By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – In a city known for its deep spiritual roots and wellness culture, sound baths are quickly becoming one of the most sought after ways to slow down. Across Albuquerque, these immersive listening experiences are popping up in cathedrals, yurts, studios and wellness spaces, drawing in people from all walks of life.
From traditional crystal singing bowls to experimental electronic soundscapes, practitioners say the appeal is simple. People are looking for a way to pause.
“A sound bath, in my own words, is a sound journey that really uses your audible skills to be present,” says Douglas Cardwell, founder of Lotus Sound Bath.
A practice built on presence
At its core, a sound bath invites participants to lie down or sit comfortably while listening to a range of tones, vibrations and frequencies. The goal is not performance, but immersion.
“When we are present, we tend not to worry, and when we tend not to worry, we get relaxed,” says Cardwell.
That relaxation, Cardwell explains, can shift the brain into slower states, including what is known as the theta state, often associated with dreaming and deep meditation. In that state, the body can begin to reset. “You’re really being rejuvenated from the inside out,” says Cardwell.
Participants say the benefits can be both immediate and cumulative. Asked about the positive responses people have reported, Cardwell notes that, “The biggest one is better sleep.”
Others report lower stress levels, increased awareness and even reduced blood pressure over time. Still, practitioners emphasize that consistency matters. “You can’t do it one time,” says Cardwell.
A growing presence across the city
Sound baths are no longer limited to a single type of space. In Albuquerque, they are being offered in a wide range of settings, each with its own atmosphere and approach.
Lotus Sound Bath hosts a free monthly session at the Cathedral of St. John (318 Silver Ave. SW), drawing large and diverse crowds.
“It’s beautiful to see so many different people and ages that are coming out to this,” says Cardwell.
At Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW), sound baths take place inside a wellness yurt, offering a more nature-based experience. Sessions are held regularly on Thursdays and Saturdays and feature crystal singing bowls or Tibetan Mother Bowls designed to promote relaxation and balance. While some sessions may be available to the public, the offerings are often kept more intimate to prioritize guests of the property and maintain a quieter, more personalized experience.
Other venues are also contributing to the trend. The Movement Temple (4300 Paseo Del Norte NE #A) offers multiple sessions each week, including a Full Moon Sound Bath. High Desert Healing (4201 Carlisle Blvd NE) provides individualized sound therapy sessions, while The Soul Cadence (105 Amherst Dr SE) includes sound baths as part of its broader wellness services.
Together, these offerings reflect a noticeable increase in availability across the city. Cardwell believes the growth is tied to a broader cultural shift. “Our society in the Western world is go, go, go, more and more and more, and no time for reflection,” says Cardwell.
Different approaches to the same goal
While many sound baths focus on calming tones and meditative states, others are taking a different approach.
Lauren Davis, founder of Dark Ambient Sound Bath, uses electronic music and deeper frequencies to guide participants inward. “A sound bath is basically a healing event focused on utilizing frequencies of different types of instruments that are going to aid in healing,” says Davis.
Davis’ sessions, however, are intentionally less traditional. “We use electronic music instead of your traditional gongs and chimes,” says Davis.
Davis describes her work as an exploration of the “shadow self,” encouraging participants to confront emotions, memories and experiences that may not surface in more conventional settings. “We’re kind of delving into the shadows,” says Davis.
Davis’ sessions often include journaling and guided exercises, allowing participants to carry the experience beyond the event itself. “It’s kind of extended more into their everyday life,” says Davis.
The next Dark Ambient Sound Bath takes place on Sunday, May 24 at 7:45 p.m. at Expressions by Collective Frequency (303 Rio Grande Blvd NW).
Who is attending?
Despite their different styles, both traditional and experimental sound baths are attracting a wide audience. Cardwell describes his sessions as welcoming “all walks of life,” while Davis has seen a similar mix. “You will see your Lululemon soccer mom right next to a guy with a three-foot green Mohawk,” says Davis.
Participants range from teenagers to older adults, and many return regularly. For some, the appeal lies in relaxation. For others, it is a chance to process emotions or reconnect with themselves.
Davis also emphasizes accessibility, noting that her events aim to remain open to those who may benefit most. “This type of healing and this type of self identification is for everybody,” says Davis.
Why now?
Both practitioners point to a larger context behind the growing popularity of sound baths.
As stress levels rise and daily life becomes increasingly fast paced, more people are seeking alternatives to traditional forms of self care. Practices that encourage stillness, reflection and mental reset are becoming more appealing, especially in a culture that often prioritizes constant productivity. “When things become more chaotic, eventually it starts shifting back to peace,” says Cardwell.
Cardwell sees sound baths as part of that shift, offering people a structured way to slow down and reconnect with their bodies without the pressure of traditional meditation practices.
Davis has observed a similar trend on a broader scale, noting that sound baths are expanding not just locally, but across the country. “I’m seeing a huge surge of that nationally,” says Davis.
Davis also notes that many participants are looking for something that goes beyond surface level relaxation, seeking experiences that allow them to engage more deeply with their emotions and inner lives.
From her perspective, that often means creating space for people to confront and process what is beneath the surface. “They feel like they’re actually dealing with more. They’re confronting more within themselves, they’re able to get deeper,” says Davis.
Together, both perspectives point to a growing demand for wellness experiences that meet people where they are, whether that is seeking calm, clarity or a deeper understanding of themselves.
A shared intention
Despite differences in style, setting and sound, most practitioners share a common goal. They want participants to experience a state of calm that is often difficult to access in daily life.
For Cardwell, that means helping people recognize their own capacity for stillness. “That the body can get to this state while not at sleep,” says Cardwell.
For Davis, it is about creating space for release and self exploration. “A lot of people just really need a space and the permission to let go,” says Davis.
As sound baths continue to expand across Albuquerque, that shared intention may be the reason they resonate with so many. In a city that values both tradition and transformation, the simple act of listening is becoming something more.