In a country where the hum of the “Om” mantra and steel swishing of temple bells have long represented spiritual harmony, it’s no surprise that India has enthusiastically embraced sound healing as one of its fastest-growing wellness trends. Sound healing, steeped in ancient traditions but also inspired by modern stress, is right now enjoying an encore; it’s heading straight for luxury spa menus and yoga retreats, and if you work in an office, for your corporate boardroom.
Ancient Science, Modern Revival
India is not new to sound as a healing modality. Nada Yoga, meaning the way of the union through sound, has been part of Indian spiritual philosophy since ancient times. Vedic sound chants, temple bells and devotional music, have all traditionally sought to raise awareness through auditory vibration.
“Instruments such as Tibetan singing bowls, gongs and crystal bowls are used to balance energies in the body in the practice of sound healing,” says Dr Priyanjal Sharma, a holistic wellness coach based in Delhi. “The resonance soothes the nervous system, slows the brain waves and induced deep meditation.
In addition to that, Prerna Sinha, a certified yoga instructor and sound healer, adds, “Sound can go to places where words cannot penetrate … Sound has the ability to heal wounds … words cannot.” Our bodies are more than 70% water and thus perfect resonator of sound. Sound vibrations receive deep within the body as these waves penetrate our body allowing each of our cells and tissues to vibrate and resonate gently back to restore optimal health again. This natural process helps loosen up tension and reset the system.”
Urban Uptake: From Studios to Retreats
It’s hard to miss sound healing’s urban adoption: In metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, sound baths —some find them and lie down while being enveloped by therapeutic sounds—are turning into a popular form of relaxation. Studios that used to specialise in yoga and meditation have begun to offer sound healing sessions as a stand-alone treatment or in a more integrated wellness program.
Luxury wellness resorts are hopping on the trend, too. The practice is also included in the hotel’s signature wellness package, the Mind and Body Rebalancer, available at The Leela Gandhinagar. “At The Leela Gandhinagar, our philosophy is centered around offering experiences that transcend relaxation to truly nourish your mind, body and spirit,” says Vikas Sood, General Manager of The Leela Gandhinagar & Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre. “We practice sound healing
therapy with the ancient art of the Tibetan singing bowls. This whole-body approach uses soothing vibrations to relax the nervous system, balance the body and bring the mind into harmony.”
To balance things out, the hotel offers up Aujusya wellness weekends, where you can practice yoga, meditation, and sound healing and get in a little bit of Zumba if you need a little more pep in your step.
Why Now? The Science Behind the Surge
Studies have shown that sound frequencies can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and improve mood, as well as emotion regulation. “Now people want more gentle and holistic tools to help them cope with the stress and the desire to reconnect to themselves after the pandemic.”
“In every session of sound healing that I am giving, two people are never
experiencing exactly the same thing,” says Sinha. “Sound meets every single person where they are. It brings up what is ready to heal — emotionally, physically, and energetically.”
And at wellness spaces across India, such as Palms Retreat and Spa near
Bengaluru or Anaha Nature spas in cities including New Delhi and Jaipur, more avant-garde practices, like Yin Yoga with Sound, that combines restorative yoga poses with harmonic vibrations, and Floating Sound Therapy, in which participants recline on water beds while bowls and gongs sound around them, are gaining traction.
Learning the Craft: An Expanding Profession
“I think it’s the demand that is driving the craze,” says Sinha, referring to a boom in professional training. There are now institutes like Samaveda International Sound Healing Academy and Satyam Shivam Sundaram Meditation School which have certification courses on Tibetan bowl techniques, gong therapy and crystal bowl healing. Yoga teachers, Reiki healers, even corporate trainers are enrolling to add the method to their repertoires.
Also Read:
Gut-Brain Axis Diet Plans: Healing the Mind Through the Gut
Designing for Mental Wellbeing: How Spaces with Natural Light, Biophilia, and Sound to Reduce Stress
Green wellness: How Mind, Body, and Planet Retreats Are Changing Travel
