gong bathing

A guide to de-stressing with soothing sounds An easy de-stress technique for those living in urban areas

BY LYNN CARDY ​

What is a gong bath? It’s a way of relaxing, calming and de-stressing as you bathe in the harmonics produced by a single gong or better still a whole group of gongs which create overtones said to be healing and balancing, working on numerous levels – mental, emotional and energetic. Why are gong baths good for us? Because it’s a wonderfully easy way to access a deeply relaxing therapy. 

 The beauty of it has to be that it doesn’t require us to strip off for a massage, sit cross legged gazing at a candle, twist ourselves into pretzel shapes or try to imagine things with our third eye. Lying comfortably and warmly wrapped, being washed by resonating sound has to be the perfect way to chill. “Most people benefit,” says Holistic Therapist Ondray Botkoveli. “It’s good for relieving anxiety and stress, for healing, balancing and deep relaxation.” 

What more could you ask? What happens at a gong bath? Gong Bathing sessions happen in groups or one to one sessions where you sit or lay comfortably on the floor or in a chair – it’s your choice. Practitioners work with one gong or many depending on the client and the environment. 

Gong Baths often start with guided meditation or subtle sounds to lead into the playing of gongs around you. Their complex overtones wash over you, leading you into a state where relaxation and healing can occur. Unlike some other therapies, you can easily give yourself up to the sound – you aren’t being asked to do anything complicated and no-one will be judging you for your style, ability or deep spiritual knowledge. 

Once the gongs have finished you’re gently guided back again using subtle instruments or a soft voice. The session will have lasted an hour but it’s certain that you won’t have clock watched or felt the minutes ticking by. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

How does a gong bath feel? Pretty much like heaven to those who are regulars to this de-stressing ritual. “Gongs are adaptogenic,” says Ondray. “They meet people at THEIR level of need whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual. 

They are a powerful spiritual tool – fantastic at detoxing- clearing excess negative energy, pain and mental chatter. Interestingly your experience of it will be like unlike everyone else’s. “In a roomful of people, each individual’s reaction is different and extremely personal,” says Ondray. Devotees say that post gongs they feel energised, uplifted and mentally clearer.