How to Create Immersive, Multi-Sensory Sound Baths

One thing I’ve noticed since realising I have ADHD is that I’m particularly sensitive to my sensory environment. Sounds, lights and scents have a big impact on how I feel. We are all impacted on some level by the sensory input we receive. Think about how you’d feel stepping into a room with bright fluorescent lights compared to a room with fairy lights and candles. It’s a completely different atmosphere. 

As a sound practitioner, I think it’s so important to curate an atmosphere that makes it easier for people to relax, decompress and take away what they need from the sound bath. That’s why I think beyond the crystal singing bowls to the full sensory experience. Here are some ways to craft a welcoming and calming environment for your sessions.

The benefits of focusing on multiple senses in sound baths

It’s so worth creating a layered multi-sensory experience when you run sound baths. It elevates the experience of participants in the session and encourages them to come back again.

Counteract the commute - People often arrive at events rushing in after a busy commute on the bus or struggling to find a parking spot. This spikes stress which is the opposite of what we’re trying to do. As practitioners, we can bring the stress back down by creating an environment that’s calming for every sense. 

Make the most of every minute - Your sound bath might be the only thing attendees do for themselves that week or that month. Help them to make the most of every minute they have to step away from normal life to look after themselves with a room that’s comforting from the moment they walk in.

Environment switch - The contrast between the overwhelm of their commute and everyday lives and the peaceful atmosphere of your session will prompt the mind and body to calm down. It’s clear that they’re in a safe space to rest and recuperate. The sooner they start to relax, the better their sound bath experience!

Different ways to activate the senses

Prompting relaxation through multiple senses doesn’t need to be complicated. There are things you can set up before participants arrive so you can focus on greeting people and playing crystal singing bowls. 

Incense - Burning incense is part of ceremonies across cultures. It adds a lovely scent to the room that is distinct enough for people to anchor to as they connect to the present moment and the session you’re going to guide them through. Place a couple of incense dishes around the room and have the incense burning before your guests walk into the room so that it immediately activates their sense of smell

Palo santo - Palo santo has a deep history as a method of energetic cleansing. You could use it as you prepare the space ahead of time or light it at the beginning of your sound bath as a joint cleansing ritual. As it burns in its dish, the waves of smoke only add to the atmosphere. 

Soft lighting - Avoid bright overhead lighting if possible. Obviously, you need enough light for people to be able to see as they move around the room. If sticking to candles, fairy lights and warm lamps is possible, it really softens the intensity of the space and lets the eyes relax. 

Cacao ceremony - This requires a little more involvement but it pairs wonderfully with a sound bath. As well as traversing sound, sight and smell, bring in the sense of taste with a cacao ceremony. This is an ancient ritual for opening the heart and reconnecting to the self. It’s a lovely ritual to do as a group in preparation for a sound journey. 

It only makes sense that the input we get from the outside world influences how we feel inside. As sound practitioners, we can curate the space where we welcome clients, using these techniques to send relaxing signals through sensory input before we have played a single bowl. It helps clients reach a state of relaxation sooner, go deeper into relaxation and stay in relaxation. 

As I expand the I Know This Girl collection, I’m adding items to support these complementary rituals for multi-sensory sound baths. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when they are available to purchase. For now, if you have any questions about crystal singing bowls or sound healing tools, book a discovery call.