top of page

Frequently Asked Questions 
about sound healing and gongs.

Does sound healing involve stretching or difficult poses? 

Our Gong journeys are blissfully simple: you arrive, you get comfortable, and the sound does the rest. No movement, no positioning, no stretching involved. (The 'stretch' in our name? That's for expanding minds and our Rossiter bodywork sessions — a whole other kind of magic.)

 

What is Iris, and why does it matter that your gong is so large?

Iris is a 60-inch (5-foot) rain gong — the largest healing gong in Colorado. At that size, her vibrations don't just fill the room — they move through you. The sheer surface area of a gong this large generates wave frequencies that resonate deep into the body's tissues, nervous system, and energetic field in a way that smaller instruments simply cannot replicate. She is powerful, nuanced, and surprisingly tender. Words fall short. This is one of those things you truly have to feel for yourself.

​What is sound healing — and how is this different from a typical sound bath?

Sound healing at Rocky Mountain Restore & Stretch is a deeply immersive, nervous-system-focused practice that works on every level — body, mind, and beyond. Sessions are intentionally structured using gongs and sound frequencies to influence the autonomic nervous system: the system that governs stress, relaxation, digestion, sleep, and recovery.

Unlike many sound baths that lean purely on ambience or spiritual ceremony, this work is both skill-based and felt in the bones. The goal is to help your body shift out of chronic fight-or-flight and into a state where repair, regulation, and real healing can occur — physically, emotionally, and energetically.

In short: this is not background music. It's a portal and a practice.

Is there actual science behind sound healing?

Is there actual science behind sound healing?

Yes. While the field continues to evolve, solid research shows that sound and vibration produce measurable physiological effects. Structured sound exposure has been shown to:

  • Reduce stress hormones such as cortisol

  • Lower heart rate and blood pressure

  • Support parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activation

  • Shift brainwave activity toward slower, calmer states

These responses mirror what's observed in deep meditation, breathwork, and other evidence-based practices — and many participants experience something that goes well beyond what the data can capture. Whether you call it regulation, restoration, or something more mystical, something real is happening here.

This work does not require belief. But it may surprise you anyway.

How does sound affect the nervous system?

Your nervous system is constantly assessing safety and threat. Chronic stress, trauma, illness, and pain can lock the system into a heightened state of alert.

Intentional sound stimulation can:

  • Interrupt stress signaling

  • Encourage vagal tone (healthy vagus nerve function)

  • Support a shift from sympathetic (fight‑or‑flight) dominance to parasympathetic regulation

  • Reduce muscular guarding and internal tension

When the nervous system settles, the body often experiences reduced pain, improved digestion, better sleep, clearer thinking, and emotional stability.

What conditions or concerns do people come in with?

Clients often report relief from:

  • Anxiety, and acute or chronic stress

  • Depression, grief, or emotional burnout

  • Chronic pain and tension patterns

  • Nervous‑system dysregulation

  • Sleep disruption

  • Addiction recovery support

  • Fatigue and overwhelm

Sound healing does not diagnose or treat disease. What it does is support the physiological conditions required for healing and regulation, which many people are missing in modern life.

What does a session feel like?

Every session is its own journey. Most people experience deep relaxation, reduced mental noise, and a sense of the body finally letting go. Some feel warmth, tingling, waves of emotion, or unexpected clarity. Others drift into dream-like states, receive inner guidance, or simply feel profoundly still.

There is no "right" experience — and there's nothing to perform or achieve.

Not everyone has visions or dramatic sensations, and that doesn't mean the session isn't working. The primary effects are neurological and physiological — but don't be surprised if something unexpected moves through you. Just one session can be profound.

Do I need to be spiritual to benefit?

Not at all. Many clients are analytical, science-minded, or openly skeptical when they arrive — and they leave wondering when they can come back.

Sound works on the nervous system regardless of belief, much like breathing techniques, music, or movement. That said, those who are spiritually oriented often find this work richly layered — a meeting place between the measurable and the mysterious.

All are welcome. Bring whatever you've got.

How often should I attend sessions?

Many people feel noticeable relief after a single session. However, chronic patterns — anxiety, pain, long‑term stress, nervous‑system exhaustion — respond best to regular sessions.

Think of this like physical therapy for your nervous system:

  • One session can create relief

  • Consistency creates lasting change

Weekly, bi‑weekly, or monthly sessions are common for those seeking deeper regulation and long‑term results.

Who is this work best suited for?

This practice is especially beneficial for people who:

  • Feel “stuck” in stress or tension despite trying many things

  • Carry stress in their body rather than just their mind

  • Want results without needing to talk or analyze

  • Want support with chronic disease symptoms

  • Are curious but skeptical and want something grounded, not performative

While it can sometimes be disguised as entertainment or ceremony, all sessions are thoughtfully designed for real nervous‑system relief.

Is this a replacement for medical or mental health care?

Sound healing is complementary, not a substitute for medical, psychological, or psychiatric care.

Many clients integrate this work alongside therapy, physical rehabilitation, medical treatment, or recovery programs and find it enhances their overall outcomes by helping the body regulate stress more effectively.

What makes Rocky Mountain Restore & Stretch different?

Our work is grounded in:

  • Nervous-system education and somatic awareness

  • Precision use of sound — not playlists, not performance

  • A trauma-aware, deeply intentional environment

  • Respect for both science and the lived, felt, sometimes unexplainable experience

 

This is a practice with roots and rigor — and room for the things that can't be fully explained. Your body knows things your mind hasn't caught up to yet. We just create the conditions for that conversation to happen.

Still unsure?

That's okay. Skepticism is welcome here.

You don't need to believe anything — you only need to show up, lie down, and notice what happens when your body is finally given space to downshift, reset, and remember itself.

Do I need to bring anything?

If you are scheduling your session at our foothills location, you do not need to bring anything unless you would prefer your own mat, blanket, and pillow. Everything is provided, including mats, bolsters, blankets, pillows, and eye masks.  If scheduling a community session at our Loveland location or out and about, please bring a mat, blanket, and pillow for maximum comfort. 

When should I arrive?

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before start time to use the restroom and settle in.

How long does it last?

The actual gong playing can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 60 minutes for most community events. Times vary for private appointments.  If your session is at The Golden House, we invite you to stay a few minutes after, build community, and enjoy some delicious, fruity tea, a guest favorite!

What if I wear a hearing aid?

Many people choose to remove their hearing aids during sessions but that is a choice for you to make.

 

Are there any considerations?

Possibly. It may not be suitable for people with pacemakers or other implants, those suffering from serious heart conditions, acute or serious mental health problems, or those who may suffer from sound-induced epilepsy. If you are in any doubt about your suitability to attend these sessions, please consult your medical practitioner for advice.

Where are you located?

Our primary wellness space, 3616 Soderburg Dr., is about 15 minutes west of Fort Collins near Horsetooth Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain. Here we offer most of our community and private, personal, and small group sessions up to 12-14 people. We also offer outdoor sessions here. 

You might also find us sharing space with various venues throughout the area, like  Luckyfoot Martial Arts at 521 N. Denver Ave., Loveland. A larger space, clean, newly remodeled with energizing vibes, can accommodate ~ 25 participants for larger events.  This space is also available for rent to others in fitness or wellness work. Message us to inquire. 

We also offer our gong sessions as a mobile experience for your home, workplace or school. 

How can I contact you with questions?

Feel free to call/text 970-344-9882, or send us an email at chosenhealthandwellness@gmail.com

Client Experience

"Amazing grounding and rejuvenating experience! I’ve been going almost every week for nearly two years. It’s been a foundational touchstone in gaining calm and centeredness in my life. No more anxiety, no more chronic migraines, much less debilitating pain, all traded in for a beautifully calm nervous system. I leave every session with a peace that follows me for days. Highly recommend to anyone who is seeking like-minded community and a touchpoint in their regular routine to bring them back to themselves, release their mind chaos, and find calm in their bodies." Sam R. Fort Collins

Rocky Mountain

Restore & Stretch LLC

Fort Collins, Colorado 

(970) 344-9882

©2022 by Rocky Mountain Restore & Stretch LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without written permission.

 Services and content are offered for holistic wellness and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

QR CODE for mailing list
bottom of page