A “sound bath” is a holistic wellness practice that involves immersing oneself in soothing sounds and vibrations produced by various instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs and chimes, each producing unique tones.

Participants are usually seated or lying down in a comfortable position, often with yoga mats and blankets, in a quiet and dimly lit space with closed eyes, allowing the resonant sounds to create a meditative and relaxing experience.

The facilitator may vary the intensity and frequencies of the sounds, creating a dynamic sonic landscape. The sound bath is designed to be a non-judgmental space where individuals can explore and process their feelings, fostering a sense of emotional well-being by harnessing the therapeutic power of sound waves that “wash” over the participants.

The combination of sound waves are designed to be heard but also felt physically, engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and encouraging a deep state of relaxation. This may help lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone levels, and slow the heart rate, inviting the body to potentially heal and restore itself and enhance wellbeing. 

(Resource: Forbes)

~ Calms the mind and body to relieve stress and reduce anxiety
~ Improves sleep quality 
~ Physical healing and pain relief, relaxing the sympathetic nervous system allowing the body to naturally heal
~ Emotional release and healing from trauma 
~ Boosts your mood, increasing feelings of happiness, joy and tranquility 
~ Relaxes muscular tension
~ Better body awareness/being more in tune with your body 
~ Increased focus and clarity
~ Elevates feelings of spiritual well-being

Safe and Sound Wellness is located on the second floor inside the Oldest City Arts & Wellness Lounge, located at: 93 1/2 King Street.

Parking in downtown St. Augustine can be a little tricky, so here are a few tips to make it easier:

• Look for signs marked Oldest City Arts & Wellness Lounge and park only in the designated spaces — both the brick and paved areas directly in front of the building are available for your use.

• If those spaces are full, the closest public lot is at 30 Granada Street, just a short 5-minute walk away. 

• Additional street parking can be found at 50 Cedar Street, right behind the building.

• Residents can park for .50/hr, and the full rate is $2.50/hr.

• Pay at the meter with a credit card or through the ParkStAug App.

• City parking is free on Sundays until 1pm.

Just bring yourself! Everything you need will be provided and thoughtfully set up for your comfort, including a 3" mat, pillow, blanket, bolster, and eye mask. We recommend dressing in loose, non-restrictive clothing or comfortable athletic wear so you can fully relax and enjoy the experience.

While each offering is unique and may flow a little differently depending on the experience, here’s what you can typically expect when attending my weekly Soothing Sunday Sound Bath. My cozy space holds up to 12 people, allowing for an intimate and supportive environment.

Getting Settled / Tea Time
Doors open 30 minutes before the session begins. Enjoy a calming cup of hot or cold tea as you settle into the space—feel free to bring your favorite mug! We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to allow time for parking, using the restroom, and getting comfortable. The session begins promptly at the scheduled start time, and the doors will close to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

Guided Grounding Meditation
Once you're lying down comfortably, you’ll be gently guided through a grounding meditation and breathwork practice to help center your thoughts and set your intention. Prefer to sit instead of lie down? No problem—just let me know ahead of time and I’ll have a chair ready for you.

Sound Healing Experience
Allow yourself to fully relax and receive as you're immersed in the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, Himalayan bowls, chimes, gongs, and drums. These therapeutic frequencies are designed to soothe your nervous system, restore energetic balance, and support your body’s natural healing processes.

Integration / Closing Tea Time
We’ll close with a few quiet moments to reflect, ground, and gently return to the present. Tea will be offered again for those who wish to linger, sip, and connect—or you’re welcome to enjoy your tea outside on our balcony overlooking the charming, bustling streets of downtown St. Augustine. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the peace of your experience before heading home.

Yes! I offer beautifully curated private sound bath experiences designed to support deep relaxation, energetic alignment, and personal healing.

• Individual Private Sound Bath – $88
  A 1:1 session tailored just for you. Perfect for tuning inward, releasing stress, and reconnecting with your inner peace.

• Private Sound Bath for Two – $125
  A special experience for partners, friends, or loved ones to relax, reset, and share in a healing journey together.

• Group Sound Baths – $33 per person (6-person minimum)
  Ideal for small gatherings, celebrations, wellness events, or intentional circles. Gather your community for a transformative, shared sound journey.

All sessions are held at the Oldest City Arts & Wellness Lounge in the heart of downtown St. Augustine. I’m also available for travel and off-site events upon request.

Sound Bath meditations are secular (non-religious) in nature, based on the foundations of mindfulness, and encourage a kind and open-minded attitude towards self and others. 

Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Whether you are new to sound baths or familiar with their benefits, offering a restorative and enriching retreat. 

Although sound healing has been used for centuries all over the world as a wellbeing practice and is very safe and effective. There are some occasions when it is advisable to speak with your doctor before you participate in an event. Such as, if you:

• are pregnant

• a severe mental health condition, such as paranoid schizophrenia, psychosis, bi-polar (if unmanaged) or if you have disclosed suicidal thoughts.

• any metal implants/plates inside your body, such as a pacemaker, coronary shunt, artificial heart valves, metal pins or staples.

• heart conditions

Always do your own research/consult your doctor before attending a sound bath session while pregnant. In my experience, exposure to Sound Baths while pregnant is safe when offered by an experienced facilitator. I have found no proof or study that shows that it is harmful for the unborn child. However, we must remember sound travels faster through liquid and therefore the sound would be amplified for the child. Generally sound healing triggers the release of happy, feel good and love hormones and I recommend pregnant women who choose to attend can sit or lay further away from the source of the sound.

You may reschedule your session up to 48 hours in advance by using the link provided in your booking confirmation email. Life happens—if something unexpected comes up or you experience an emergency, just send me a message. I understand and will do my best to accommodate your situation with care and compassion.

Yes, I do! Gift certificates are a beautiful way to share the healing experience of sound with someone you love. You can purchase a gift certificate for either a Soothing Sound Bath group session or for a Private Sound Bath here

Whether it's for a birthday, a thank-you, or just because, it's a gift that nurtures the mind, body, and soul.

Yes, gratuities are always appreciated but never expected. If you feel called to leave a tip as a token of appreciation for your experience, I receive it with gratitude and love.

How can I leave a tip?
Tips can be given in person with cash, or digitally via Venmo (@christen-helme) or credit card through Square. Choose whatever method feels most convenient and aligned for you—your support is deeply appreciated.

Is gratuity included in the session price?
No, gratuity is not included in the session or event price. All listed prices reflect the cost of the service only.

What is a typical gratuity amount?
Tipping is completely personal and optional. Some clients choose to tip 10-20%, while others offer what feels aligned for them. Please know that your presence and energy are the greatest gifts.