy that influence our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
“Traditions that speak of chakras describe patterns of flow and balance within the body,” explains Jasmin. “Modern science now shows how vibration affects tissues, circulation, and cells. Different healing tones or vowel sounds tend to resonate in specific parts of the body, which can mirror the chakra system.”
These energy centres each relate to different aspects of our being. “For example,” says Jasmin, “grounding frequencies can support the root chakra, helping a person feel safe and stable in their physical body. Heart-centred frequencies can support emotional release, compassion, and connection. Sound can help the body release stagnant energy, restore balance, and move into a present-focused, meditative state.”
Farzana adds that the relationship between sound and energy is both ancient and intuitive. “Science is always catching up with ancestral knowledge,” she says. “We are energy in motion, just like sound, so it makes perfect sense that there’s a natural relationship between the two.”
How to start your sound healing journey
The simplest way to begin exploring sound healing is to experience it in person. “Attend a group session or one-to-one with a trained practitioner to start,” advises Jasmin. “Do your research to ensure they’re reputable, certified, and insured.”
At home, Jasmin suggests beginning with your own voice. “Try humming or toning – it’s one of the most accessible ways to feel vibration in the body,” she says. “You can gradually introduce instruments such as chimes or a singing bowl. Online sessions and recordings can also be effective if you choose trusted sources, though it’s not quite the same as being there in person.”
A common misconception, she adds, is that sound healing requires musical talent. “It’s not about performance or how the sound ‘sounds’ – it’s about presence, vibration, and intention,” explains Jasmin.
Sound healing is suitable for most people, but Farzana notes there are a few exceptions. “Those with certain medical conditions – for instance, anyone with a pacemaker or epilepsy – should speak to their healthcare provider or practitioner before attending a session,” she advises.
What happened when I went to a sound bath
The class I attended, led by Briony Lawton, combined Yoga Nidra, guided meditation, and a sound bath – the perfect reset. True to form, I arrived slightly flustered and running late, hardly the ideal state to begin a relaxation session in. But as soon as I was cocooned beneath soft blankets, eyes closed, listening to Imelda May’s spoken-word poem Home, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
As a mother, there was something profoundly comforting about another woman gently tucking me in, her voice low and reassuring as she guided us into rest. My body sank deeper into stillness, even as my mind continued to race – or so I thought.
When the sound healing began, I felt a distinct shift. My body grew heavier, anchored to the ground, yet there was an ease and spaciousness within. It was as if every cell was exhaling. I’d assumed my mind was still busy, until Briony started to bring us back into the room. I realised I’d drifted far deeper than expected – I had to prise my eyes open.
Afterwards, we were offered herbal tea and a square of dark chocolate to help ground us before heading home. I drove back feeling calm, clear and nourished – and that night, I slept better than I have in months.
