What is A Gong Bath Really Like?
It’s more than just a relaxation technique.
With health and wellness becoming a growing focus over the past years, gong baths have remained underrated as a healing and relaxation method. As wellness studios open up again following a COVID wave and the city of Hong Kong is revving up back to life, we decided to try Red Doors Studio, founded and run by Martha Collard.
Unbeknownst to many, gong baths and gong meditations offer many more benefits other than putting one in a relaxed state. Prior to my first gong bath session, Collard explained to me that the sound and vibrations of a gong can eliminate tension, stimulate circulation and allow cell regrowth in our nervous system. The sound waves not only clear mental and emotional blockages, but they can restore, heal, and re-align physical impurities as well.
The Ambience
When I first stepped into Red Doors Studio, I was greeted by the wafting scent of burning sage. The studio was very clean, welcoming, and cosy. Walls were decorated with gongs of different sizes and mats were laid down with towel blankets, cushions, pillows, and eye masks. Collard explained that the studio boasts the most gongs in all studios in Hong Kong. As someone who had never attended a gong bath session, I was very curious to see what all the gongs sounded like and how they were different from one another.
The treatment/session
Collard prefaced our 1.5 hour gong bath session by noting that the gongs could stir up different emotions and thoughts. She gently urged us to just feel the emotions and not to resist them. Different sounds may make you laugh, smile, or cry. She also stated that some clients have heard surprising sounds from the gongs, such as harps or angels singing.
Our session began with a 15-minute meditation guided by Collard. Afterwards, she provided us drops of different oils to smell and rub on our necks, shoulders, back, and other sore spots. The oils are different each time and dependent on the theme, but the Raindrop, handmade by Collard, is always available. It is made of Young Living pure essential oils and a plethora of different herbs. Once we were comfortable, Collard handed us beaded necklaces, and we put on our eye masks, lay down on the pillow and tucked ourselves in with the blanket.
The gongs were louder than expected. I was surprised by how many different sounds and pitches could be produced from just a gong and a mallet. Intensities of the sounds fluctuated throughout the session—some sounds were much more intense than others. It just depended on where and how Collard struck and stroked the gongs. With the occasional wind chimes speckled in, the array of sounds evoked many thoughts and feelings in me, notably intrigue, curiosity, tranquility and deep relaxation. After the session, At the end, Collard offered biscuits and tea, which allowed us to wrap up the session with a sense of satisfaction.
Our verdict
My first gong bath was a very unique and pleasant experience. Once I was accustomed to how loud and intense the gong sounds were, I drifted into a meditative state and felt like I was floating through space as the gong sounds surrounded and enclosed around me. My limbs felt like anchors as I eased into a state of calmness and serenity.
Although everyone’s experience will be different, I highly recommend gong baths for those who may have physical, emotional or mental blockages but don’t want to or have the option to release and clear them through therapy or words. Gong baths can calm internal chatter and rebalance and restore inner harmony, allowing for healing, relaxation and rejuvenation. If you are in need of an outlet to clear your mind or just want to find a new way to relax, gong baths are a must-try!
