DreamSpa - Sound and Light Experience

What will happen during the DreamSpa sound and light experience?

During the DreamSpa, participants will be seated next to a Dreamachine, where they will explore the art and science behind this transformative device. The experience includes playing with light and sound, with a guided meditation delving into the potential of the mind. Attendees are encouraged to move freely and even take a break, with opportunities for drawing and journaling. 

This is a 60-minute experience held in the newly launched  Old Amersham Holistic Health Centre ‘The Space’.  It’s suitable for children over the age of 7. An adult must accompany children under 16. The Dreamachine uses flashing lights and is not suitable for people with epilepsy, photosensitivity, or any sensitivity to flashing lights.

We have five-time slots available throughout the day. In each timeslot, you will be welcomed as a small group to experience the DreamSpa together, so you're welcome to come along on your own with a family member or group of friends. Just make sure you book the same time slot.

13.00 - 14.00 LAST FEW SPACES

14.30 - 15.30

16.00 - 17.00 (Adults only)

17.30 - 18.30  (Adults only)

19.00 - 20.00 (Adults only) LAST FEW SPACES

Please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your booking.

What is the Dreamachine?

In 1958, artist Brion Gysin had a transcendental experience that would change his life and work. Gysin was travelling on a bus through a tree-lined avenue in Southern France, dozing with his head against the window. The flickering sunlight over his closed eyelids triggered a hallucinatory experience:

‘An overwhelming flood of intensive bright patterns in supernatural colours exploded behind my eyelids: a multidimensional kaleidoscope whirling out through space. The vision stopped abruptly when we left the trees. Was that a vision?’ (Geiger, 2004)

Gysin had experienced the stroboscopic visual phenomena of Flicker. The Flicker phenomenon was already known and documented, with accounts stretching as far back as Nostradamus and to yet more ancient spiritual and shamanistic practices.

His vision led him to create The Dreamachine, a stroboscopic device that, when viewed through closed eyelids, creates visions in the mind’s eye of the viewer. In the DreamSpa Sound and Light experience, you will experience Dreamachines created by interdisciplinary artist Lucy Chapman based on Gysin’s original plans.

Each person’s response to the Dreamachine is unique to the viewer. Some people see kaleidoscopic patterns and images, others experience more figurative visions, and some simply see the inside of their eyelids.

The current scientific hypothesis is that when we view the Dreamachine, we are looking at our visual cortex.

Come and experiment with the potential of your own imagination!

Health & Safety warning - The Dreamachine uses flashing lights and is not suitable for people with epilepsy, photosensitivity, or any sensitivity to flashing lights.

What is a Sound Spa?

A Sound Spa (also known as a Gong Bath) is a powerful sonic meditation that enables deep relaxation to bring about peace and wellbeing for improved health. The vibrations from the gongs assist the release of emotional and energy blockages in the body and stimulate deep healing on a cellular level.

The gong slows the brainwaves, inducing a dreamlike state and opening us up to take an inner journey where our sense of time disappears, and we are left to simply 'be' and vibrate with the gong.

This is a collaboration between The Chiltern Sound Spa and Artist Lucy Chapman

About Lucy Chapman

Lucy is an interdisciplinary artist, teacher and Inclusion specialist. This duality informs her artistic practice, which examines the tension between scientific objectivity and subjective lived experience.  Lucy's work draws on scientific research, with a particular focus on neuroscience and the natural world. Her work spans printmaking, drawing, sculpture and installation.

Some useful tips

• You will be seated on a chair, so there is no need to bring a yoga mat or blanket. You are welcome to bring a cushion.
• We’ll be doing some journaling, so bring a special notepad and pen to capture any thoughts, feelings or ideas you experience.
• Please feel free to bring a bottle of water or a flask of tea/ coffee.
• At the start, we’ll take time to get comfortable and relaxed, so please arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your booking.
• Please place your phone on aeroplane mode.
• You are welcome to share any photographs you take with us or tag us on social media @thechilternsoundspa & @luceprints

Precautions

• The Dreamachine uses flashing lights and is not suitable for people with epilepsy, photosensitivity, or any sensitivity to flashing lights.

• Pregnancy (not recommended under 3 months due to the unstable nature of any pregnancy during the first trimester.

• Tinnitus/ Menieres / Epilepsy or any condition which is sound sensitive or could be triggered by sound.

• Metal implants/pacemakers, etc. (can resonate the metal and also change the rhythm of pacemakers)

• Anyone with a serious Mental Health Condition.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions hello@thechilternsoundspa.com

Refunds

Apologies, we are unable to offer refunds. However, if you can no longer make it, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to a friend and just let us know in advance.