Photo Courtesy from Empty Space
If you have ever walked out of a sound bath feeling softer or clearer or somehow reset, you already understand the power of sound. But according to sound facilitators Alex Artymiak and Anna Yang, the bowls and gongs are only part of the experience. The real shift happens inside the listener. Their studio, Empty Space, located inside a restored barn in Old Chatham, invites people to explore what sound can do when they listen with intention rather than drifting away.
A sound bath encourages you to relax and let the sound wash over you. A sound meditation asks for something slightly different. It invites you to be present with what you are hearing and feeling. This gentle shift in focus transforms the experience from passive relaxation into something that feels more personal and more introspective.
The Difference Begins With Intention
Alex explains that a sound bath allows the mind to wander freely. Your awareness can drift between sensations, thoughts and sound. A sound meditation, on the other hand, invites you to listen more closely. You notice the relationship between notes, the rise and fall of a tone and the way your internal state subtly changes in response. This does not mean concentrating with effort. It simply means choosing to be curious. As Alex puts it, the real power lies in the attention of the listener.
This approach often makes the entire experience feel more alive. Instead of zoning out, you are tuning in. You begin to hear not only the sound itself but also what it reveals inside you.
A Journey for the Nervous System
Anna describes sound meditation as a gentle journey rather than a single steady state of calm. There are moments of subtle activation followed by moments of release which help the body settle more fully. She explains that it can feel like a gentle workout for the nervous system. The contrast helps people arrive at a deeper level of rest.
At Empty Space they rarely layer many instruments at once. They focus on one instrument at a time so that each tone can be fully felt. Anna shares that when too many sounds happen at once the emotional quality of each instrument can become diluted. Keeping the sound simple allows participants to connect more clearly with what they are feeling.
Why Breathwork Matters
Before any sound begins, Alex and Anna guide participants through a brief meditation and breathwork practice. This grounding period is designed to bring people into the present moment. The breathwork style they use creates a short period of activation followed by a noticeable release which prepares the nervous system for the sound experience.
Alex explains that when breathwork ends, people often drop into a deeper state of presence and relaxation. This makes the sound feel more vivid and more personal. The body becomes more receptive because it is fully aware.
The Role of Silence
Silence is a key part of their method. Anna often says that the first sound is silence. Moments of quiet woven throughout the session give the nervous system a chance to reset. Silence allows the body to integrate what it has just felt so that each new sound can be received with more clarity.
This rhythm of sound and silence turns the experience into a dialogue rather than a performance. It becomes a way for the listener to explore their inner world in real time.
Where Beginners Should Start
Alex believes there is no perfect entry point. A sound bath can be a beautiful beginning and a sound meditation can be surprisingly accessible. Many people naturally move between moments of focus and moments of drifting and both experiences are completely normal. What matters most is the intention you bring.
Even a small decision to listen more closely can make the experience feel more meaningful. The body responds differently when you meet the sound with awareness.
A Tool for Inner Awareness
For Alex and Anna, sound is a pathway to self awareness. It helps people notice their breath, their emotional landscape and the subtle shifts happening inside them. Whether you choose a sound bath or a sound meditation, the heart of the practice remains the same. It is an invitation to listen to yourself. Not only to the tones in the room but to the truth they reveal within you.
