I have heard about sound baths and forest bathing and was curious what the buzz was all about. So I explored the Sacred Sounds website (the website is awesome, by the way) and learned about the sound baths being offered in Saranac Lake and the surrounding communities. Trying to marry the words on the screen and an actual experience was a bit hard. The concept seems so foreign. But the promise of relaxation and immersion via sound was too hard to ignore. Being a busy working mom, I am always looking for new ways to de-stress so I dug deeper.
I initially thought I’d do some self-research, learn about it for Macaroni Kid and bring the detail to all of you. But when I connected with Andrea Lisette Villiere, creator of Sacred Sounds’, she encouraged me to come try it for myself. And so I did.
From the moment you meet Andrea, she makes you feel comfortable and welcome.
Private and small group sound bathing experiences are offered locally in her healing space at The Doctor’s Inn in Saranac Lake. The location is close to the Village but feels a world away – it’s setting has beautiful shade trees offering privacy and solitude. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a sound bath and brought along my mom and a friend. All we really knew was from Andrea’s website and that the end result would leave your mind open and your body feeling relaxed/refreshed.
Like a massage, the sound bath experience doesn’t require physical exertion.
Participants lay on a massage table or on yoga mats with blankets and cushions for support for the entire duration of the sound bath. There are no exercises except the exercise of tuning everything out. Like a yoga session, you’re focused on a clear mind and positive thoughts. Unlike a massage and unlike yoga, there is absolutely no touching or movement unless you opt for a private session (during those, sound bowls can be placed directly on the body).
The sound bath itself was in a dark room inside the Inn transformed into a romantic setting with various bells, chimes, gongs and more instruments. During the sound bath, we heard various different ‘sets’ of sounds that have different tones, vibrations and ‘healing qualities’. It is hard for me to relax (even during a massage) and getting my mind to slow down into clear is almost impossible. But surprisingly, the sounds during the sound both helps to conquer that. Just when I’d think of my ‘to do list’ for the next day or ‘plans for the weekend’, a new sound would drown out my thoughts. The sounds force you to relax your mind in a way I never thought possible.
My mom, who is busier than any woman I know and needs de-stressing often, actually fell asleep and had this to say -
Not knowing too much about sound healing, I went with low expectation and an open mind! I came out feeling extremely relaxed and rejuvenated! I had no idea that this experience would totally quiet my busy mind! I can’t wait to go again and de-stress!
My friend Jesse also came along. She is willing to try new things, does Barre and yoga in town, and had this to say –
The sound bath was a massage for the soul, invigorating yet soothing. I left with a new sense of peace and calm. I can't wait to experience Andrea’s work again very soon.
We all highly recommend Andrea and a sound bath!
She is a certified sound-healing practitioner with an impressive resume and extensive training and has been actively practicing this healing modality for close to two years now. She’s somewhat new to the Saranac Lake area, which is why you may not have heard about her. Andrea offers sound baths locally and in the surrounding area and also offers private sessions to individuals and small groups on-site in her home studio or various locations.
More about Andrea and upcoming sessions
In fact, she’ll be offering a sound healing session at the LPCA on July 15th and Earthshine Yoga on July 27th - for more information, visit http://soundhealingadirondacks.com/upcoming-sound-events.html
When she’s not offering sound bathing, she manages The Doctor’s Inn and is connecting with her family. Andrea is a mom to her 16-year old son, Dakota who goes to Saranac Lake High School and was participating in their end of year concert the next night. Kudos to this mompreneur for doing it all and being oh so graceful at it.
I highly encourage you to give her sound bath a try – if nothing else but to try something new. I guarantee after you go, you may consider making it a habit.
