The Healing Power of Silence and Sound

It is in the quiet corners of our lives where healing begins. There is a sacred space between noise and stillness, and in it - something profound shifts. At Northern Light Yoga in Oslo, I had the honor to witness how silence and sound—seemingly opposite forces—can become powerful tools for transformation, grounding, and peace. Sometimes it's in the deep stillness of the silent yoga retreats... Other times it’s in the resonant frequencies of a sound healing session… What’s certain is that these ancient healing practices invite us to return to ourselves most profoundly - by simply being present.

In this blog post, I want to share with you how silence and sound interconnect and support healing in yoga. Especially here in Norway, where nature, in all of its stillness and sound, is so deeply part of our way of life.

Silence is a Gift

In our modern world, we have this tendency to explain silence as an absence of sound. And that couldn’t be further from the truth. Silence is the presence of everything, an opportunity to focus ourselves on whatever we wish, and then, bring it forth in reality. In this busy world that we live in, filled with constant stimulation, silence feels unfamiliar, sometimes even uncomfortable. But, in that quiet space lies the opportunity to deeply listen, reflect, and heal.

In our silent yoga retreats, something extraordinary happens. As we stop speaking, we start listening - to our breath, our heartbeat, the rustling of the trees, the wind. We begin to feel fully, to be present fully, to simply be, fully. These silent retreats are a cornerstone of healing yoga, as they create a sacred pause for our nervous system and give space to the nervous system and spirit to soften, relax, and reset.

Sound is a Vibrational Medicine

Just as silence has power, so too does sound. While silence is stillness, sound is vibration… And, vibration is life. Yoga teaches us that the body, mind, and energy are deeply influenced by the vibrations around and within us.

Healing with sound is an ancient practice and it works in a subtle, but very profound way. When we use instruments like gongs, chimes, singing bowls, or our own voices, the sound guides us into meditative states - the body relaxes, the mind quiets and the spirit vibrates. This is why sacred Om chanting is such a powerful vibrational exercise.

In my practice, I have often seen practitioners feeling physical or emotional release, and fall into a dream-like inner peace where time seems to disappear. At Northern Light Yoga, times and times again I’ve seen how sound creates a safe space for healing, prompting transformation as no words could ever do. Sound has a wonderful way of bypassing the thinking mind and moving straight into the heart and nervous system, reminding the body of its natural harmony and supporting it to vibrate on such a frequency.

Exploring Sound Healing

If you are curious about sound healing and want to experience it firsthand, we warmly welcome you to join us at our studio. It doesn’t matter whether you are new to the practice or already a sound lover, our offerings welcome and embrace all. If you want to learn a little bit more about sound healing, we warmly recommend our blog on the topic.

During a sound bath in Oslo, we all comfortably lie on mats, covered in blankets and immersed in waves of healing tones made by ancient instruments like gongs or Tibetan bowls. We also use our voices, crystal bowls, or gentle percussion. The experience grounds, but also expands.

In Gong meditations, we go to a deeper level - the profound resonance of the gong guides our brain into slower brainwaves, similar to what happens during deep sleep, although we are fully aware. With that, we release tension, lower stress, connect to our very core, and dive into our inner stillness.

Our gong baths in Oslo are becoming more and more popular, and it’s easy to see why. They promote effortless meditation, without any experience, skills, or techniques needed. It’s a simple act of receiving the healing that the Gong gives. Many of our students report better sleep, more emotional clarity, and a sense of peace that lingers on, long after the session itself. I’ve had therapists share with me that the gong baths can help break emotional blockages that therapy takes months to achieve.

At Northern Light Yoga, we hold regular sessions in our warm, welcoming space. The studio fills with sound, candlelight, and calm. It’s a yoga experience that nourishes body, mind, and soul.

Learning to Heal with Sound

For all of you who feel deeply drawn to this experience, we offer sound healing training in Oslo, too. The programs are open to everyone, from yoga teachers and wellness professionals to anyone who wants to learn and grow as a sound healer. So, if you “resonate” with using sound as a tool for healing, connection, and creativity, we warmly welcome you.

In our training, we explore both the science and the intuition behind healing with sound. You will learn how to use gongs, bowls, and other instruments. You will also learn how to listen more deeply—to yourself, to others, and to the subtle language of vibration.

Many start this journey for their own self-care, and soon discover how naturally they can share it with friends, family, and their communities. After all, sound opens doors we didn’t know were closed.

Finding Balance in Silence and Sound

Silence and sound are not opposites—they are partners. They create space for one another, allowing to other to be heard. And, in both stillness and vibration, we are invited to come home to ourselves.

At Northern Light Yoga, we believe in honoring both, giving them the physical space to work their power. We offer experiences that restore harmony from the inside out, and we do that with silent yoga retreats, gong meditations, and gentle healing yoga classes.

If your soul is looking for rest, nourishment, or simply a deeper breath—come and explore these experiences with us. You don’t need any special skills or experience, just yourself, exactly as you are.