Sonoma County Gazette
Cotati Heart and Soul – A sound healing experience for Valentine’s Day
Marilyn Lane, February 1, 2025
Sonoma County Gazette
Cotati Heart and Soul – A sound healing experience for Valentine’s Day
Marilyn Lane,
February 1, 2025
Valentine’s Day is often considered the most romantic day of the year. While traditional gifts include chocolate and flowers, unique options like a meditative sound journey with Singing Bowl Healing can create an unforgettable experience.
Singing Bowl Healing, founded by Jesse Stark in Santa Rosa in 2016, offers individual and group sessions at its Santa Rosa studio, outdoor garden locations, private events, and workplaces. Monthly sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Songbird Healing Center in Cotati, where Stark began his journey.
Valentine’s Day is often considered the most romantic day of the year. While traditional gifts include chocolate and flowers, unique options like a meditative sound journey with Singing Bowl Healing can create an unforgettable experience.
Singing Bowl Healing, founded by Jesse Stark in Santa Rosa in 2016, offers individual and group sessions at its Santa Rosa studio, outdoor garden locations, private events, and workplaces. Monthly sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month at Songbird Healing Center in Cotati, where Stark began his journey.
A Journey to Sound Healing
Stark’s path to sound healing wasn’t straightforward. About 10 years ago, his mother brought a crystal singing bowl to his apartment. “That first strike, I felt something familiar in my body, but I couldn’t explain it,” Stark recalls. Despite his intrigue, he didn’t pursue sound healing right away. Later, after overcoming personal challenges, he bought several Tibetan-style bowls and began playing with them daily, eventually turning his passion into a business.
Stark’s goal is “to ignite your energy emotionally and physically, change your outlook and perspective on life so you’re able to look at it with a new sense of love and admiration.” He credits his mother, Pam, for guiding him toward his purpose. Although not a singing bowl practitioner, she practices Native American healing techniques and annually participates in South Dakota sweat lodges and sun dances.
The History of Singing Bowls
Metal singing bowls have been used for more than 5,000 years in Mesopotamia for medicinal and musical purposes. Their use spread to Tibet, Nepal, and India, eventually appearing in America in the 1960s and gaining popularity in the 1970s.
A session at Songbird Healing Center costs $20, with no RSVP required
Sessions welcome five to 20 attendees in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Participants can lie down on provided mats or sit in chairs, with personal comfort items like pillows and blankets encouraged. Those with health concerns should consult a doctor before participating. Stark aims to “create peaceful, meditative experiences that offer profound feelings of spiritual wellness and recalibration.”
Marilyn Lane is a Sonoma County resident who worked at The Press Democrat for 27 years.
