July 24, 2025

Discover the Different Types of Sound Baths and How They Heal

This world rarely stops spinning and sound baths offer a unique invitation to pause, receive, and reconnect. As more people seek natural, holistic ways to restore their energy and inner peace, sound healing has rapidly grown in popularity, and for good reason. Whether it’s the deep resonance of a gong or the ethereal tones of alchemy crystal bowls, each sound bath has the power to soothe the nervous system and elevate consciousness.

At I AM BEING, we hold space for you to immerse yourself in the full spectrum of sound healing, with thoughtfully curated sound bath sessions in London. In this blog, we’ll explore the various instruments used in sound baths—gongs, alchemy bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, chimes and more—and how each one creates a different energetic and emotional experience.

What Is a Sound Bath?

A sound bath is a meditative experience where participants are “bathed” in sound frequencies produced by healing instruments. Unlike traditional music, these instruments produce sustained notes, overtones and vibrations that entrain the brain into a relaxed state. Sound baths are typically experienced lying down in a cosy, supported space, with eyes closed and the body surrendered.

The beauty of a sound bath is that you don’t need to “do” anything. The sounds do the work, shifting energy, balancing the chakras, calming the mind and awakening deep states of presence.

Why Are Sound Baths Healing?

From a scientific perspective, sound affects us on a cellular level. The frequencies produced by different instruments interact with the brain and body, guiding it into a parasympathetic (rest and digest) state. This helps reduce cortisol levels, ease tension, and restore inner balance.

Spiritually, sound baths work by clearing energetic blocks and bringing the chakras into harmony. Many people report emotional releases, visions, clarity, and an overall sense of lightness after a session.

Gong Baths: Deep, Cosmic and Transformative

Gongs are one of the most powerful instruments used in sound healing. Their multi-layered frequencies create a sense of cosmic vastness and often transport people into altered states of consciousness.

Healing Benefits of Gongs

Disrupts repetitive thought patterns
Encourages emotional release
Clears energetic blockages
Deeply restorative for the nervous system

Gong baths are particularly helpful when you feel mentally overloaded or emotionally stagnant. Their power lies in their unpredictability—no two sessions are ever the same.

Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls: Light, Angelic and Heart-Opening

These bowls are made from pure quartz crystal often fused with precious stones, minerals or metals such as rose quartz, platinum, gold or ruby. Each combination creates a unique tone and frequency, amplifying specific healing intentions.

Experience of Alchemy Bowls

During a sound bath with alchemy bowls at I AM BEING, the experience is often described as angelic or celestial. The tones are pure, high, and crystalline, often evoking emotional shifts and heart-opening sensations.

Healing Benefits of Alchemy Bowls

Aligns the chakras
Raises your vibration
Encourages intuitive clarity
Connects you to your inner truth

Alchemy bowls are particularly supportive for those working through emotional healing or spiritual awakening. Their soft yet potent tones gently guide you inward with grace and sensitivity.

Tibetan Singing Bowls: Earthy, Grounding and Balancing

Traditionally hand-hammered from a blend of metals, Tibetan singing bowls have been used for centuries in monasteries and spiritual rituals. Their deep, grounding vibrations bring a sense of peace and connectedness.

Healing Benefits of Tibetan Bowls

Grounds the body
Clears mental fog
Balances masculine/feminine energies
Supports stillness and introspection

These bowls are perfect for those newer to sound healing, or anyone seeking a more earthy, centred experience.

Koshi Chimes and Wind Chimes: Gentle, Joyful and Uplifting

These delicate instruments add a lightness and sweetness to the soundscape. Koshi chimes, made in the Pyrenees, are tuned to the elements—Earth, Air, Water, and Fire—each one bringing a unique quality.

Experience of Chimes

The sound of chimes drifting through a sound bath is often likened to fairy bells or gentle breezes. At I AM BEING, we use them at key moments to lift the energy, invite joy, or close a journey with softness.

Healing Benefits of Chimes

Eases tension gently
Brings a sense of playfulness
Invites elemental connection
Resets the mood and emotional state

They’re ideal for sensitive souls and anyone who feels overwhelmed by louder instruments.

Drums and Shamanic Percussion: Primal, Awakening and Energetic

Drums speak to the most ancient part of us—the heartbeat. Whether it’s a shamanic frame drum or ocean drum, the pulse of rhythm reminds us of our connection to the Earth and to life itself.

Healing Benefits of Drums

Energises and awakens
Clears heavy or stuck energy
Grounds you into the body
Connects to ancestral wisdom

Drumming is powerful for releasing blocked emotions and activating personal power.

Voice and Chanting: The Most Ancient Instrument

Your voice is your most intimate sound healing tool. At I AM BEING, some sessions include mantra, overtone singing or gentle toning to guide the group deeper.

Healing Benefits of Voice

Encourages self-expression
Opens the throat chakra
Aligns intention with vibration
Fosters community and connection

Whether you’re listening or participating, the power of vocal sound can be deeply moving and unforgettable.

What to Expect from a Sound Bath with I AM BEING

We welcome you into a softly lit, cocooned space in London where mats, blankets and cushions are provided for your comfort. After a gentle arrival and grounding meditation, you’ll be guided into stillness as the journey of sound begins.

Each session is different—sometimes themed around the seasons, moon cycles or energy centres. We intuitively blend instruments to create a dynamic yet gentle experience that meets you exactly where you are.

Many people report:

Vivid dreams or visual imagery
Emotional release and inner clarity
Deep relaxation and better sleep
A renewed sense of purpose and peace

How to Choose the Right Sound Bath for You

If you’re new to sound healing, you might wonder which type is best. The truth is, you don’t need to choose—just receive the full spectrum of healing.

That said, here’s a little guide:

Choose gongs if you need a big shift or breakthrough
Choose alchemy bowls if you want to feel more love, clarity or connection
Choose Tibetan bowls if you need grounding and stability
Choose chimes if you’re seeking lightness or emotional ease
Choose drums if you want to shift stuck energy or feel energised

Or just come with an open heart—and let the sounds meet you exactly where you are.

The I AM BEING Difference

At I AM BEING, sound is more than a healing tool—it’s a spiritual language. Each session is curated with love, ceremony and presence. Our team is deeply trained in Reiki, cacao ceremony, yoga, energy work and intuitive healing. We bring all these elements into our sound baths to create a multi-dimensional, heart-led experience.

You’re not just attending a session. You’re entering a portal of remembrance—of who you are beyond the noise of the world.

Final Thoughts: Let Yourself Be Moved

In a culture of noise, silence is sacred. But in a sound bath, we find both—a tapestry of tones that guide us back home. Whether it’s the celestial hum of alchemy bowls or the primal beat of a drum, sound touches the parts of us that words cannot reach.

At I AM BEING, we invite you to surrender to sound. Let it recalibrate your body, elevate your spirit and remind you that you are whole.

Book your next sound bath in London with I AM BEING and experience the magic of frequency, intention and heart-led healing.

Being,

Gizelle Renee Xx