Part meditation and part otherworldly nap, "sound baths" are meditation sessions that employ sounds and vibrations from crystal bowls, tuning forks, and rainforest sticks for a relaxing and healing experience.
Devotees claim the benefits of sound baths include relief from chronic pain, digestive issues, stress, and depression. If this, er, sounds like what you need to quiet that monkey mind, we've rounded up the five best sound-healing experts in the Bay Area to help you get your aural on.
(Courtesy of @thecentersf)
The Center SF
The Center SF hosts regular events that involve detoxing and healing with sound. Look for experiences like the Chakra Soundbath & Tea Ceremony with Maryzelle Ungo, which uses seven different chakra crystal bowls to guide you to a more balanced and harmonized state, and the Sound Immersion Expereince with Danny Goldberg, which harnesses the vibrations of gongs and singing bowls for deep relaxation. // 548 Fillmore St. (Lower Haight), thecentersf.com
Inner Sounds Meditation
Melissa Felsenstein offers sound healing experiences at venues around the Bay Area, as well as online. Paiste gongs and quartz singing bowls are played throughout an hour-long sound savasana meant to relieve tension in the body and promote deep rest. Themes range from restorative to mindful movement. // Rotating locations virtual and in-person locations, innersoundsmeditation.com
Sound Meditation SF
A local sound-healing outfit that follows the vibrational-healing philosophy of Nada Yoga, Sound Meditation SF livestreams sound baths on Wednesdays and Sundays. Students lay in savasana while the instructor uses gongs, crystal singing bowls, shamanic drums, and chimes to create healing vibrations. // Virtual events at soundmeditationsf.com
The Center for Integrative Wellness
The sound healing ceremonies at Pacifica outfit The Center for Integrative Wellness coincide with the full moon. The events are a time to manifest and celebrate new beginnings while clearing and releasing stress. The donation-based ceremonies take place monthly (outdoors when possible) and are also streamed virtually. The next healing is on November 22 at 7pm. // 15 W Manor Dr. (Pacifica), facebook.com/wellnesscenterpacifica
Aura Stream
The Bay Area healing collective Aura Stream leads regular sound bath pop-ups around the Bay, as well as for private groups and individuals. On November 17, celebrate their three year "auraversery" with a sound bowl healing and meditation event at Manila Taekwando in Union City. Register in advance to participate. // Various locations, theaurastream.com
