What Is A Gong Bath?
by Kristin Bolton, LMT
I experienced a gong bath for the first time as part of a yoga class. My teacher, Joan, always had a special treat during our rest at the end of class while we lay back in “shivasana”. She would kneel in front of us beside a large, beautifully crafted gong, and bathe us in sound and vibration. Starting out soft and low, Joan would gently strike the instrument with a padded mallet and coax us deeper into a state of restorative relaxation. I loved the sensation of drifting further out yet deeper within at the same time, feeling my energy expanding as she would slowly crescendo into greater waves of sound. The palpable and complex vibrations washing over made me feel like I was floating in some beautiful cosmic sea! Joan would take her time in bringing us back to Earth as she softened and slowed her technique, eventually bringing the session to a close. These gong baths were something I always looked forward to and kept me coming back to her class week after week.
The gong is a popular instrument to use for sound therapy because it’s emotive and soothing tones have a uniquely palpable quality. Gongs used for sound healing are masterfully crafted instruments that provide luscious and complex frequencies to wash over your entire being - taking you on a journey within and without, from your inner most core to your most expansive sensation.
Effects of a Gong Bath can include:
Deep restorative relaxation
Tension release for mind and body
Energy clearing
Creative or spiritual visions
Lower heart rate and blood pressure
Increased melatonin, endorphin and dopamine
Greater mental clarity
The gong is a highly specialized instrument, intentionally crafted and used by people all around the world for over 4,000 years. Coming from the people of East and Southeast Asia, the gong was fast to find affection from the world at large. We see it used for all kinds of purposes: in traditional ceremonies, in the percussion section at the symphony, as a feature in homes and gardens, and for therapeutic practices as well. A gong used for sound baths today is crafted specifically for that purpose: to produce frequencies that guide you into a restorative healing state, washing over your mind, body and spirit. If you enjoy live instruments and are looking to enhance your wellbeing in a creative new way, give a Gong Bath a try!
About the author: Kristin Bolton is a licensed massage therapist and professional drummer in Kona, Hawaii. She is happy to now be offering Gong Bath services, combining her love for healing arts with her other love, percussion instruments.
