Make good on that New Year’s resolution to improve your health and maintain wellness with a unique way to relax body and brain at one or more “Sound Bath and Mini Brain Lectures” each Wednesday in January at the Hoover Public Library.
During the hour-long sessions, attendees will learn the relationship between sound and calm through guided, live sound baths paired with short lectures by Dr. Lindsey Smith, a UAB-trained neuroscientist. On a mission to make neuroscience practical and accessible to the entire community, Smith provides insights and tools that help promote well-being and self-improvement.
“I bring cutting-edge neuroscience from lab to living room through engaging, down-to-earth workshops and talks that help people build resilience, restore balance, and make sense of their brains in practical, meaningful and actionable ways,” she said.
New to the Hoover Library’s programming, the presentations are an exciting addition to the library’s wellness lineup, according to librarian Madalyn Ayer.
“Sound bath programs are being held at other libraries in Jefferson County, so we wanted to bring that experience to our community,” she said. “Everyone experiences stress of some kind, and a sound bath provides attendees with a much-needed moment of peaceful reflection.”
Though sounds baths are an ancient practice tracing back thousands of years, it’s only within the last decade or so that their popularity has surged within the wellness community as a tool for promoting relaxation. Studies have shown that sound waves and the nervous system work together and that singing bowls, with their rich, sustained musical tones and vibrations when struck or circled with a mallet, help reduce stress hormones and heart rate.
In Ayer’s experience, the calming benefits of sound baths are real.
“I have attended a few sessions, and I come away feeling refreshed every time,” she said. “I find myself breathing easier and feeling lighter, which gives me a renewed sense of clarity. According to my fitness watch, sound baths even lower my resting heart rate. At first, I was hesitant to participate, but now I know sound baths are very beneficial. I can't wait to share this experience with library patrons.”
Meeting with library patrons and groups of people in other community environments puts Smith in contact with individuals from varying walks of life, many in need of the services she provides. So, bringing her message outside of a professional setting is a critical part of her mission of practicality and access for all.
“My classrooms live far beyond traditional academic walls,” she said. “You’ll find them in libraries, breweries, and community spaces. These are the beautiful, accessible public stages where real, actionable learning unfolds in real time."
“Sound Baths and Mini Brain Lectures” will take place January 7, 14, 21, & 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, at the Hoover Public Library. For information and registration, go to www.hooverlibrary.org.