Having long been interested in alternative therapies, until recently I had never been to a Gong or Sound Bath, although I had always wanted to experience one.
During our time at the Om Yoga Show last year, I met Joanna Bilik from Gongfree (gongfree.com) who runs Gong and Sound Therapy Accredited Courses. She also holds gong baths at the Shaolin Temple in north London, as well as other (some all-night!) events. Jo kindly invited me as a guest to experience a gong bath, and after my first experience I was keen to return. Here I'll walk you through my experience.
This time, I took my husband with me. I enjoyed going alone the first time, I could immerse myself in the experience without having to be conscious of anyone with me. But I was interested to see what someone else, for whom this wouldn't be an experience they would seek out, would take from it.
BENEFITS OF SOUND HEALING
The gong has been used through the ages as both a ceremonial and healing instrument, to create an environment that is profoundly relaxing. This mindful state activates the parasympathetic nervous system to balance an overworked sympathetic nervous one.
This isn't a piece about the science behind the sound however, there are many people more qualified than me to explain that, but the key benefits I was hoping to experience in some way were:
- Improved sleep
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Pain relief
- Improved immune function
- Emotional healing
- Inspiration
- Synaesthesia
SHAOLIN TEMPLE UK
Some years ago I lived in north London for a while, but have to admit, I didn't know this temple was there! Easy to find (once you know!), you pass through vast red gates and enter a courtyard that leads you into the building through a softly lit entrance. Every guest is met and welcomed by Joanna. When the time comes, we each file into the main room, receiving a sage cleansing and blessing on the way. Laying out our yoga mats (I also bought a pillow this time for ultimate comfort) and blankets, we settle in.
This time, the gong bath was based around the theme of Abundance. Using crystals and manifestations around this idea, Joanna encouraged us to keep that in mind throughout the session.
As Joanna started her work, immediately, the calming effects of the gong wash over me. The beautiful sounds relax me and my breath slows slightly. My mind, always busy, starts to explore gently, things not usually available to it, due to the overwhelming noise of necessary tasks and challenges. I realise how tense my body is, and slowly begin to let go of tight muscles, and stress aches and pains.
I found it hard to fully relax for probably 20 minutes or so. The 1.5 hour session felt like it really stretched ahead. Concentrating only on the sounds around me, the deep low rumbling chimes, and the lighter, higher resonating ones, I tried to fully immerse in, and surrender to, the experience.
I didn't have any of the more dramatic responses that some people do (crying is not unusual), but as I drifted in and out of sleep, being brought back continuously by a change in sound, I felt a sense of calmness and balance that I have rarely ever managed. Staying in this circular state for some time, as sound waves washed over and moved through me, the session was suddenly over. I couldn't believe how fast it had passed by.
As a final exercise, Joanna invited us up to the front, where individually we stood in front of a huge gong, which she played and as the vibrations rang out, Jo took a huge conch shell and blew away any emotional or spiritual blockages we may have had. You have to cover your ears, and it is an amazing feeling as the sounds vibrate through you. Warming and uplifting and powerful.
So, then we're outside in the real world again, but our sense of inner calm remains. We had a relaxed evening after this, and both had our best nights sleep in while. My husband and I both agreed that we would return and do another gong bath in the future.
WHY NOT?
We know that sound can boost our mood (think of how you feel when you hear a favourite song!), so why not try sound healing if you're inclined. Leave any expectations behind, and just see what it does for you. I genuinely feel that my sound healing journey has just started, and that the more experience I have, the more I will gain. But for now, I'm happy to have had the space to think about different things, to feel relaxed and be sleeping well for it!
Of course, we wore our Buddha Pants for the ultimate comfort during our gong bath! I also take along my favourite Yogi Bare mat and National Trust blanket for the best experience!
Thanks to Joanna Bilik, pictured in the Shaolin Temple UK. January 2025.
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