Encinitas expert Catrina Stanley explains how to choose a session, what to bring and what to expect from your first sound bath.
ENCINITAS — Do you need to know how to meditate? Should you bring a yoga mat? What are you supposed to do while the singing bowls play?
For someone considering a first sound bath, those practical questions can stand between curiosity and actually booking a session.
Catrina Stanley, owner of Sacred Sound of the Soul in Encinitas, has spent more than a decade working in sound healing and yoga wellness. Her advice for beginners starts with getting enough information to feel comfortable, then letting go of the pressure to have a particular experience.
“You might be wondering whether you need to meditate, what you should bring, or even what you’re supposed to do once the session starts. The good news is that you don’t need any experience or special knowledge to give it a try. Before you book your first session, there are a few things worth knowing that can help you choose the right experience and take some of the pressure off trying it for the first time,” Stanley said in a news release.
Stanley and her husband, Ryan, opened Sacred Sound of the Soul in 2018. Today, the business’s Encinitas showroom features more than 500 Crystal Tones Alchemy Singing Bowls, according to its website. Alongside helping visitors explore instruments, the business hosts sound healing events and training.
For newcomers, however, the starting point is simple: Find an experience you understand and feel comfortable trying.
Five ways to prepare for your first sound bath
- Find a practitioner you trust
The person leading a sound healing session helps set the tone for the experience, particularly when you are attending for the first time. Stanley encourages beginners to look for someone who welcomes questions and clearly explains what participants can expect.
A recommendation from a friend, family member or familiar yoga studio can be a useful starting point. Before making a reservation, ask about the practitioner’s experience, the instruments they use and how they structure the session.
Find out how long it lasts and whether participants will primarily sit, lie down or take part in other activities. A description that simply promises a “sound journey” may leave a newcomer with questions that a brief conversation can resolve.
The goal is to arrive with a basic understanding of what you have booked. You should feel comfortable asking for that information, even if your questions seem elementary.
- Think about the space before you book
Where a session takes place can matter as much as its description. If you will be sitting or lying still for an extended period, the room’s layout, surrounding noise and available space may affect how comfortable you feel.
Stanley advises choosing a setting that suits your preferences. Some people enjoy a dedicated wellness studio, while others feel more at ease outdoors or in a simple, quiet room. An elaborate setting is not a requirement.
Look at photographs of the venue or ask about the setup before booking. Will there be enough room to settle in comfortably? Can you enter and leave easily if needed? Is there anything about the seating or floor arrangement you want clarified?
Addressing those questions in advance can help you spend less time adjusting to unfamiliar surroundings once the session begins. The best fit is a place where you feel welcome and can give your attention to the experience.
- Check what you need to bring
A sound bath does not require a shopping list of specialized equipment, but a little preparation can make time spent resting more comfortable.
Studios and event organizers handle supplies differently. Some provide mats and blankets, while others ask participants to bring their own. Confirm what is included rather than assuming everything will be waiting when you arrive.
For a session spent lying down, consider the support you normally need to rest comfortably. A mat provides a layer between you and the floor. A pillow or bolster may help support your head or body, and a blanket can be useful if you become chilly while remaining still. An eye mask is another option for people who prefer fewer visual distractions.
Stanley’s advice is to focus on your own comfort rather than assembling a perfect setup. Ask what is provided, bring what you need and give yourself one less thing to think about during the session.
- Pick a style that interests you
“Sound healing” can describe a range of experiences. One session might center on crystal singing bowls, while another incorporates gongs, drums or other instruments. Some combine sound with restorative yoga, meditation or breathwork.
That variety gives beginners room to follow their interests, Stanley says. Someone who already enjoys yoga may be drawn to a class that incorporates sound. A person curious about singing bowls may prefer a session focused on listening to those instruments.
Read the event description closely and ask how much movement or participation is involved. Knowing whether you are signing up for a primarily listening-based experience or a combination of practices can help you choose more confidently.
There is also no need to treat a first session as a final verdict. Different practitioners, instruments and settings can create different experiences. Give yourself room to discover which format you enjoy.
- Let go of the pressure to feel something dramatic
Some newcomers arrive wondering whether they should feel deeply relaxed, emotional or somehow changed by the end of a session. Those expectations can become another distraction.
Stanley encourages participants to approach the experience with curiosity. You might enjoy the sounds, notice your thoughts settling or find that your attention continues to wander. Thinking about tomorrow’s schedule does not mean you have failed at the experience.
Rather than trying to force a response, get comfortable, listen and notice what happens. You do not need to clear your mind completely or match someone else’s description of their session.
The same applies afterward. Another participant may describe a powerful reaction, while yours felt quieter or more ordinary. Stanley’s advice is to allow your own response and decide for yourself whether you would like to return.
Exploring sound healing in Encinitas
For readers ready to try a local session, Sacred Sound of the Soul lists upcoming programs and registration links on its sound healing events and training page.
One scheduled option is Full Moon Sound Healing with Jeny Dawson of Zen Soul Balance, from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25, 2026. The organizer lists the beginner-friendly session at $55.
The event description includes crystal bowls, gongs, drums and chimes. Mats and blankets are provided, and participants may bring additional items such as a cushion, bolster or eye pillow. Guests are asked to arrive five minutes early; the organizer states that doors will be locked at 5 p.m.
Those details apply specifically to the Oct. 25 event. Check the registration page for the session you choose to confirm its price, duration, supplies and arrival instructions.
The business also accepts inquiries about private sound sessions for individuals and groups, with options described on its website for the studio, private homes and online. Contact the business directly for private-session availability and pricing.
Visiting Sacred Sound of the Soul
Sacred Sound of the Soul is at 531 Encinitas Blvd., Suite 107, Encinitas. Showroom visits are by appointment, allowing visitors to arrange time to explore the singing bowls and ask questions.
To schedule a visit or inquire about a sound healing session, call 877-486-4446, email [email protected] or visit sacredsoundofthesoul.com.
