Beyond Relaxation: The Science Behind Sound Baths

At The Denver Village, we believe in creating space for people to slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves. That’s why we host a sound bath every month—not just because they feel good in the moment, but because there’s actual science behind the calm they bring.

Sound baths involve lying down and listening while instruments like crystal singing bowls are played in a slow, intentional way. There’s no movement, no effort, and no pressure to "clear your mind." Just sound, rest, and stillness.

Research shows that this kind of sound-based meditation can shift brainwave activity from the fast, busy beta state (linked to stress and active thinking) into slower alpha and theta states, which are associated with relaxation, creativity, and even healing. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that participants in sound meditation sessions reported less tension, anxiety, and physical pain—even after just one session (Goldsby et al., 2016).

Dr. Lee Bartel, a researcher in music and health at the University of Toronto, also notes that sound frequencies can support sleep, reduce pain, and help regulate the nervous system (Bartel, 2017).

In short: it works. And more importantly, it offers something we all need—a break from the noise of daily life.

If you're curious, come lie down with us. Bring a mat, a blanket, and an open mind!

References

Goldsby, T. L., et al. (2016). Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being. Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 21(4), NP61–NP66.

Bartel, L. (2017). Music and the Brain: The Neuroscience of Music and Sound Healing. University of Toronto.