Why Do I Feel Scared During A Gong bath?

So, as a practitioner, I can feel nervous around this topic, doubt my knowledge or ability to find words when describing such complex and unique sound experiences.

Wind Gongs and Tam Tam Gong at Our Greek Retreat Centre

However, in my 40th year, I am trying to be even braver, talk more and share my knowledge even if it is clumsy or rambling. I feel the world of sound healing to be growing which is great, but sometimes, when things grow fast, some teachings don't get taught.

Whether it's in a group setting or a 1-2-1 I don't always have the time to divulge all the complexities of sound and I also do not want to shape the clients experience before it has happened.

When answering questions like this, we do not want to scare people away from the practice. But it's important to talk about it.

I wanted to start by sharing one of my most profound experiences, I know many people hate hearing about other peoples dreams, so I hope it doesn't strike that chord!

This was a couple of years ago now, I've been attending soundbaths for over 6 years consistently, and every experience is different. However on this cool Friday evening in Chichester to rest with Jez,(one of my favourite gong practitioners from Ancient Sacred Sound) I Felt ready to rest, I was surprised when I found the experience took an expected turn...

Someone at the back of the room had dropped in deeply and a low rhythmical snore had started. (As many of you know, this can happen in a soundbath, we as practitioners try really hard to avoid it, but it can sometimes not be helped). So I gently reminded myself, this is part of the practice, it's mindfulness after all, meeting myself with whatever sounds are present during the soundbath and my relationship to them.

I was met with my truth, I was really angry, it came bubbling up, with the gongs and from my relationship to the human sounds. I mentally danced in this space of longing to rest, but the reality that the gongs were pulling back the layers and coverings I had been keeping in place, the mask I had been wearing in my relationship was starting to slip. My jaw ached, shoulders relaxed, Like an epiphany, I realised my truth, this anger was underneath it all, tucked away, not allowed to be expressed.

Sometimes in relationships, they deteriorate gradually, over time you don't realise that the person has taken your voice, has forced you to play a role and your needs aren't being met. I may not have left feeling refreshed and deep rested, but it was transformational.

Soon after, I left this relationship and it was one of the hardest but best decisions.

Now, I don't want you thinking that I went to a gong-bath then broke up with my then boyfriend because of it, but it was part of the journey, it was me sitting with my truth, in a space that was honest, hard, difficult, but also free.

What freedom we can find when we sit with sound.

Extended Group Soundbath with Josephine At Echo

HOW GONGS HAVE BEEN USED BEFORE

This can shape our perception of sound, where we have grown up in the world, what music we've listened to, films we've watched or TV. Introduced in the late 18th century, gongs were used to add drama, suspense, and grandeur to performances in an orchestral setting. The deep, booming resonance of large symphonic gongs (up to 80 inches) are still used today to create dread and goosebumps in horror films.

We have to re-inform our mind that these low ominous sounds aren't always scary, we can re-learn and re-build their relationship to the gong and also find we can journey further and deeper after a few sessions.

MEETING OUR EMOTIONAL SELF

So, what is your relationship with fear? The Unknown? Or your 'Shadow self'? What emotions were not allowed to be shown or seen as children(and as adults)?

When we lie down in the Soundbath, we are free from distractions, the most beautiful but sometimes hardest part of the practice is we are simply met with ourselves, how we truly are. As I mentioned in my story.

And sometimes this can be overwhelming, scary or might bring up sadness or anxiety. We reside in a world full of distractions, with hits of dopamine every time we open our phone, or scroll through social media. Our to-do lists never ending and our mind can become consumed with do-ing. This is not your fault, this is just the facts.

When we lie down, in a safe place, and simply listen, we come back to our body, sensations, feelings and our truth. Sometimes, the mind can not let go, and this can happen during any part of a soundbath, but it often is the mind still working hard 'to keep us safe', but really we are remaining in fight or flight, if we reside in anxiety and fear, the blanket is still wrapped safely over us so we don't have to feel the grief, sadness, darkness that lies underneath.

This all sounds pretty heavy right? But it's not. Being human is hard. Especially in a world that is currently full of so much pain and uncertainty. HOWEVER, when we learn about ourselves, and if we feel safe, we can view the fear that arrives in a gongbath, as a welcomed hurdle. You might find yourself deep in the emotion, but if you trust, let go and release, the euphoria, the freedom, the joy you find is second to none. Tears might be shed, sleep might be found, full body tension and pain is gone...

A PHYSICAL MASSAGE from DEEP VIBRATIONS The Body Keeps The Score

A 1-2-1 Sound bath with the beautiful 42" Wind gong

When we practice with gongs, the practice can be felt as a physical practice, perhaps slightly more than with crystal bowls and lighter instruments.

'The body keeps the score' by Bessel van der Kolk became incredible popular a few years ago, and it is still a fascinating book full of research and incredible discoveries. For me, as a sound therapist(and yoga teacher) this work feels integral.

Trauma activates the body’s stress response system (fight/flight/freeze). When that response isn’t fully completed (e.g. you couldn’t escape or react), the body can stay “stuck” in that state.

• The nervous system remains over activated or shut down

• Muscles stay tense, breathing changes, posture adapts

• This becomes chronic physical tension or pain

So, if you take a moment to view yourself, your life, journey, your body and story, there's a chance that you've not had the time or space to completely reset your nervous system. I'm not saying we've all been through trauma, but many of us have in some shape or another. And the body remembers it, your muscles, fascia, soul and spirit remembers.

When we are using instruments with strong deep vibrations, we are physically getting into the body, the muscles, the tissues, the fascia, sometimes if a participant is deep enough they might experience little tremors or twitches through their legs and arms. They might feel their body incredibly heavy, or tensions physically leaving their body.

When we start to release tensions, we are left with space, but within that space might be emotion, it might feel unknown or scary to show. We all move through a space(especially here in the UK) where tears are not ok, wailing, sobbing, letting go... but what is allowed? stress, busyness, anxiety, worry...

It we build internal space, it can morph into strength, and we then have a deep resource to see all parts of ourselves with compassion, love, kindness and less shame.

UNWINDING OF THE SOALR PLEXUS AND THE CHEST CAVITY (OF THE HEART)

The Chest cavity is one of the places in the human body that carries the strongest vibration.

It is a Large Air-Filled Space: The chest cavity contains the lungs, which are highly efficient at holding large amounts of air, acting as a resonant chamber that allows sound to resonate better than more solid parts of the body. And also holds the Optimal Structure (The "Drum" Effect): The thoracic cavity is surrounded by the semi-rigid rib cage, which acts like a container or the shell of a drum. This structure reflects sound vibrations, making it an underdamped system—meaning sound waves vibrate for longer, creating a stronger, resonant sound.

So Spiritually, this space is holding a lot. The Solar plexus is the diaphragm, the parachute of muscle attaches directly to the inner surfaces of the lower six ribs (ribs 7–12), the sternum, and the lumbar spine helping us breath deeply. Spiritually this are can get tight, block and held, through anxiety and worry.

We also have the heart, carrying the element of air and linked closely to the lungs, the heart can also get blocked, quiet, shut down, protected, small and fearful.

When the vibration of the gong moves you physically, you might feel this in your skeleton, and especially in the chest. Personally, I absolutely love this, it feels like freedom and love to me. I can get shut down and closed off around my heart, being a highly sensitive person I have to, but the space I feel when resonance lands here is magic.

When we bring balance back to these energy centres, we can re-engage with bravery, determination, our inner fire and courage(without anxiety) and we can return to love, to peace and a heart that can receive and give in equal measure.

SO, WHY ATTEND A GONG BATH?

Do you feel a stirring, a deep knowing that you can quite connect to?

What parts of yourself do you kept hidden?

Are you afraid of fear?

How can you connect to the unknown?

Are you carrying pain? Chronic tension? Worry?

Do you love for freedom and reset your nervous system?

Maybe a gong bath might be just what you need as you start to expand into Spring.....

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Extended Gong Bath | Emergence

Echo Retreat Centre

Join us for an evening of deeply healing sound. Be bathed in a cleansing and clearing gong bath to emerge feeling new and bright.

Time & Location

28 Apr 2026, 19:00 – 20:30

Echo Retreat Centre, 19 Biscay Close, Littlehampton, BN176SW

Book It

About the event

Step into a space of deep rest and quiet transformation. Emergence is a guided gong bath designed to support you in gently releasing what no longer serves, while inviting something new to rise within.

As waves of sound from 6 beautiful gongs, Tibetan bowls and chimes wash over your body you'll drop into a state of stillness and recalibration.

The layered tones work on a cellular level, helping to dissolve tension, quiet the mind, and open space for clarity and renewal.

This session is inspired by the natural process of emergence—like the first light at dawn, or a seed breaking through the soil. You are invited to soften, surrender, and allow whatever is ready to unfold to come forward in its own time.

Tucked away in the corner of West Sussex, just a few mintues away from the lovely Rustington Village. You will find Our Echo Retreat centre. Find yourself in this Oasis of peace, with beautiful gardens, a small boutique yoga studio and the Japanese inspired Hayloft healing space.

This session will include:

• Gentle welcome and meditation/body scan

• All props provide: plush mattress, soft blankets, pillows and eye mask.

• Aromatherapy used before and after(optional)

• Immersive Gongbath

• Tea & Vegan Treat to close.