Project Rebound hosted a sound bath on Wednesday, welcoming all students to experience the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls.
Project Rebound is a program on campus with the goal of supporting the success of formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them transform their lives through higher education.
Wednesday’s event aimed to create a safe space for students to experience healing and mental rest through crystal sound therapy. According to Project Rebound, “Sound healing works by guiding the body into a meditative state, where sound frequencies interact with the mind and body to reduce stress, balance energy and foster emotional well-being.”
Students assembled in Building 98, toward the edge of campus, briefly stretching before lying down on the floor with their heads directed toward Valarie Maestas and her crystal bowls. Some students closed their eyes, while others shifted to their sides or stomachs throughout the experience. Regardless of personal preference, all were offered a place of silence and a space to refocus.
According to Maestas, there are other sound bath workshops similar to this one that are done in the community, but the cost to attend can be upwards of $70 per person. Project Rebound wanted to offer that experience to students for free.
“For me, there is just a lot of trauma and a lot of stress and this provides a lot of healing,” Maestas said. “So I wanted to make sure since I am able, to bring it to students.
“It’s also important to our community that there is more awareness raised about Project Rebound, and that we are also in community with others,” she added.
Maestas also mentioned research done on the electromagnetic frequencies in the body and talked about how sound baths aid in stress relief and help calm the central nervous system through those frequencies.
Project Rebound plans to continue hosting monthly sound baths in Building 98, creating a space for students to relax, recenter and experience the healing power of sound.