If you can't find the answer you're looking for, email hello@kokustudio.co. We'd be happy to help.
About sound baths
What is a sound bath?
A sound bath, sometimes called a sound meditation, is a guided meditation where you rest while live instruments are played around you. There is nothing to achieve and nothing to concentrate on. You lie back and listen, and the sound takes it from there.
The name comes from the feeling of being surrounded by sound rather than listening to it from a distance.
Does a sound bath work online?
This is the question we are asked most, and it deserves an honest answer rather than a reassuring one.
Something is genuinely lost. In a room, the lowest frequencies reach you through the floor and through your body as much as through your ears, and that physical vibration does not travel down an internet connection. If that is the part you are after, an in-person session will always do it better.
Something is also gained. You are in your own space rather than a room full of strangers, which for a lot of people is the difference between settling and staying alert the whole way through. You set the volume yourself. And with headphones on, the sound sits closer to you than it could from the other side of a room.
The last thing worth saying is that this is not a recording. Every session is played live and responds to the moment, which is why no two sound the same. We also play through a microphone chosen to carry the low frequencies properly rather than through a laptop, because most of what makes a sound bath work sits at the bottom of the range.
What does it feel like?
Every session is different, and we cannot tell you in advance what yours will be like. People describe feeling deeply relaxed, heavy in the body, or unusually still. Some notice their thoughts becoming quieter or drifting further apart. Others feel very little the first time and enjoy it anyway.
There is no right experience and nothing you are supposed to be feeling.
Is it the same as meditation?
They are closely related, and they work differently. Traditional meditation asks you to keep returning your attention to the breath or another point of focus. A sound bath gives you live sound to follow instead, so the practice happens through listening.
People who have found seated meditation frustrating often get on well with it, and people who meditate regularly use it alongside their own practice. Our sessions begin with gentle guidance before moving into live sound.
What happens during a session?
We begin with a few minutes of breathing and intention to help you settle. From there you lie down while live singing bowls, gongs and chimes are played, and there is nothing for you to do but listen. We speak at the beginning and the end, and there may be a few gentle prompts along the way, but most of the session is sound.
We finish with a few quiet minutes so that you are not moving straight from the sound back into the rest of your day.
Will it help me sleep?
Many people come to us because they struggle to switch off, and it is common to sleep more deeply afterwards. We cannot promise that, and we would be wary of anyone who did. What we can say is that the sessions are built around deep relaxation, and rest tends to come more easily from there.
Your first session
Do I need any experience?
None at all. Most people who join us have never done this before, and there is nothing to learn beforehand.
What if I can't relax, or don't feel anything?
Both are normal, and neither means it isn't working. You do not need to stop your thoughts or make yourself relax, because listening is enough on its own and the mind usually settles in its own time.
Some people notice a real shift in their first session. Others enjoy an hour away from distraction, which in a busy week is not a small thing.
What if I fall asleep?
Many people do, and nothing is lost. If your body needed the rest, it took it.
What if I feel emotional?
Emotions do surface occasionally. If that happens, let them be there. You are in your own space and you are free to pause or stop whenever you need to.
What happens afterwards?
Most people finish feeling calm and unhurried. Give yourself a few minutes before going back to work if you can, drink some water, and let the session settle in its own time.
Is it suitable for everyone?
Sound baths are designed to support relaxation and reflection. They are not medical treatment or psychological therapy. If you are receiving treatment for a physical or mental health condition, please continue to follow your healthcare professional's advice, and if you are unsure whether a session is right for you, email us before booking and we will talk it through.
Practical
What do I need?
A comfortable place to lie down, a reliable internet connection, and somewhere you will not be disturbed for an hour. A blanket is worth having nearby, because your body temperature often drops once you are deeply relaxed.
What should I wear?
Anything comfortable. Loose clothing works best.
Do I need headphones?
Headphones usually give the best experience, particularly for the lower frequencies, which are the first thing small speakers lose. Good speakers work well too.
Are sound baths loud?
In person they can be. Online you are in control, so you set the volume at the start and can change it at any point during the session.
Does my camera need to be on?
Your camera can be on or off, whichever feels more comfortable, and it will not change the experience.
How long is a session?
Around 60 minutes.
Where are sessions held?
All sessions take place live online, so you can join from wherever you are.
Booking
How do I book?
Choose the session you want and complete the purchase, then email us and we will arrange a time that suits you. Sessions are booked personally rather than through an automated calendar, which means we can find a time that works wherever you are.
How often should I come?
There are no rules, and plenty of people come whenever the week has got away from them. If you want a recommendation, we would say every two or three weeks. What makes the difference is coming back regularly rather than any single session.
What if I need to cancel?
Let us know at least 24 hours beforehand and we will happily move your session. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice, and missed sessions, are treated as used.
Can I give a session as a gift?
Yes. Buy the session, then forward your confirmation email to the person it is for. When they are ready, they email us and we arrange a time that suits them.
Do bundles expire?
Bundles are valid for six months from the date of purchase.
Between sessions
How can I continue at home?
The aim is not for you to depend on us. A few minutes of quiet breathing each day makes more difference than most people expect. If you want something more structured, our hand-painted meditation deck gives you one thing to come back to on the days when sitting quietly is not available to you.
About the deck
When will my deck arrive?
The Founding Edition is the first printing, and it ships in October 2026. Ordering now reserves one from that run, and we'll email you with tracking when yours is on its way. If that date moves, you'll hear from us before it does.
Where do you ship?
We ship to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Shipping is included in the price.
Will I have to pay customs or duties?
Possibly, depending on where you are. Import duties are set by the customs authority in your country rather than by us, and if they apply they're paid by you when the parcel is delivered. We can't tell you the amount in advance, which is frustrating, but we'd rather say so plainly than pretend otherwise.
Can I cancel?
Any time before your deck ships. Email hello@kokustudio.co and we'll refund you in full.
About Kokū
What does Kokū mean?
Kokū (虚空) is a Japanese word meaning boundless open space. To us it is the quiet space where something new can begin, and that idea shapes everything we make, from our live sound baths to our meditation deck.
Still have a question? Email hello@kokustudio.co and we'll be happy to help.