The British Academy of Sound Therapy (BAST) has created specific methods for collective and individual sound journeys that focus on using sound in a therapeutic way, rather than just as a generic healing tool.
The BAST method couples sound sequences and psychological exercises to use sound as a tool for reflecting on your inner self and establish a relationship with your subconscious. This is done by inducing an altered state of consciousness (ASC) with the use of vibrational instruments such as Himalayan bowl and gongs, along with minimal but precise reflection before and after the treatment.
This method involves the use of specific instruments in a set order and it has been put together by the academy director, Lyz Cooper, a graduate in music therapy who has 25 years experience in the field of sound therapy. The key element of the BAST method apart from vibrational sound is the 5Rs Sax-Cooper Model, comprising a combination of simple visualisations and questions for interpreting your experience of the reality around and inside you.
BAST has also created several models to use sound as a therapeutic and creative art-form in a group – you can find out more in the ‘Group Sessions’ section of this website. For example, in Soundscapes you can explore improvisation, sonic-art and community music making. This type of group sessions can be an incredible therapeutic tool to dive into your subconscious, using the interaction with other people to both challenge you and support you – and they require no previous knowledge of playing an instrument. They can also be a very effective teambuilding activity in corporate environments, along with other group sound experiences like drum circles.
