Education
What is a soundbath?
From Tibetan singing bowls to Aboriginal didgeridoos, music has been used for its therapeutic effects for thousands of years. This vibrational healing technique is especially beneficial when we realize that everything is vibration. So when we begin to heal ourselves at a vibrational level, we are healing ourselves at the most basic root of existence.
You might notice that when you listen to a very peaceful song, you also begin to feel peaceful. Music, and especially crystal bowls, have the ability to help your nervous system go from sympathetic (fight or flight) into parasympathetic (rest and relaxation). In this relaxed state, your blood pressure and heart rate drop along with your cortisol levels. Cortisol is the stress hormone, and it is said that 20 minutes of meditation can lower your cortisol more than a full night's sleep!
Crystal bowls provide a particularly powerful and beneficial vibration because our bodies are actually made of crystal. We have a crystalline structure within our DNA that lights up when we are bathed in the beautiful pure tones of crystal bowls. Crystal bowls also help facilitate a deep state of relaxation. During our normal, waking life, we are typically in a beta brainwave state, which is active and alert. When we are a bit more relaxed, but still focused, we enter alpha. A deep, meditative state called theta is usually only accessible during 20 minutes of transcendental meditation, or even sleep states. But the vibration of crystal bowls has the ability to pull us into this theta state without us having to do anything at all. In that sense, soundbaths almost act as shortcuts or detours that take us straight to theta.
Another benefit of sound healing occurs on a cellular level. Sound travels 5 times faster in water, and since we are made mostly of water, the sound travels much faster within us, as well. The sound vibration shakes up our cells, helping to break apart those that have clumped together over time and grown sluggish and slow. By pulling the cells apart so they flow individually, we give our blood a little tune up so that everything functions at a more optimal state. In fact, there was just a study in which a group of volunteers had their fingers pricked to study their blood before and after 20 minutes of gong. In the before images, the doctor could see signs of dehydration in the cells, along with clumping of cells and small bacteria floating throughout the blood. After just 20 minutes of sound healing, the cells were plump and hydrated, no longer clumped, and the bacteria was gone. The benefits of soundbaths, and especially crystal bowls, are countless.
All these studies, and the history of this ancient practice, can attest to the powerful healing ability of this modality. But, all that really matters is that after a soundbath you leave feeling lighter, more at ease, and deeply connected to the world around you.
Breathwork is a practice of conscious breathing that manipulates the depth and speed of breath to either activate or rejuvenate. It is an active form of meditation that oxygenates the body and has numerous health benefits. And best of all, it’s a free tool we always have available to us! Add a couple breath patterns to your self-care toolkit and you’ll be ready for anything.
Active breathwork is often a more fast-paced or intensive breath pattern that activates the sympathetic nervous system to release stuck emotions, and helps to clear toxins. It can often bring up emotions that are stored in the tissue (as we know, the body keeps the score), and clear deep-rooted limiting beliefs. When we introduce a new pattern of breath, we are actively rewiring the brain. In this way, breathwork is an incredible biohacking modality. This experience can also emphasize self-awareness and inner peace, or open us up to altered states of consciousness that include psychedelic effects.
It’s important to note here, however, that when we do breathwork, you are always in control. You are in the driver’s seat. If you’d like to speed it up, go for it. But you can also always slow it down by taking slower breaths through the nose. During breathwork, breathing through the mouth is the gas pedal, while breathing through the nose is the break.
What is yoga nidra?
Yoga Nidra is for everybody. This beautiful practice literally translates to yogic sleep — all you have to do is lay down and receive! Through a series of guided breathing, conscious awareness, body scans, visualizations and intention setting, this practice has a very gentle but profound way of tapping into the subconscious mind. It has been shown to be extremely helpful for insomnia and sleep disorders, along with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Simply 20 minutes of yoga nidra can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) as much as a full REM cycle, and really packs a punch.
Some benefits include:
Reduces anxiety and stress
Can help alleviate depression
Aids in pain management
Soothes the central nervous system
Good for lowering blood pressure
Aids in reducing cortisol levels
Promotes restful sleep
Bolsters the immune system
