Photo credit: www.cntraveler.com
There’s an intriguing sensation that comes from being enveloped by sound while struggling to identify its sources. As I lay on a mat in a warmly lit room, the enchanting views of Lake Atitlán lay just beyond the window. About twenty participants, most swathed in cozy blankets and adopting various restful postures, surround me. Gentle movements of dogs and the occasional song of a bird create a serene atmosphere as twilight descends on the lake. My mind races to decipher the rich auditory experience: Is that synthesized music? A human voice? Where does it originate in this space?
This immersive experience is part of a wellness retreat happening in Guatemala, co-hosted by Secular Sabbath, an alternative education and intentional community based in Los Angeles, and Anzan Atitlán, a boutique hotel known for hosting regular retreats. Secular Sabbath organizes a variety of events focused on yogic practices, meditation, and innovative sound healing. The ethereal singing that resonates in the air belongs to Mike Milosh, the artist behind the acclaimed music project Rhye and the partner of Genevieve Medow-Jenkins, founder of Secular Sabbath. Milosh strolls around the room, performing live as his team enhances, loops, and interweaves his voice with captivating soundscapes.
Frequent wellness retreats attract individuals to Anzan Atitlán, a beautifully designed boutique hotel in Guatemala.
Dita Zakova/Anzan Atitlán
The intricate setup of the session, with Milosh bringing an array of electronic instruments, sound layers, and a looping device, clearly distinguishes this event from conventional sound baths. Absent are the typical singing bowls, chimes, and gongs. What envelops us is a personalized and complex auditory tapestry unlike any traditional sound bath experience.
“The essence of this experience is more aligned with musical expression than with standard sound baths, yet it remains distinctly non-performative,” Milosh explains. “We aim to create an auditory backdrop that encourages individuals to delve into their own emotional and physiological states.” He emphasizes the blurred origins of the sounds being produced, which fosters an immersive experience, making it feel as if the sound permeates every nook of the room.
Present at the retreat, Medow-Jenkins, who has deep ties to the healing community through her mother’s long-standing role at the Esalen Institute, perceives this unique sound healing as a point of convergence between ancient practices and contemporary musical artistry. My experience reflects both individuality and togetherness, marked by a careful craft in musical arrangement; Milosh’s blend of live and pre-recorded elements introduces an unprecedented sonic quality. While recent trends in sound healing, notably frequency therapy, have gained popularity, there is a noticeable shift toward experiences that deeply connect with the listener’s surroundings and personal journey, hinting at a more sophisticated evolution within sound baths.
Secular Sabbath organizes retreats at Anzan Atitlán, fostering an environment conducive to deep personal exploration.
Secular Sabbath
“Offering sounds that encourage introspection and exploration of one’s physiological or emotional state is vital for us,” Milosh asserts.
Secular Sabbath
Creating a distinctive sound experience can also involve instrumental choices that resonate with local traditions and cultural significances. This includes hosting a sound healing session featuring local musicians in historic settings like the Roman baths of Six Senses Rome; executing a Rainforest Ceremony at the luxurious Asaya Spa inspired by indigenous rituals; or a rejuvenating sound healing experience at Jumeirah Bali, which employs soothing tones from Rindik, a traditional Balinese bamboo instrument used in religious and communal activities. Additionally, at Sensai Lanai, a newly introduced program features a Cocoon Sound Meditation that blends Indigenous percussion while participants relax in aerial yoga hammocks. “Sound invokes what we can hear, but it’s the sensations you feel that offer a deeper healing,” comments Wellness Supervisor Caroline Joseph.
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