The Sand & Sound Centre is a COVID secure venue, with plenty of space for social distancing, with individual equipment provided (e.g. sandtrays) and/or cleaned as appropriate. Hand-washing and sanitising facilities are available and you are encouraged to use these before and after your sessions. Please do not attend if you are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms, including persistent cough, fever, or changes in the sense of taste or smell. When you attend the Centre, please note I may be required to provide your name and phone number to the NHS Test & Trace Service in case of a local outbreak; no confidential information, including any purpose of your visit, will be disclosed.
Healing and meditation with Gongs and other instruments is probably not like anything you have tried before. Many people describe that they experience a deep and profound meditative state whilst being bathed in beautiful sounds.
Some of the possible effects of sound healing sessions may include:
Improving quality of sleep
Calming the over-active mind
Deep relaxation
Relieving tension, pains and aches
Connecting with your intuition and creativity
Facilitating meditative and transcendent states
Please note that there has been very little research on gong healing, so these experiences are anecdotal, even though they are reported very regularly by gong session participants.
Masha offers one-to-one group Gong Bath sessions. "Gong bath" or “sound bath” does not involve any water and are undertaken fully clothed. These terms are often used because many people describe the experience of being “bathed” in the sounds during these sessions. For both one-to-one and group Gong Baths, you will typically lie down on a soft bed on the floor, and simply rest, listening to the sounds around you. Some people prefer to sit up for the sound sessions, which is fine.
In addition to gong sessions, Masha facilitates a monthly Drumming Circle (3rd Wednesday of each month), and occasionally supports her colleague Rhiannon Becque in running her monthly Sound Healing Circle (1st Wednesday of each month), the latter normally taking place at Hadfield Hall, Glossop, but at the moment this is delivered online due to the current pandemic. Rhiannon and Masha are both tutors for the College of Sound Healing - they teach a Sacred Chants and Healing Mantras workshop once in a while, and Masha has developed a Trauma Awareness training specifically for sound healing practitioners and has been delivering it in various locations around the country.
“Just home after my first session and I loved it so much!! I was hesitant as I really struggle to chill out and switch off so if this can work for me it can work for anyone.”
"My first gong bath - can't think of a better way to spend the first Sunday of the new decade! It made me laugh inside, I felt my body vibrate & feel so much more positive than I usually would on a cold, grey January day!"
“For me Masha's Gong Bath Meditations have been like a rapid track into a very deep meditative state. I do not experience this depth as soon through other practices. I love it!”
"The gong bath meditations help to calm my buzzing mind and help with the anxiety I am feeling at this moment. I find them very relaxing and sleep soundly after.
Masha is a great host and helps you to feel at ease."
“My first gong bath experience - I had no idea what to expect but this was most
special, beautiful and relaxing.”
These take place at The Sand & Sound Centre. A session lasts approximately one hour and costs £50, or £60 for couples. Discounts may be available if you are on low income. To enquire or book an appointment, contact Masha by email masha@practicalhappiness.co.uk
These take place at The Sand & Sound Centre, and occasionally at other venues. Standard fee for a place in the group gong bath is £15, and discounts may be available if you are on low income. See the currently available dates on the Training & Events page.
The Sound Healing Circle usually takes place on 1st Wednesday of every month (except January and August) at Hadfield Hall, and is facilitated by Rhiannon Becque. At the moment this is delivered online because of the current quarantine restrictions. To enquire or book your place, contact Rhiannon rhiannon@gillbeque.co.uk
The Drumming Circle takes place on 3rd Wednesday of every month (except August), 7.30-9pm, at The Sand & Sound Centre - and occasionally outdoors in good weather. Any type of drum is welcome - we normally have some available to borrow, though not during the current pandemic. Suggested contribution is £5 or £3, depending on what you can afford. To enquire or book your place email Masha masha@practicalhappiness.co.uk
One-to-one drum healing sessions take place at The Sand & Sound Centre, and cost £35, with discounts available if you are on low income. The session takes about 40 minutes and can be conducted in a seated or lying down position. To enquire or book an appointment, email Masha masha@practicalhappiness.co.uk
Throughout the lockdown of 2020, Masha offered regular weekly online Gong Meditations, daily Garden River Meditations and occasionally other events on her Facebook page. These are still offered occasionally, and all the recordings of previous meditations and events can be accessed for free on Masha's Sand & Sound Centre Facebook page
A few important aftercare tips for participants Gong Bath Meditations (especially when attending your first gong event):
1) The gongs will continue working for a couple of days after the gong bath and you may experience some mild after-effects, like tiredness, possibly headaches, may be feeling more emotional than usual. This is completely normal and should subside soon.
2) It is not unusual to get some new awareness, insights and different ways of looking at things.
3) Drinking plenty of water (room temperature or slightly warm is better than cold or hot) will support the healing process.
4) Do try to have as much rest as possible for the next couple of days, and if you are working try at least to take regular short breaks.
5) Spending time outdoors, in the garden, park, other green spaces, connecting with the Earth, is also really good.
Feel free to get in touch with me if you need to, by email masha@practicalhappiness.co.uk or text 07887 617558.
Chiron Gong