On Nov.5 at 4:30 p.m., Highland Yoga at Kinnelon held a sound bath yoga event instructed by Katherine Roman. The event’s purpose was to let the attendees experience the sound waves to help them relax.
As part of the sound bath experience, all the participants were offered a yoga mat, two blankets, some affirmation notes, and lavender as a gift to take home, and the first 15 minutes of the session were devoted to deep meditation and breathing, elevating parasympathetic response, allowing people to reach the state of relaxation. After the meditation, Roman asked the participants to lie on their backs and listen to the sound waves.
During the whole event, the atmosphere was silent and dark. Roman utilized unique bowls and tools to create special therapeutic sound waves. Roman uses the bowls to help people relax, which is valuable for people suffering from anxiety. The bowl’s vibration resonates with people’s bodies, helping them balance the left and right hemispheres. Additionally, anyone already in a restful state will benefit from the relaxation and lower cortisol levels the bowls promote. Each bowl is made with extreme care and thought and has unique benefits.
“People have done studies where the sound, like planetary sound like Uranus, are the same sounds of the bowls. The bowl that I have is the Venus gong, so it’s the celestial body of Venus in the solar system. So the overtones of all that you hear are the same as on the planet, like out in the universe,” said the instructor, Roman.
It is easy for people to forget about their mental health while working, which is detrimental to their well-being. While it might be hard for some to attend these sessions, it is possible to gain the same benefits by doing a sound bath at home. People don’t have to focus intensely to relax. It’s just hearing the sound. There is no need for pre-work before receiving a sound bath, and even people without specific tools can use their vocals, such as toning their voices. People can hum, chant mantras, sing, or whistle to have similar benefits.
This is a link to the Highland Yoga website to show their upcoming events.
https://www.highlandyoga.com/copy-of-workshops-events
“We internally have our sound human instrument; it’s all the same vibration, and many people do sea mantra, or a rue chakra, the sacral, the solar, the heart, the throat, and then the waves cycle around [the] third eye crown,” said Roman.
The sound bath does have its limitations, and doctors don’t recommend it for people with epilepsy or hearing problems. If someone suffers from these, it is recommended that they consult with their doctor before attending a sound bath session. Despite the limits, people who suffer from these conditions may still be able to join these sessions.
“I have people come, like I’ve had people with tinnitus, and she comes to my sound bath, and there’s nothing to worry about, and she’s perfectly fine. So it does depend from person to person,” said Roman.
It can be scary when it’s people’s first time doing a sound bath; however, being open and receptive can help since it is a therapeutic modality. People must research the teacher before taking any sound bath lessons to ensure they can assist them in attaining their desired results. Determining whether the teacher has experience using bowls before is also crucial. People may also join Highland Yoga programs to discover other different relaxing techniques.
“Everyone is so awesome and caring, it’s just a wonderful experience here, especially hearing the sound bath. It’s really relaxing, and it feels like I am asleep. It’s weird to describe, but it helps me relax,” said Sophia Aciego, a college student who attended the sound bath event.
