I went to a sound bath to see if it would help my anxiety. Here are my results.

I turn up to some wellness treatments a little hesitant to try them, namely oxygen chambers and cryotherapy, while for others I arrive far more willing – and this was one of them.

The fact I repeatedly hear how great sound baths are, coupled with it having been a long couple of weeks, meant I was fully ready to succumb to whatever soothing tones would grace my ears and take a moment to truly rest.

I was told this class would begin with a tarot reading – great, why not? – and involve some 'energy healing', but otherwise, I thought it would just be a typical sound bath.

While Sacred Tones, the wellness centre I visited, does offer gong and bowl sessions (what I imagine to be 'typical'), it seems the class I was booked for ended up being a little more of a...journey.

I must have missed the small print, as it was a vocal-only sound bath and a little more interactive than I was expecting...

Sound baths at a glance

🧘Health hack reviewed: Sound bath, my class called 'tarot reading and energy healing'

⏰ Time of treatment: 50 mins

💸Price: £33 (for all classes, including 'Gong')

✅Pros experienced: Different practices complimenting each other in one session, relaxing for mind and body, uplifted and better mood after, more in touch with self

❌Cons experienced: Wanted more time dedicated to the actual sound bath, headache/migraine after

📝Rating: 4/5

What is a sound bath?

Sound baths are a meditative experience where you lie down with therapeutic sounds washing over you. A classic sound bath, for example, might involve the old majestic sounds of gongs, or crystal bowls with harmonic sounds. But there are many different variations to try.

This one involved my guide's 'unique approach to vibrational singing'. While this class specifically aims to help 'return spiritual energies to equilibrium' (matched well with the tarot to help move you forward in life and the 'hands-on energy healing'), they all have similar intended benefits.

These include relaxation, reduced stress and anxiety, improved physical and mental states, released emotions, better mental clarity, improved sleep and more. The history of sound baths originates from ancient civilisations like Greece, Egypt, India and Thailand.

My thoughts

On my arrival, I was handed a herbal tea before I sat in the 'waiting room', a cosy and calm space with low floor sofas, with just two other women. I wondered if it would just be a class of three, and the midday time on a weekday meant it was. Not quite the full room I was expecting, but it certainly made for a more intense experience.

We positioned ourselves on the soft cosy mats, complete with blankets, pillows and bolsters in a lovely, dimly lit room. Our guide, Tor, began with the tarot reading, and we were each asked to introduce ourselves and ask a question to the cards.

Chosen first, but not quite sure how 'deep' people got, I asked about my career and got some pretty useful insights. Whether this was based off the tiny nuggets of info I'd given him, or true chance and intuition, is hard to tell, but it did really resonate. The woman next to me then shared a very personal health experience for the basis of her question, and the other opened up about her grief.

Okay, this really was a safe space.

We then lay down, eyes closed, and ready for the sound bath.

Tor began guiding us through some breathwork and visualisations which, I imagine, was the start of him using his voice to speak to us spiritually.

He then began to sing, not with lyrics, but in notes, tones, and vibrational effects. It was ethereal, with what felt like some sombre sadder sounds depicted in his voice and at other times more uplifting notes. Some bits can also only be described as sounding a bit, well, animalistic...

My thoughts wandered at times, but I did find myself truly zenning out, feeling my mind and body relaxing. It was certainly different to what I was expecting, and while I may have imagined someone singing in this way in an intimate quiet room might have made me giggle, I was aware of just how important the class was for everyone, which forced me to properly immerse myself, let go and reap the rewards.

This also helped for one moment in particular. I suddenly felt him hold my head from behind, while he sang over my face, my eyes still (very tightly at this point) closed.

Again, something I might not have imagined myself being able to take seriously, but that I actually eased into, and felt better for it (lighter, more trusting maybe?).

It made sense for this to be part of the 'healing', a moment to focus the vibrational sounds on each individual personally.

My only real complaint is that the sound bath part of the experience didn't last long enough. I left feeling lighter, happier, more optimistic and zen, like I'd got in touch with myself more. I appreciated the combination of practices and techniques, which all complemented each other. I was glad I didn't quite know what it would be like, otherwise I might not have done it and missed out.

However, seemingly unrelated at the time, I started to get a bit of a dull headache the same day, which then turned into a full blown migraine the next day. I then heard sound baths can actually cause headaches (the same had happened to someone else), and my research confirmed it might really be a thing the first time you experience one.

Under potential negative effects of a sound bath, the CALM website, for example, states: "The powerful vibrations can sometimes lead to headaches or dizziness in sensitive people." This might be during or after the class. Perhaps this is due to the body releasing pent-up negative energy (or a more scientific explanation...)?

Pros experienced

• Sound bath complemented by additional practices

• Helped me let go, more in touch with self

• Relaxing for both mind and body during

• Felt uplifted and happier after

Cons experienced

• More time could have been given to the actual sound bath

• Headache and migraine after (though of course, can't prove mine was caused by this)

Would I do it again?

Absolutely. While I would do this particular session again as it felt like it offered something unique (and I might even ask a more personal question in the tarot), I would like to try a more classic gong or bowls session next.

I might also have to book it in for the weekend, just in case the headache strikes again.

The person I'd spoken to said they only got one after their first sound bath and then not again, so there's hope for me yet (and this review's current high rating!).

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