Sound healing has moved from a niche wellness practice into a recognized form of contemplative experience, and Costa Rica is one of the more active countries in the Americas for it. At Nebulae, in the mountains of San Roque de Barva, sound is not an add-on to a yoga retreat. It is one of the three founding pillars of the project, alongside architecture and movement.
What sound healing actually is
Sound healing, sometimes called sound bath or sound journey, uses sustained vibrations from acoustic instruments to support relaxation, nervous system regulation, and meditative states. Common instruments include Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, gongs, monochords, hang drums, tuning forks, and the human voice. Some practitioners also integrate electronic and ambient sound to extend the palette into deeper frequencies.
The experience is usually offered lying down, fully clothed, with eyes closed. Sessions can last anywhere from 30 minutes to over two hours. There is no choreography to follow and no posture to hold. The work is to receive sound and let the body recalibrate.
Why architecture matters in sound work
Most sound sessions take place in rooms that were not designed for sound. Carpeted yoga studios, hotel ballrooms, and converted living rooms each impose their own acoustic limitations. The instruments still work, but the listener is doing extra perceptual work to filter out reflections and ambient noise.
Nebulae was designed with sound in mind from the early sketches. The Shala and the Laureal Event Center both have geometries, surfaces, and openings that allow low frequencies to travel cleanly without harsh reflections, while keeping the practitioner connected to the soundscape of the surrounding mountains. The result is a sound environment where instruments do not feel boxed in, and silence between sounds has the same presence as the sounds themselves.
The Zenbog project: sound as architecture
Eric Bogantes, the architect of Nebulae, also produces sound under the name Zenbog. The project explores how electronic, ambient, and downtempo textures can extend the practice of sound healing beyond the traditional acoustic palette. Curated DJ sets and immersive sound journeys at Nebulae often weave Zenbog material with live acoustic instruments, creating sessions that move between the meditative and the celebratory.
What a sound session at Nebulae looks like
- Arrival and grounding: a short meditation or breath practice to settle the nervous system
- Acoustic phase: singing bowls, gong, and other instruments build a continuous vibrational field
- Immersive electronic phase: in some sessions, ambient electronic textures extend the experience into longer arcs
- Integration: a final silence and a slow return to seated, with optional tea and journaling
Sound healing as part of a longer retreat
Travelers often combine sound work with a yoga retreat at Nebulae or with a stay in one of the architectural units. For groups, the entire space can be reserved for a multi-day sound and movement immersion.
Booking a sound session
Public sound sessions are scheduled around private events. To attend, book through the Events page, email info@nebulae.cr, or WhatsApp +506 6300 0064. Private group sound journeys can be commissioned for retreats, corporate offsites, and brand experiences.