The basics

Using voice, instrumentation and vibration, sound therapy meditation is a practice that encourages deep relaxation and mindfulness. During the average journey, participants lie on the ground to soak up the allencompassing sound waves.

It’s said that the specific vibrations and frequencies enable one to regenerate and rebalance on physical, mental and emotional levels. For my sound journey debut, I joined a gong bath meditation class at Auckland’s Golden Yogi.

Giving it a bash

Gongs aren’t the first thing that come to mind when you think of a peaceful experience. After all, the oversized cymbals were originally purposed to signal field workers. Some are loud enough to be heard 8 kilometres away.

At Golden Yogi, the room was lined with yoga mats, yoga bolsters and blankets. An arsenal of instruments sat at the front of the class. Two suspended gongs sat either side. The class member next to me was already deep in a meditative state. He clearly wasn’t as nervous about the size of the room and the humongous gongs.

Both tutors began the class by relaying a pertinent message about the new moon and how the transition from Capricorn to Aquarius encourages breaking through barriers, setting resolutions, and that anything is possible. For this experience we would be practising the Kundalini style of meditation.

It began in a cross-legged sitting position with some deep, controlled breathing. A collection of singing mantras, if you knew the words, followed. ‘‘Sa, ma, ra, se, so’’. The collective voices were otherworldly. From there, we moved into a lying position with the yoga bolster perched beneath our knees, our eyes closed and our palms facing upwards to receive energy.

The instruments kicked off. There were bells, chimes, and a drum that evolved from a staccato rhythm to a full-blown gallop – like something from a horror soundtrack. The heat pump rattled. The crystal singing bowls gave off a sensational resonance that vibrated through the entire body.

A bouquet of herbs was set alight and a pleasant smoky aroma filled the room. Soaking up the cacophony, I gathered that the sense of the noise was to block distractions and act as something to focus on. It worked like a trance. Between instruments, the faint sound of snoring could be heard.

The two sacred gongs, one named Symphonic and the other Planet Chiron, served as the grand finale. They were played in and out of unison before a powerful gong wash (referred to as ‘‘bathing’’) enveloped the room for an extended amount of time. Despite transitioning through relaxed, restless and alert states, I felt recharged after the two-hour session.

Why you should try it

According to Auckland’s Golden Yogi, sound journeys can especially be helpful for people who find it difficult to relax, suffer from insomnia, anxiety or other disturbances of the nervous system. ‘‘By being exposed to a specific rhythm of a drum and the vibrations of the gong, our brain waves slow down to a Theta state, which we usually only achieve in a deep state of meditation and relaxation.’’

Risk rating

There is little to no risk with sound journey meditation. Those with a history of migraines and sensitive ears should perhaps look elsewhere. Those intending to use meditation as treatment for specific conditions should speak to a medical professional first.

Find out more

goldenyogi.co.nz

Soaking up the cacophony, I gathered that the sense of the noise was to block distractions and act as something to focus on. It worked like a trance. Between instruments, the faint sound of snoring could be heard.