Do you know what a Sound Bath is?

Here at Oakham Nub News, we didn't either, so we popped along to a local session to find out more. 

Hosted by Samantha Jones-Burton of 'Self and Sound', the monthly event takes place at Rutland Showground and lasts for 1 hour. 

It is a meditation-style session in which Sam plays a variety of instruments while the group lay, snuggled under all of the duvets, pillows and blankets they can carry, and let the sound 'wash' over them – hence the name 'Sound Bath.' 

To start the session, Sam introduced herself and her instruments and talked a bit about the science behind this unusual practice. 

Sam Plays a range of instruments during the session. Image credit: Samantha Jones-Burton.

Each month Sam introduces an 'intention' for the group (a useful practice, information or thought-provoking idea on physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being) that the group can meditate on and take away with them.

Researchers have found that sound waves affect the human nervous system and decrease blood pressure, and slow down hectic brainwaves even more so than traditional meditation, which explains the ever-increasing popularity of this practice. It is meditation for people who are not good at meditation.

The aim of a Sound Bath is to guide you into a deep, meditative state, help reduce blood pressure, stabilise heart rate, focus on wellbeing and promote the release of tension, pain, and anxiety.

Users of the practice report feelings of calmness, energy, restfulness, and pain relief. It also helps with insomnia - something that attendees at the Sound Bath I went to reported. 

She starts the sessions by using a series of breathing techniques and relaxation methods to make the participants feel comfortable and loose, as well as spraying a Scent, Florida Water, that is calming and musky. 

The Sound Bath itself began with Sam playing the Ocean Drum, which omits a sound like waves on the sand. It is hard to tell where the sound is coming from, with your eyes shut and your brain getting used to the setting, but the sense of calm is immediate. 

She continues to play the big frame drum - a resonant, mellow sound that you can physically feel on your body. The sensation? I can only be describe it as syrupy, as if your body is being held in a bubble of honey, allowing your muscles to unwind and your thoughts to become quiet.

'Don't fight the gong,' Sam laughed. 'The gong will win.' Image credit: Samantha Jones-Burton.

As the session progresses and more instruments are played your body relaxes and your brainwaves slow. People have varied reactions to this.  

I saw colours fading in and out behind my eyelids and felt as if my hands and feet had lost contact with the yoga mat on which I was lying. 

Others described feelings of energy passing through them, while others fell asleep – something Sam said was "nothing to be ashamed of and shows that you have slowed your brainwaves down to Delta level which is a very relaxed state."

Although this was a new experience to many in attendance, there was a level of trust in the room, and no one had any qualms shutting their eyes and embracing the experience. 

Sam guides everyone through the process and, once the Sound Bath is over, encourages a calm and slow re-entry to the room, gently waking those who have fallen asleep. Sam then explains that sound bathing has a cumulative effect and changes over time… "the more you let go, the deeper you go!"

She said: "Sound Baths are my passion. I discovered Sound Bathing a few years ago and the benefits of that once a month, oasis of peace. I love the relaxation and release, the growing ability to meditate and physical and mental calming. I just want to make Sound Bathing geographically and financially accessible to everyone. I suppose when you find something good it's natural to want to share it."

A range of instruments and sounds are used by Sam. Image credit: Samantha Jones-Burton.

Sam has Sound Baths in:

• Oakham
• Barrowby near Grantham
• Burton Lazars near Melton Mowbray
• Long Clawson in the Vale of Belvoir
• Thurgarton near Southwell
• Plumtree near West Bridgford
• Loughborough

Fully qualified and insured, she is also available for private Sound Baths, small groups, couples and individual Sound Therapy, and will come to you, even doing sound baths for groups in private gardens if the weather allows.

The next Sound Bath set to take place at Rutland Showground will be on 15 June at 7pm, although it is imperative to pre-book and participants should arrive early to get settled and introduced. 

You can buy a loved one a Sound Bath voucher for £15. Image credit: Samantha Jones-Burton.

The classes have a maximum capacity of 30. 

Bring a yoga mat, sleeping bag, pillow, jumper, water or whatever you need to make yourself comfy.

Sam said: "An hour is a long time to lay on the floor, so bring what you need to make yourself as cosy and comfortable as possible".

Book the next session for £15 here. 

Sam concluded: "I look forward to meeting more Sound Bathers and setting out on this journey with them."