Stress Reduction Sound Bath

Hosted Monthly,
2nd Thursdays, 7:30-9pm
@Northbrae Community Church in Berkeley

Our Next Sound Bath is May 8th

✨ This is your invitation to...

  • Step into stillness and let your nervous system settle.

  • Ease the weight of stress stored in your body and mind.

  • Experience the harmony of sound and science—where ancient tones meet modern healing.

  • Settle into this sanctuary and experience deep rest and renewal.

Step out of the noise of daily life and into a sacred sanctuary of sound. Once a month, under the glow of stunning stained-glass windows in a peaceful, non-denominational church, we gather to rest, receive, and return to ourselves.

This immersive sound bath is more than just a chance to relax—it's a monthly ritual for nervous system nourishment and soul restoration.

Led by Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Erica Skone-Rees and musicians Bryce Mulholland and Shannon Hopkins, each session begins with a gentle grounding meditation and flows into a sonic journey designed to move your brain into the restorative theta state.

Let the healing tones of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, guzheng (Chinese harp), steel hand pans, acoustic guitar, Koshi bells, and ancient drums surround and soothe you. The vibrations help lower stress hormones, calm the mind, and invite deep inner peace.

🧘 What to Bring

Bring anything that helps you feel cozy and supported:

  • A yoga mat or camping pad

  • A blanket, pillow, or bolster

  • An eye mask or scarf if you like to block out light

  • Wear comfortable clothing, warm layers & socks

  • Water bottle, and anything else to make your experience more restful

You're welcome to lie down, sit up, or quietly move during the sound bath—whatever feels wise for your body. If you need to stretch, shift positions, or step out, we simply ask that you move toward the back or along the sides to help maintain a peaceful space for others.

This is your time to rest and receive in a way that honors your body’s needs.

  • To slow down and reconnect with yourself.

  • To let go of tension & all that no longer serves you.

  • To rest in a space where nothing is required of you.

  • To be held by sound, stillness, and community.

✨ Why Join Us?

Scientific Benefits of a Sound Bath

    • The vibrations of sound instruments can stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in emotional regulation, digestion, and overall nervous system balance.

    • Sound therapy has been linked to reducing symptoms of anxiety and PTSD by encouraging nervous system co-regulation and safety signaling.

    • Studies suggest that sound healing can reduce cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.

    • Engaging with soothing, harmonic frequencies can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, shifting from fight-or-flight to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response.

    • Sound baths help shift the brain from beta waves (active thinking) to theta waves, a deeply meditative state linked to creativity, relaxation, and emotional processing.

    • The rhythmic vibrations can facilitate states of deep rest similar to meditation and deep sleep.

    • Exposure to low-frequency sound waves and rhythmic entrainment can help boost melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep regulation.

    • Many participants report deeper, more restorative sleep following a sound bath session.

    • Sound frequencies interact with the body’s energy systems, supporting emotional release, physical alignment, and energetic clearing.

    • Sound therapy is used in hospitals, trauma recovery programs, and holistic wellness practices to support mind-body healing.

    • Sound baths can lower heart rate variability (HRV), which is associated with reduced stress, improved heart health, and emotional resilience.

    • Certain frequencies, such as 432 Hz and 528 Hz, have been studied for their potential role in reducing blood pressure and promoting cardiovascular balance.

    • The harmonics in a sound bath can increase dopamine and serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good neurotransmitters.

    • Many people experience a sense of peace, clarity, and emotional release following a session.

    • Vibrational therapy has been shown to lower perceived pain levels, particularly in conditions like chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches.

    • The resonance of sound waves may improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote cellular healing.

Join Our Next Sound Bath

2nd Thursdays 7:30-9pm