What if I'm not good at meditating or am new to sound baths?

You’re in the right place! Sound baths require no previous experience and are a great learning tool for calming the racing thoughts in your mind and encouraging your body to relax on command. It can be hard to control the mind with the mind, which is why the sensory stimuli of a sound bath can be helpful for reaching a relaxed state. Modern humans have been trained all through life to spring into action and be active on command, consequently intentional relaxation is a vital counterbalance to the constant activation. Sound baths are a perfect way to make conscious relaxation a regular part of your wellness routine.

What are the benefits of a sound bath?

One of the most commonly reported benefits of sound baths is relief from stress and anxiety, which in turn allows for a state of deep relaxation and restoration. Benefits can be experienced on the physiological level, like lowering high blood pressure, slowing rapid heart rate, and boosting the immune system, as well as mentally and emotionally, like feeling calm and centered with improved focus and creativity. Some participants may find it spiritually enriching, though the experience is not bound to any specific philosophy or dogma. Some people report that even just 20 min of a sound bath feels as restful and restorative as several hours of quality sleep.

Will your sound bath be like other sound baths I've been to?

There is no universal standard for sound baths, and each sound bath facilitator has their own way of conducting sessions. While the specific proceedings and instruments may differ, the most common intention is to provide a supportive container so that participants can deeply and fully relax. Each session is unique, because every moment in time is a unique intersection of factors never to be replicated exactly. All are invited to attend with open minds and open hearts for the best experience.

What is taiji quan?

Taiji quan is a movement practice that originated as a martial arts training tool in China, traced to the late 1600s. It is a relatively young practice if you consider that the foundations of the movement and its correlating Daoist philosophies had been developing for millenia prior. The practice is generally done slowly and can be adapted to suit a wide demographic. Many people today incorporate it into their regular self-care and wellness routines.

What if I have no experience and have never done anything like this before?

Taiji is infinitely modifiable for all levels!

Is taiji quan the same as tai chi?

Yes, these different spellings refer to the same practice, they just come from different systems of romanization. “Tai chi” comes from the Wade-Giles system that was created between 1850-1900 by two British men whose surnames were Wade and Giles. In the 1950s, a Chinese linguist developed the pinyin system, which literally translates to “spelling sounds.” Pinyin is the more widely used system today and is the format that we are using here.

What’s the difference between taiji quan and qigong?

Qigong literally translates to working with energy and is a broad umbrella term for a multitude of practices that involve working with qi. These can be standing, seated, lying down, static, moving, and there are a plethora of styles and practices. Taiji quan more specifically refers to a movement form that originated as a martial arts training tool involving the physical body as well as an internal energy component. So, in fact, taiji quan can technically be considered a type of qigong.