What is a 'sound bath' and why is it beneficial? Here's where to try it locally.
JOHNSTOWN ―The “sound bath” is growing in popularity as a healthy way to relieve stress and anxiety, and The Grand Halle on Broad Street has created a monthly series to offer this experience to the public on a regular schedule.
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“Healing at the Halle: A Sound Bath Series” starts from 7 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 21 at The Grand Halle, 306 Broad St. In Johnstown. Additional sessions will be held at the same time on the third Wednesday of each month, through October, according to a release from The Grand Halle.
Practitioners from Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Cleveland are coming to lead the sessions, where they use instruments like crystal singing bowls, guitars, keyboards, flutes, gongs and chimes to produce sound vibrations that they say offer therapeutic benefits to those who attend.
The Grand Halle’s distinctive interior creates a six-second echo that is ideal for this type of sound healing experience, according to Angelique Stolar, program manager.
“Research shows that sound healing can help alleviate symptoms of chronic stress, which can be linked to a variety of disorders like anxiety and depression,” she said in the release.
“We believe it’s important to give people the opportunity to experience this healing firsthand and on a consistent basis.”
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Who will be leading the sessions?
The Feb. 21 session will be led by Rachel Allen of Johnstown, a certified music practitioner and sound healer. Other practitioners scheduled are: Rooted in Sound, of Pittsburgh (on March 20 and Aug. 21); Evolvlove Sound Therapy, of Philadelphia (April 17); Allora Health & Wellness, of Pittsburgh (May 15 and Sept. 18) and Solflower Studio, of Cleveland (June 19). Allen’s practice, YogaSong, is leading two additional sessions on July 17 and Oct. 16.
Tickets are required in advance for each session; those can be purchased online at GrandHalle.com, by email at info@grandhalle.com or by phone at 814-254-4033. A Sound Bath Flex Pass is also available; the pass includes five tickets to use at any session in the series or to bring a few friends along.
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Those who attend should also bring along a yoga mat, pillow, blanket(s) and an eye mask (optional) to the session. Chair seating can be provided with advance notice.
Stolar told the Daily American that The Grand Halle’s first sound bath program, held in November, had strong interest from locals and people outside the area, some coming from Altoona to be part of that session.
“I think people worry that it's going to be like a yoga fitness class, but in reality, it's more like an interactive concert experience,” she said.
“There are no expectations except for people to come, listen and relax.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Monthly sound bath sessions scheduled at The Grand Halle in Johnstown
