Returning to a more natural way of life

I have recently had the desire to get back to a more natural way of life.

The use of herbs, sound and water therapy has been around for many years and have been proven to be effective ways to reduce stress and promote wellness in a natural and holistic way, but for many years these practices have fallen to the wayside.

My interest was further peaked after a recent interview with Brook Sweet, owner of the Earth & Water Bathhouse on Vine.

Sweet explained her business, her products and the techniques she uses in her sound bath therapy and offered me the opportunity to give it a try.

Sound bath therapy, along with other holistic practices, is gaining in popularity as methods to promote health and wellness.

Sound bath therapy is a healing modality that combines vibrational sound and guided meditation along with healing music or sounds to create a calming, restorative environment.

Entering the bathhouse is an experience. You are immediately met with inviting fragrances of Sweets’ natural bath products. Small water features sprinkled throughout offer gentle background noise that reminds one of a babbling spring.

The space used for the sound bath is comfortably dim, and small mattresses are lined at one side of the room. There are blankets, pillows and weighted eye masks that smell of lavender to utilize during the session.

Once comfortably positioned, Sweet will begin with a guided breathing exercise to promote relaxation, then the sound therapy will begin.

The powerful harmonic and vibrational tones emitted from the “singing bowls” will affect everyone in different ways I’m told.

For me, once I was fully relaxed and allowed myself to focus on the sounds I was amazed to see colors. After later discussion, a friend who joined me in the experience described seeing the same colors I had seen, which was fascinating to me and encourages further investigation.

The session lasted around 40 minutes and once complete we were greeted with essence water. Sweet explained she puts a few drops of different essences in her water after each session for her guests.

I left the bathhouse feeling relaxed and refreshed. I have sampled many of the natural bath products at home, but I can’t wait to give the therapeutic bathing a try.

Misty DeJournett is a staff writer for the Daily American Republic. Contact her at mdejournett@darnews.com.