Healing Frequencies with Heidi Rohm
Hey Skinny readers, it’s Heidi with Global Soul Wellness here! I want to share my story of how I found sound healing, what all the craze is about, and my journey of turning a passion into something impactful to give back and create space for healing.
I grew up in Seattle and currently live in East Austin, TX. My nomadic soul has taken me all over the world. And I’ve lived in more than 20 cities the past 20 years. While I’ve established some roots here in Austin, I’m always looking for my next travel adventure. My closest friends have always (lovingly) teased me about my dual personality – corporate by day and ‘woowoo yogi’ by night (and weekends).
“Your Career is what you’re paid for, your calling is what you’re made for.”
-S. Harvey.
Working as a Marketing Director in Corporate America the last two decades, I found a common thread among myself, colleagues, friends, family, the yoga community, and even the occasional stranger… people seek and benefit from taking time to reconnect with their mind, body, spirit and give back to their overall health. But most don’t know how exactly to do this efficiently and effectively in an exhausting, stressful, and over stimulated world. Almost everyone finds it challenging to set aside time to meditate, and frankly don’t know how to go about it. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’m really good at meditating”?
I’ve always sought techniques to lower my own stress, ground and reconnect and stay healthy while living a busy lifestyle. Over the years, I’ve had positive experiences with alternative holistic healing remedies. Sitting at a desk 8+ hours a day, I craved physical movement. So I practiced yoga, ran, kick boxed, etc. What I struggled with, was establishing a (mental) meditation practice to clear my mind and disconnect from daily stressors. While living in New York, I went through a separation and divorce. So I, like many others during hard times, decided to turn inward and reflect.
For me, this meant deepening my yoga practice.
In 2012, I completed my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with YogaWorks in New York City. Which focused on posture alignment and connecting breath to movement. I went on to complete my 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training a few years later while living in Los Angeles with Noah Maze and Rocky Heron (YogaMaze), where I learned a variety of advanced teaching methods and philosophies.
These yoga trainings helped me better read body types, develop breathwork techniques, evaluate posture and alignment, channel my intuition and empathic personality, and most importantly – tap into the energy of a room, which are all tools that I use during sound baths.
My love for music led me to try a sound bath for the first time in 2017 while living in L.A.
During the gong portion of the sound bath, (while this may sound a little out there to some people), I had my first ‘out of body’ experience where I was floating above my body looking down. And of course, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more.
How and why did this happen? I’ve since learned there are numerous scientific explanations for what people call ‘out of body experiences’ beyond aligning your energy centers (chakras). The Atlantic published an article titled “Why People Have Out-of-Body Experiences” linking stimulation of the inner ear and brain with out-of-body experiences. Sound vibrations can have all sorts of impacts on the emotional and physical body. I was completely hooked and went on to complete my 100 Hour Sound Healing training in Los Angeles with Lauren Rose (Peace Love Soundology). Studying the history and science of sound healing, playing techniques, and methods for channeling energy.
Sound Baths, the 1000+ Year-Old Wellness Craze.
Although Sound Healing has been around for centuries across the globe, sound baths have recently become a growing wellness trend in the States. Spiritual ceremonies and healing modalities using sound date back thousands of years among Tibetan monks, Australian Aborigines, the Greeks, indigenous African tribes, just to name a few. I believe coming out of the pandemic with a heightened interest in self-reflection and self-preservation, people are searching for new alternative ways to ground themselves, find head space, and connect with their mind, body, and spirit. I’m going to share a few fun facts I’ve gathered along my journey as it relates to the impact of sound healing on the mind and body.
♡ Overall Benefits of Sound Healing
Let’s start with the basics – the fundamental law of physics: we are all vibrating beings. We are made up of at least 70% water, making our bodies excellent conductors of energy and vibration. Every cell in our bodies live in a dynamic rhythmic pattern: our blood, our organs… they’re all pulsating to their own rhythm.
When we are ill, show signs of disease, feel stressed, or simply feel ‘off’ emotionally or physically, etc., our bodies are likely vibrating out of their healthy homeostasis, making us feel out of balance. When listening to healing vibrations, for example sounds of nature (gongs, sonic wave drums, element chimes), our bodies intuitively respond by harmonizing with those vibrations. And shift states to be in alignment with that of nature. Thus, grounding the cells of our body, bringing us back into healthy balance. Sound can shift frequencies from low energy (guilt, fear) to higher vibrations (love, joy).
What are the most commonly known potential benefits of sound baths? When done with the right intention, technique, and high-quality instruments, sound baths can help:
+ lower stress levels
+ deepen relaxation
+ reduce anxiety and depression
+ improve sleep
+ increase blood flow and concentration
+ boost moods/confidence
+ lower cholesterol and blood pressure
♡ What Instruments I Use and Why:
+ Gongs:
We all have a hard time ‘getting out of our heads’. Our brains are a 3-pound self-contained universe that process over 70,000 thoughts each day. The power of gong vibrations can help bring you into a meditative (theta) brainwave state in as little as 60-90 seconds. I think of this process as removing the veils of our own thoughts to clear and open our mind and bodies up to receiving uninterrupted healing energy. Similar to how hypnosis works to create new healthy thought patterns during a relaxed state, gongs have a similar power if the healer and the recipient are open to the possibilities. Being in this relaxed state can reduce stress, remove emotional blockages, and align the chakras. In many cases, it can even lead to altered state of consciousness. I use a combination of Paiste Planetary (Chiron & Venus) Gongs, and Unlimited Dark Star Gong.
+ Tuning Forks:
Tuning forks have so much potential to heal and there are a variety of methods in which they are used. In fact, tuning forks align with notes that correspond to our chakras. Helping to unblock and move energy in the body. For example, 528 Hz frequency is thought by some genetic engineers to repair DNA damage. In addition it brings peace, calm, and harmony by helping to restore equilibrium in the body, and can help with overall chakra balancing. Especially in the solar plexus (3rd or naval chakra) which is attributed to self-confidence and self-esteem.
Dr. John Beaulieu (ND, PHD composer, Mental health Counselor and Naturopathic Doctor) has researched the biochemical effect of tuning forks on the nervous system. Vibrations transferred to neuronal, endothelial, and immune cells through tuning forks can stimulate nitric oxide, setting off a cascade of physiological impacts on our health, well-being, state of mind, and consciousness. Impacts take place at the molecular level. I use a combination of the weighted Otto 128 tuning fork and BioSonic tunic fork set in my sessions.
+ Singing Bowls:
Singing bowls are each tuned to a different note, triggering a specific chakra or combination of chakras. They can significantly reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, calm overactive adrenals, lower blood pressure, and increase mental and emotional clarity. I was trained on and only use Crystal Tones singing bowls, which are made of the highest (99.992%) quartz crystal and finest gemstones and precious metals such as 24 karat gold, silver, and platinum, making the audible sound incredibly clear and resonant. “The high-grade quartz crystals in every bowl can help amplify, focus, transfer and transmute energy, transforming not only the bones and tissues, but penetrating the sub-atomic structure of the cell, creating the same benefits to conditions of the body as some prescription drugs.” Tryshe Dhevney, SoundShifting.com
In addition to these instruments, I also use sonic wave drums, element chimes, crystal tuning and more, depending on the energy in the room.
♡ What to expect during a Sound Bath?
If you have never had a sound bath, the good news is that no experience is required! Go in with an open mind and every sound bath can trigger a different (very personal) experience and reaction, depending on what you need (consciously and subconsciously) that day.
At a more practical level, you’ll likely lie down in a comfortable position on a yoga mat with a blanket and pillow. Typically group sound baths are 30-60 minutes long. Trained sound healers usually start with a breathing exercise to bring you into the present moment and help you begin to relax. Many times, you’ll be asked to set an intention for yourself. Or create a simple mantra that you revisit during the bath when you find your mind wandering.
Sound baths can incorporate a variety of instruments depending on what that particular healer has been trained in (gongs, sound bowls, chimes, drums). Instruments and combinations of sounds, along with setting specific intentions, allow the energy vibrations to be channeled and flow directly to the recipients. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and breathe! I welcome anyone interested in giving back to their overall wellbeing to try a sound bath. And like yoga instructors, you may be drawn to a specific sound healer vs. others, so try out a few!
Where to find me?
IG: @globalsoulwellness or visit my website: globalsoulwellness.com. I currently offer weekly small group sound baths at The Road in Austin Texas, where we provide Japanese floor mats, weighted stone eye masks, and blankets/pillows for an intimate and elevated sound experience (with the option to add Acupuncture for deeper relaxation). Sound baths are an important part of the philosophy at The Road, for healing on all levels, including frequency. The sound sessions are recommended to most patients for their healing process, to restore, rest, and feel more grounded day to day. You can use this link to book with us.
Outside of my weekly group bath schedule, I offer sound baths for private events i.e. baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, corporate team building, or just an evening with your friends or significant other.
A few of my favorite reads related to wellness/self-reflection and sound healing:
Free Your Voice by Silvia Nakkach
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
Human Tuning by John Beaulieu
Creating a safe, loving environment for my clients and the community to heal and benefit from the beauty of sound, is where my passion lies and what I’ve been up to the past 4 years. And when it comes to finding your own calling – Set your life on Fire, and seek those who fan your flames -Rumi
Sending you all loving ‘vibes,’
Heidi of Global Soul Wellness
+ for more info on visiting The Road, check out this post on facial acupuncture.
++ stalk lauryn’s sound bowls here.
SHOP THE POST:
Heidi is incredible. I have never experienced true meditation for myself (successfully, anyways) until I gave this a try. So thankful for Heidi at Global Sound Wellness.