Adriana Dobbs understands the toll stress can take on mental and physical health.
Whether this stress comes from work, caregiving or living with a chronic illness, everyone should have the chance to unplug and make time to take care of themselves.
While embarking on her own health journey, Dobbs discovered stress relief in an unexpected place. After receiving an autoimmune diagnosis, Dobbs became more intentional about wellness. She attended a sound bath with her husband in 2019, unsure of what to expect. She found that she slept a lot better and the sound bath quieted her mind.
After her neurologist recommended anxiety medication, Dobbs decided that she wanted to pursue natural alternatives first. During COVID, she became certified and started playing for herself and found that sound baths calmed her nervous system in a way nothing else had. She said even her Oura ring noticed the difference, showing that her stress levels had reduced significantly.
Dobbs wanted others to experience the peace of mind that sound bath therapy brought her and was inspired to open her business, Serenity Sounds, in 2021. Serenity Sounds offers community and private sound bath experiences, workplace wellness programs and individual vibrational sound therapy sessions.
“Sound baths are listening experiences featuring crystal singing bowls and other acoustic instruments. They can be enjoyed seated or lying down, depending on the setting. Vibrational sound therapy is an individual experience using Himalayan singing bowls placed on or around the body,” Dobbs said.
Serenity Sounds brings monthly sound baths to their partner locations.
Two of her most popular classes are the Lavender Dreams Sound Bath and Waves of Calm Salt Cave Sound Bath. Lavender Dreams is an ambient class with aromatherapy designed to help you relax and unwind. Waves of Calm helps you to restore balance and unplug with the comfort of a zero-gravity chair and warm, soft lighting.
At each class, Dobbs explains what a sound bath is and helps attendees to feel comfortable and unplug from distractions during the guided meditation. With the calming atmosphere, it is completely normal to drift in and out of sleep, Dobbs said. She loves what she does and enjoys creating a space where people can find time for themselves.
Dobbs advises women looking to start their own business to “start with your own strengths and the experiences you already bring. You may know more, and have more, to offer than you give yourself credit for,” she said.
She suggests building relationships with others who can offer guidance and support, such as joining an organization like Jacksonville Women’s Business Center.
You don’t need to have experience with meditation or have to arrive feeling calm to benefit from attending a class, Dobbs said. Serenity Sounds is a great place for beginners and sound bath frequenters.
“Whether you’re attending a community sound bath or bringing an experience to your team or private gathering, the invitation is the same: make a little room to quiet the noise and restore,” she said.
Since 2023, Serenity Sounds has hosted 31 sound bath sessions at the Baptist Wellness Center in Nocatee with 316 attendees. Sessions will be offered at Baptist Wellness Center in Silverleaf starting in November as well. They also host sessions at The Mat in San Marco and Earth Salt Stone. Their next Lavender Dreams Sound Bath is on Oct. 18 at The Mat from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The next Waves of Calm Salt Cave Sound Bath will be held at Earth Salt Stone on Oct. 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. To stay up to date on their events, see their events calendar at https://www.yourserenitysounds.com/events and follow their Instagram @serenity_soundsvst.
