Music & Mood: Healing Sounds

There is no doubt that music and mood are strongly interconnected, with its power to evoke strong emotions. Without realising it, most of us have likely benefited from sound healing in one way or another. Whether it's a gentle lullaby that lulls you to sleep, a soothing playlist that deepens your yoga practice, or the rhythmic pattern of rain or a waterfall calming your mind–these are all rudimentary forms of sound healing.
Taking this concept one step further, recent scientific studies reveal the therapeutic impact of sound waves or vibrations on our health. Vibrations that take us on a journey leading to calmness or euphoria, happiness or sorrow, stillness or movement. While research remains in its early stages, there is evidence that the therapy can alleviate conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and strengthen the musculoskeletal system.
The practice is experiencing a global resurgence in contemporary health and wellness circles, with Thailand being no exception. This is now offered everywhere from yoga studios, gyms, chain hotels to corporate retreats. In modern, fast-paced lifestyles, sound therapy has emerged as a popular method for alleviating stress and promoting well-being in our daily lives.
However, sound healing is not merely a modern trend; its roots run deep in human history. Whether through voice or instruments, it has served as a therapeutic tool for millennia. Originated from ancient Tibetan and Himalayan cultures, this practice taps into the vibrational frequencies of sound, offering a pathway to altered states of consciousness without the need for external stimulants or substances. Today, it encompasses a wide range of techniques, including sound baths, binaural beats, bio-tuning and vocal toning.
In recent years, sound therapists like Santiago Nieto, Dimitri Miteff, Varis Likitanusorn and Janthimant ‘Ice’ Pengpaitoon have dedicated their passion to understanding the therapeutics of sound, providing sessions to many audiences. Miteff believes that its accessibility and ease of use have contributed to its growing popularity, with increasing involvement from Thai sound and audio experts. These professionals are adept at attuning to vibrations and utilising the soothing tones of singing bowls and other instruments to bring a sense of peace and mental clarity. "Thai society increasingly recognises the benefits of sound, with many practitioners exploring and developing new projects,” says Santiago Nieto, a DJ and sound healing facilitator and the co-founder of ‘The Vibration of the Universe.’
Thai society increasingly recognises the benefits of sound, with many practitioners exploring and developing new projects.
Gong Soundscapes
In a ‘gong bath’ or ‘sound bath’ session, you lie down comfortably on a yoga mat, allowing yourself to relax completely. As the sound therapist plays various instruments, a multitude of frequencies and sound waves gently wash over the body, guiding it into a state of balance. Typically, a session begins with airy sounds and gradually incorporates deeper, earthier tones using gongs and drums. Miteff explains, “These earthy tones help anchor participants at the beginning and then transition to lighter tones at the end to bring them back.” There may be melancholic notes from reverberating chimes, followed by the deep, sonorous gongs, and the gentle 'ting' of tiny cymbals.
Both sound facilitators find that the structure and intention of a sound bath often need to be intuitively adjusted, considering factors such as the moon phase and the session’s intention or theme. “Some people seek to relax and unwind, while others aim to address more serious issues, such as insomnia or depression,” says Nieto. While in Miteff’s practice, the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—are mirrored in the sounds used. “The sound bath works through the first three energy centres or chakras, where impurities are thought to reside,” he says.
The gong, being a percussion instrument, is played by striking it like a drum. According to Miteff, gongs provide a complex soundscape with many harmonic undertones that work well in the background, complementing other instruments like handpans and singing bowls. He notes, “Gongs and Himalayan singing bowls produce a resonant reverberation with a complex array of harmonics, binaural beats, overtones, and undertones. Their frequencies can penetrate our energetic fields, helping to release old, outdated patterns and energy that affect us spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.”
He continues, “Studies have shown that this practice can improve circulation and oxygenation of red blood cells, enhance the flow of oxygen and nutrients, decrease inflammation, stimulate the immune system, and promote cellular healing.”

Different gongs and singing bowls are handcrafted, emanate different vibrations, frequencies, and tonalities. Sound healing works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting the brain into a deeply relaxed state, opposite to the stressful fight-or-flight response. These frequencies activate the hypothalamus, which can influence the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system. He explains, “The vagus nerve sends signals to various organs and plays a significant role in promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Receptivity, intention, and frequency are vital for this healing process.”
Reactions to sound therapy may vary, with different sensations and emotions surfacing during sessions. Common physical responses may include tingling in the fingers and feet, or heat rising in various parts of the body, and occasionally, sharp pain in specific areas. “Pulsating jolts of energy, or discomfort may be felt at the back of the head or the supraclavicular area, often signifying the detoxification process. Rashes may also appear as part of this physical and emotional release,” says Miteff.
Meet the Sound Experts
Santiago Nieto, a DJ and Sound Healing facilitator, is the co-founder of ‘The Vibration of the Universe’ sound healing courses at Lotus Wellness, and coordinates the community platform Damaru Sound Journeys. He has a cultivated background in Western classical music, electronic music and an appreciation of world traditions and experiences in therapeutic instruments. Since a young age, he has felt and observed how sound and music can offer tranquillity and contribute to health and well-being. “This attraction to sound stems from a combination of innate inclination and lived experiences, which naturally led me to explore the therapeutic potential of sound. The kindness of sound is admirable,” he says.
As a Certified Sound Therapist Dimitri Miteff, finds sound the most powerful healing modality. In 1986, he began his journey DJing in New Zealand, experimenting with vinyl and drum machines. His path led him on a two year transformative pilgrimage in 1996, spending six months in America exploring shamanism and playing rugby in Arizona, then moving on to Europe, the Middle East, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. In 1997, his profound immersion into yoga in India and Nepal introduced him to the transformative power of sound healing through his first singing bowl. Returning to Australia, he deepened his connection with the land and its spiritual energies. In subsequent years, he delved into the realm of gongs, numerous other sound healing tools, and various holistic healing modalities.