In the constant search for tranquillity amidst the bustle of modern life, a Hamilton studio is offering a unique escape that combines ancient healing practices with modern equipment. High Above, located in the central city on Ward Street, is hosting regular floating meditation sessions, inviting Hamiltonians to suspend their stress and float into a state of deep relaxation.
The one-hour experience involves participants being cocooned in an aerial hammock, suspended a short distance from the ground. This sense of weightlessness is coupled with a sound bath, a therapeutic practice where participants are immersed in the resonant frequencies of crystal sound bowls. Unlike traditional guided meditations that rely on spoken words, these sessions are led entirely by sound, creating an immersive and deeply personal journey.
The experience is designed to be accessible, requiring no previous experience with either aerial yoga or meditation. The studio hopes to provide a gateway to mindfulness for those who find traditional, stillness-focused meditation challenging. By removing distractions and creating a nurturing, womb-like environment in the hammock, the practice aims to quieten a busy mind and promote a sense of calm and clarity.
A new wave of sound-based wellness
The central element of the experience is the sound bath. This is a form of passive meditation where participants simply lie back and allow the sounds to wash over them. The crystal bowls, when struck or played with a mallet, produce rich, resonant tones and vibrations that are said to help balance the body’s energy centres and promote healing.
The practice is rooted in the idea that all matter, including the human body, vibrates at a natural frequency. Stress, illness, and environmental factors can disrupt this harmony. Proponents of sound therapy believe that the pure, high-frequency vibrations from the crystal bowls can help recalibrate the body's own frequencies, guiding it back to a state of equilibrium. This process is known as sonorous resonance.
According to research into the effects of sound on the brain, certain frequencies can encourage the shift from the active beta brainwave state to the more relaxed alpha and even meditative theta states. A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine found that Tibetan singing bowl meditation was associated with significant reductions in tension, anxiety, and depression.
While suspended in the hammock, the body is more receptive to these subtle vibrations, potentially deepening the therapeutic effects. The aim is to regulate the nervous system, reduce stress hormones like cortisol, and leave participants feeling rejuvenated and centred.
From yoga feedback to a unique Hamilton experience
The floating meditation sessions at High Above were first introduced in 2020. The concept grew organically from feedback given by those attending aerial yoga classes, who often commented on how relaxing it was to simply lie cocooned in the hammocks and that they could do it for an entire hour.
This insight led the studio to develop a dedicated class that focused solely on this restorative aspect, pairing it with the increasingly popular practice of sound baths. Located on Ward Street next to Centre Place, the studio provides a serene oasis in the heart of the Hamilton CBD, allowing city workers and residents to easily access a moment of peace during their week.
The hammocks themselves are professional-grade Antigravity models, each load-tested to hold up to 450kg, ensuring a safe and secure experience for every participant. This focus on safety allows attendees to fully let go and immerse themselves in the soundscape without apprehension.
Who can benefit from floating meditation?
One of the key appeals of this floating meditation is its accessibility. It is presented as an ideal entry point for individuals who are curious about meditation but struggle with the discipline of sitting still or find it difficult to tame their racing thoughts in silence. The physical sensation of being weightless and the immersive nature of the sound provides a focal point, making it easier to drift into a meditative state.
The sessions are structured to support both beginners and experienced meditators looking for a new dimension to their practice. The experience is about surrendering to the sensations of sound and suspension, which can help foster mindfulness and improve mental focus over time. The sessions are restricted to those aged 16 and over.
This event is part of a growing interest in experiential wellness, where individuals are seeking out unique and immersive activities to support their mental and physical health. It reflects a shift away from passive relaxation towards more engaging practices that offer both novelty and tangible benefits for community wellbeing. Similar immersive sound and light experiences, like the DARKLIGHT 'Hidden World' exhibition in Auckland, are also gaining popularity.
What you need to know before you go
The one-hour sessions cost $40 per person, and because spaces are limited, online bookings are essential. Participants are advised to wear comfortable, warm clothing without zips, buttons, or jewellery that could snag the hammock fabric. Any jewellery that cannot be removed will be covered with tape by the studio.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or an extra layer for warmth and may also wish to bring a scarf or rolled-up top to use as a head support for added comfort. Socks must be worn throughout the session.
Due to the quiet and immersive nature of the event, punctuality is crucial. The studio enforces a strict no-late-admissions policy to avoid disrupting the experience for others, asking attendees to arrive five minutes before the scheduled 12:00pm start time. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all workshop bookings.
With sessions running most Sundays, the opportunity for Hamiltonians to float away from their weekly stresses is becoming a fixture in the city's wellness landscape, offering a consistent and accessible way to recharge and refocus.
