Photograph courtesy of AngelRae Robinson
AngelRae Robinson, founder of ZAH by AngelRae, is a certified Reiki Master. She often plays sound bowls in her sessions for clients, but wanted to create something bigger that could truly help people unplug. “A lot of times, people say they’re going to go home and kick their feet up and relax, and they end up on their phone,” she says. “I wanted to create a place vulnerable enough to rest.”
Last year, she landed on the idea of a floating sound bath, combining the soothing properties of water and the meditative, releasing experience of being immersed in sound for a one-two relaxation punch. “When you add water to [a sound bath], it’s a different type of relaxation,” she says. She acknowledges that meditating and releasing everything can be hard for clients. She wanted to create something more tactile to help their minds wander less.
Some gyms and yoga studios have similar offerings, but she’s made it more of a holistic experience. Hers is a three-hour float session that starts at sunset. There are mindfulness and releasing exercises before anyone even gets in the water. (There’s also an option to stay on land and participate.) Twenty to 25 participants lay on floats in a pool, covered with blankets and eye masks. Scents and soft lighting help transform a regular backyard pool into a place of relaxation. For 45 minutes, Robinson works her magic at the sound bowls.
Photograph courtesy of AngelRae Robinson
Robinson holds her sound baths in the suburbs where she finds peace. “There are lots of trees and not a lot of noise around the pools I select. They’re in more secluded areas, so you don’t get the hustle and bustle of the city,” she says.
Recently, ZAH by AngelRae has gone viral on social media. Robinson is sold out for general floats through October, but still has private sessions available to book at her facilities or in-home pools and will be adding more group floats soon to help more people deeply relax. “This is an organic experience for people to start their human journey,” she says. “ I have created a safe space for people to come and do that.”
