Nihshreyasa Kochi: Sound Bath Experience & Review

Nihshreyasa Holistic Health Studio, Kochi: My Sound Bath Journey

In the middle of busy Fort Kochi, I discovered a place where the world became quieter — one sound at a time.

Wherever I travel, I like to find places that support my wellbeing — yoga studios, treatments, meditation spaces, or simply somewhere I can slow down.

In Kochi, I discovered: sound baths at Nihshreyasa Holistic Health Studio.

I went to four sessions — two personal sound baths, a zero-gravity hammock sound bath, and a full moon session with a handpan ensemble.

Each was different. And each took me somewhere slightly different.

Nihshreyasa Holistic Health Studio

Nihshreyasa is around a 20-minute walk from central Fort Kochi, or just a few minutes by tuk-tuk.

From the moment you step inside, there is a noticeable change from the busy streets outside.

The studio is fresh, peaceful and calm, with air conditioning, pale blue tones and a lovely reception area. There are lockers for your belongings and even a rather nice bathroom — always something I appreciate when visiting a wellbeing space!

There is a small notice on the door that says: “slide into silence.” And that is exactly how an experience at Nihshreyasa feels.

The outside world gradually becomes quieter.

What is a sound bath at Nihshreyasa like?

The sound baths are led by Jerry, the owner of Nihshreyasa, who has a wide range of sound instruments -Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, drums, tuning forks, rain sounds and bells….

The space itself is gentle and inviting. Mats are laid out with blankets, cushions and eye pillows, creating a cosy environment where you can simply lie down and let yourself be.

You lie down, you listen.

And you allow the sounds to wash over you.

But what happens during that time can be surprisingly profound.

My sound journey at Nihshreyasa

Each of my sessions was different, but I’ll give you a glimpse into what a sound bath at Nihshreyasa felt like for me.

I lay down, making contact with the ground beneath me, allowing my body to feel the support of it. I noticed my breathing and gradually allowed myself to settle.

I gave myself permission to let the outside world drop away. To experience the sounds without expectation.

To surrender to the journey.

As the singing bowls gently lulled me into calm, my attention turned towards my body. I became aware of the vibrations and how they seemed to move through different areas — my arms, my heart, my legs.

My attention often goes quickly to my legs during holistic health sessions. After the challenges they have brought me over the last few years, I naturally notice sensations there — and my first instinct is often to search for meaning in them.

What does this mean? Why am I feeling this? Is something changing?

But I remembered something Sunil Sharma, at Yoganga Healing in Rishikesh, had said during yoga nidra sessions: not to analyse, not to ask why, and not to try to rebalance everything ourselves. Instead, to trust the wisdom of the body.

So I did, I simply witnessed.

And then the sound changed. A different singing bowl. A gong. A new frequency.

Almost as though my mind was being gently nudged: stop thinking now.

Without guidance or words, the sounds seemed to take me beyond myself — beyond the room, beyond the streets of India outside, into a vast spaciousness. Towards peace.

Not as a thought or something I consciously decided to feel, but simply as a sensation. A feeling of landing and floating at the same time, suspended in the vast ocean of everything.

Sound as a journey

And so the sound journey continued.

An inward returning, followed by a sense of outer spaciousness, and sometimes somewhere in between.

With each new sound — a tuning fork, a gong, the sound of rain, the beat of a drum — came another turn, a new wave…

Sometimes I felt a hint of annoyance. I wanted the previous sound to continue. I liked where it had taken me and didn’t particularly want to leave it. But then the new sound would begin to make its way into my awareness, and eventually I would surrender to that instead.

I love the gong and the deep vibrations reverberating through my whole being…the singing bowls each with a character of their own….

And then there was the drum.

As I surrendered to its earthy beat, something primal stirred. It reminded me of rhythms heard somewhere deep within — perhaps ancestors drumming around a fire, perhaps the beat of my mother’s heart, perhaps simply my own heartbeat.

Something ancient, familiar and yet new.

I don’t know whether any of those associations have any meaning beyond my own imagination. But that is part of what I love about experiences like this. You don’t necessarily need to understand them. You can simply experience them.

And then comes the silence

Eventually, the sounds began to draw to a close. And yes, I had indeed slid into silence. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end. But it did.

I slowly opened my eyes, still feeling as though I was moving through clouds. Gradually I became aware of the room again and of Jerry.

I felt a deep calm and gratitude.

The lasting effects of sound healing

The experience wasn’t simply confined to those minutes inside the studio. On reflection, I felt as though it had left another small layer behind — something to unfold later, perhaps another baby step along my own journey of healing and self-discovery.

Writing about it now made me naturally return to my time in Rishikesh, which had a profound impact on me. After a healing session at Yoganga, I remember sitting beside the Ganges in a state of deep peace. My heart was full and as I observed the flow of the Ganges, my body felt light, my feet chilled by the cool water and my mind was empty. It felt as though I could think if I wanted to. But I didn’t need to.

I could simply be there. Pure presence. Pure flow.

I feel that the more we allow ourselves to be open to experiences like sound baths, the more we discover a deeper connection — with ourselves, our bodies and the world around us.

Each new experience, is a pebble on the healing path.

Zero-gravity hammock sound bath

I also experienced a hammock sound bath. I went with my friend Jude, whom I met while I was in Kochi.

There were two hammocks suspended from the ceiling, and simply getting into one became part of the experience.

You are cocooned, cosy and protected. No longer quite as visible to the outside world, I found myself able to let go more quickly and sink deeper into the experience.

The sound moves all around you — underneath, above and within.

Jude and I both loved the experience, and when it ended, we floated down the street together, carrying that feeling with us!

The full moon Handpan Ensemble

I also went to a full moon session with a handpan ensemble, and this was again very different.

Rather than one person leading the sound journey, there was a whole group of musicians playing handpans, alongside a didgeridoo, singing bowls and voice.

The didgeridoo in particular had a wonderfully deep, resonant quality. Like the drum and gong, it created that earthy, almost primal vibration.

I didn’t experience quite the same deep relaxation or inward journey as I had during the other sessions. But I still enjoyed it.

I liked the gathering together to experience music and sound under the full moon.

I’d previously experienced a handpan sound bath at a retreat in Goa, which I also really enjoyed. The handpan has a beautiful rhythmic, flowing quality.

Is Nihshreyasa suitable for solo midlife women travellers?

Absolutely.

One of the things I look for when I visit wellbeing spaces while travelling alone is whether I feel comfortable walking through the door on my own. Nihshreyasa passed that test easily.

The studio feels calm, welcoming and unpretentious. You don’t need to arrive with a friend or already know what you’re doing. You can simply turn up, put your belongings away, settle onto your mat and allow yourself to be guided through the experience.

For midlife women travelling solo — particularly if you are someone who needs to balance exploring with periods of rest — I think this makes it a lovely addition to a stay in Kochi.

It is also a reminder that wellbeing while travelling doesn’t have to mean booking an expensive retreat. Sometimes it can simply mean finding somewhere peaceful for an hour and giving yourself permission to stop.

How to visit Nihshreyasa

Sound baths on offer include personal, group, couples and zero-gravity sessions.

There are several sessions available each week, making it much easier to fit one into your stay. This is one of the things that makes Nihshreyasa so special — as many places only offer sound baths occasionally, whereas here it can become part of your regular wellbeing routine while you are in Kochi.

Sound baths are scheduled sessions and need to be booked in advance. You can check the schedule, which has a full range of sound baths on offer.

➜ You can book a sound bath here.

And if you’ve never tried a sound bath before, I’d say: go with curiosity rather than expectation.

Nihshreyasa became one of those places in Kochi where I could step out of the noise of everyday life and, for a little while, simply be.

How do sound baths affect the body?

Research into sound baths and singing-bowl meditation is still developing, but studies suggest they may:

Support the relaxation response, with changes in heart-rate variability and heart rate.
Shift brainwave activity towards slower frequencies associated with meditative states.
Reduce stress and tension, studies report improvements in mood and anxiety.
Bring attention into the body, helping to quiet the mind and create a deeper sense of presence.

Perhaps the simplest explanation is this: you stop doing, stop thinking, and simply listen — giving your body and mind space to settle.

Other wellbeing experiences at Nihshreyasa

Sound baths aren’t the only way to slow down at Nihshreyasa. The studio also offers Osho Active Meditation, mindfulness and guided meditations, providing different ways to explore stillness, awareness and relaxation.

Things to do in Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is full of atmospheric streets, historic buildings, cafés, galleries and places to simply wander.

➜ Read my Kochi Guide for inspiration.

Looking for things to do in Kochi?
➜ Browse tours, experiences and activities in Kochi — from backwater trips and food experiences to guided tours.

Where to stay in Fort Kochi

If you’re visiting Nihshreyasa, staying in or around Fort Kochi makes sense. You’ll be close to the studio as well as the historic streets.

Looking for somewhere to stay?
Browse hotels and accommodation in Fort Kochi and find somewhere that suits your budget, style and needs.

These are a few that I particularly liked the look of:

Budget — The Fort Bungalow: A characterful heritage-style option in the heart of Fort Kochi.
Mid-range — Abad Bungalow: A charming heritage property in a great location for exploring.
Higher-end — Old Harbour Hotel: with a beautiful garden and pool in the centre of Fort Kochi,
Higher-end — Eighth Bastion – CGH Earth: Stylish contemporary combined with heritage.