By You're stressed out to the max - we feel you.
Looming deadlines, crammed tube journeys and back-to-back work meetings are doing nothing for your zen. But if you've tried everything from meditation to pink noise, yoga to essential oils and still find that mindfulness, more head space, a dreamy night's sleep (or all three) are evading you, you might want to give a crystal sound bath a go.
Trending among millennials and probably all over your Instagram feed right now, crystals are hailed by holistic experts for their healing abilities, not to mention their 'powers' of bringing money, jobs and energy, to name but a few things.
Despite the name, a crystal sound bath isn't just a regular bath with a few crystals thrown in. In fact, it's probably like nothing you've ever tried before, and even boasts an army of celebrity fans, including Kendall Jenner, who recently revealed that she uses them to battle her anxiety.
What Is A Crystal Sound Bath?
No need to bring a swimsuit along, because there isn't any water (or actual bathing) involved at all.
Instead, a crystal sound bath harnesses the reverberating sounds and vibrations of crystal bowls of all shapes and sizes, to lull you into a peaceful and mindful state of being. A qualified sound specialist is on hand to play the hollow bowls like instruments by twirling a crystal baton around the sides.
ELLE went along to the Crystal Sound Lounge in West London, but sound baths (and also gong baths - exactly the same concept, just with some extra instruments) are popping up nationwide.
What Happens During A Crystal Sound Bath?
Before your sound bath, you'll be asked to switch your phone to silent and to remove your shoes.
You'll then be led into a candlelit room filled with yoga mats, fluffy blankets and pillows, and joined by others. Everyone claims a separate spot and the mats are positioned well apart, so no-one will invade your space.
Once you've laid down and cosied up under your blanket, your sound specialist will guide you through the experience, first, asking you to close your eyes.
Body part by body part, our sound specialist, Chai, prompted us to relax our limbs, fingers, toes, ears, and the muscles in our face.
The sounds were almost whispers to start off with in order to ease us in to the session, but soon, Chai moved on to playing bigger bowls, and we were completely and entirely immersed in waves of echoing sounds that are intended to wash away negative, stressful thoughts and feelings.
After forty five minutes, the sounds dwindled. At the end of our sound bath session, Chai slowly brought us back to reality with some focused breathing techniques, and we felt a hell of a lot lighter and calmer than before.
Some people fall asleep during sound baths which is totally ok, and you'll be gently awoken by your specialist at the end of the session.
What Happens After A Crystal Sound Bath?
We left the West London studio feeling a new sense of clarity, like a weight had been lifted from our shoulders. But everyone will feel different, there's no wrong or right.
Chai, mentioned that we might feel a little spaced out the next day which is simply your bad energies cleansing themselves.
He also suggested avoiding alcohol after our session. Instead, it's best to drink plenty of water.
What Do I Wear To A Crystal Sound Bath?
Sweat pants, pyjamas...you can wear whatever you like, but because you're handed a fluffy blanket and there are scented candles burning in the room, you might want to wear something cool and loose-fitting.
Overheating = as far from chilled out as you can get.
Is A Crystal Sound Bath Any Good?
There's no denying a crystal sound bath is a soothing, therapeutic experience.
For us, it was a welcome escape from anxious thoughts and feelings, but those on a quest for extra head space might find that they need to book in for more than one class to feel truly tranquil.
The best part? From £16 a session, it's one of the more affordable diversions to pick up.
And breathe...
