With dark, rainy months around the corner in the Valley, do you feel the need to reset and reconnect with yourself?
A sound healing retreat in Paradise Valley on Nov. 2 offers participants a chance to unwind, reflect, and engage in practices that promote both physical and emotional well-being.
The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature sound therapy, magnesium-based relaxation, and breathwork in an intimate setting with space for up to 14 attendees.
Local vendor Alice Savage, known for her Savage Sauerkraut at the Squamish Farmers' Market, will provide tea, snacks, and beverages after the session. Attendees can also unwind further in a magnesium-infused hot tub, adding an extra layer of relaxation to the evening.
The role of sound frequencies in relaxation
Katerina Klimes, who will lead the session, said she combines personalized sound healing with magnesium application and breathwork to help participants leave feeling grounded and balanced. “These frequencies act like mirrors, showing us what’s off-balance in the body’s energy,” Klimes said.
“When a person is exposed to these frequencies, their body and mind begin to resonate in harmony,” Klimes said. “Think of it as a reset. Our natural state is to be in balance with the rhythms of the Earth and the cosmos, but daily life—stress, trauma, technology—throws us off.”
Klimes said the vibrations from the frequencies interact with the nervous system to reduce stress and tension.
“The vibrations travel through the body, releasing tension, lowering anxiety, and even alleviating physical pain,” she said.
“The mind also benefits, entering a meditative or trance-like state where healing can occur. In this state, the body’s parasympathetic nervous system is activated—encouraging rest, digestion, and recovery. The result is a sense of grounding, peace, and alignment with one’s true self.”
Tamara Goldsby’s research at the University of California, San Diego, found that sound baths using instruments like singing bowls and gongs can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also reported improvements in emotional and spiritual well-being. The study explains that sound frequencies promote brainwave entrainment, shifting the body into a relaxed state that activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
A personal journey through trauma and healing
Klimes's personal experiences of “trauma and healing” shaped her practice.
“We escaped [Czechoslovakia] when I was seven, fleeing through Yugoslavia in the middle of the night. We crossed a kilometre and a half, avoiding barking dogs, barbed wire, and machine guns. My sister was three at the time. My mother carried us through mud, lifting us step by step,” she said.
Although the family eventually settled in Canada, Klimes said she experienced lingering health challenges into adulthood.
“By the time I was a teenager, I was struggling with panic attacks, anxiety, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, and migraines,” she said. “It took years of experimenting with diet, supplements, and sleep routines before I discovered magnesium. Once I did, everything just melted away.”
Incorporating magnesium for deeper relaxation
Her sessions incorporate magnesium oils, roll-ons, and body butters, which participants are encouraged to apply to their feet and bodies during the event.
“I’ve always known about magnesium because I grew up in Europe, where there are all the healing waters.”
A study done in 2024 found that magnesium helps regulate neurotransmitters involved in mood and sleep, such as serotonin, and promotes melatonin production, improving sleep quality. Additionally, magnesium has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and fostering relaxation through its influence on the parasympathetic nervous system.
Precision tuning with Solfeggio frequencies
Klimes tunes her crystal bowls before each session to ensure they align with Solfeggio frequencies, mathematical patterns she links to harmony found in nature.
“Solfeggio frequencies follow a mathematical formula, like the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio,” she said.
"Most people don’t use Solfeggio frequencies properly,” Klimes said.
“Many assume the bowls they buy are already tuned to these frequencies. For example, if you look up bowls, they might be labelled as ‘Solfeggio bowls.’ But if you use a simple tuner, even one on your phone, and play the bowl on the ground, you’ll notice they’re usually slightly off from the correct frequency.”
Klimes said the frequencies of the bowls are not fixed and respond to various forms of energy. “Even though bowls seem solid, their frequencies change daily, reacting to emotions, energy, and even the Earth’s energy,” she said.
Encouraging everyday tools for healing
Klimes said the goal of the retreat is to provide participants with tools they can use every day.
“Whether it’s singing in the car or using sound to reset themselves, I want people to know they can achieve healing without extra cost, especially during a financial crisis,” she said.
She also encourages participants to explore sound healing through their own voices.
“The best tool for sound healing is your own voice,” Klimes said. “Your chest, heart, and lung cavity are natural sound bowls, and by singing, you can create healing vibrations within yourself every day. It’s completely free and far more effective than relying on Bluetooth or digital tools.”
For those interested in learning more, Klimes will be at the Squamish Farmers' Market this Saturday, giving residents a chance to connect with her and explore her work.
For those who are interested in attending the retreat, visit https://milaearth.com/product/paradise-valley-sound-healing/. The cost of the retreat is $85.
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. Her beat also includes Squamish Valley and Paradise Valley. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
