Sound baths & sound healing in Portugal

Look inwards.
That is where healing begins.

Deeply restorative sound journeys with gongs, singing bowls and healing instruments, for retreats, groups, individuals and couples.

For retreat leaders Book a private session
The meaning of Opanayko

To look inside, to go inwards, into your own healing flow.

Through specific frequencies and vibration, sound brings you into deep relaxation and profound nurturing of your wellbeing. No previous experience is needed. Simply come as you are, lie down, receive, and let the sounds guide you inward.

Francisco playing singing bowls in front of two gongs
Your facilitator

Francisco, sound engineer & sound healer

Francisco has worked with sound all his life. He started his career in 2004 as a sound technician, and in 2017 he turned that deep understanding of frequency, acoustics and listening towards sound healing.

Since then he has guided sound baths for groups in retreats across Portugal, and individual and couples sessions in private settings. Every session is held with a profound intention: to nurture, to hold space, and to let each person meet their own state of balance.

For retreat leaders

A sound journey designed for your retreat

In conversation with you, the sound session is shaped around your retreat's intention, objectives and philosophy. It can open the retreat, deepen a theme, or close the circle. Francisco brings all the instruments to your venue.

Francisco playing a singing bowl over a group resting on mattresses under wooden beams at sunset
Francisco walking among resting participants with a singing bowl
  1. ≈ 10 min · Arriving

    Introduction & preparation

    An oral introduction to the group, then everyone lies down in a very comfortable position. Voice-guided breathing, visualization, body scan and other sonic tools prepare the body for full relaxation and support the transition inward.

  2. ≈ 20 min · Resonance

    Entering the sound

    The instruments begin to evolve and enter into resonance. Brain waves become more coherent, slower and deeper: a reset and calibration of the nervous system, where profound rest can take place.

  3. ≈ 60 min · The journey

    Deepening

    The sonic field changes into a universe of textures that takes the journey even deeper, so each person can experience their own bliss and insight.

  4. ≈ 15 min · Returning

    A gentle return

    Soft tones and voice create an atmosphere that holds and grounds, with guided instructions for a smooth return to the present moment.

  5. ≈ 15 min · Closing

    Connection & sharing

    Sitting comfortably, there is eye contact and connection with each person to check how they are. Feedback, questions and sharing are welcome, but never essential. It all depends on the mood of the group.

Tailored to your retreat

Yoga, meditation, breathwork, women's circles, corporate wellbeing, detox or creative retreats. Tell Francisco about your group and he will design the session around it.

Enquire for your retreat
What people experience

Benefits of a group sound bath

i.

Less stress & anxiety

Sound helps calm the mind and the body, inviting the nervous system to let go.

ii.

Better sleep

Deep relaxation can support healthier sleep rhythms and a more restful night.

iii.

Relief from tension

Vibration and stillness can soften the perception of pain and release held tension.

iv.

Clarity & focus

A quieter mind afterwards often brings sharper attention and concentration.

v.

Emotional balance

Space to feel, release and return to a sense of emotional stability.

vi.

Mental wellbeing

A nurturing practice that many people find supportive in times of low mood or anxiety.

Sound healing is a complementary wellbeing practice and does not replace medical or psychological treatment. If you have a health condition, epilepsy, a pacemaker or are pregnant, please mention it when booking.

Individual & couples sessions

A full-body vibrational massage

In a group bath, sound and vibration flow through the air and offer a gentle massage, even at a cellular level. In private sessions, the singing bowls are also placed directly on the body.

The vibration travels deep into the tissues, creating an intense, full-body sound massage with remarkable restorative qualities. Sessions are available for one person or for couples, in private settings or during your retreat.

Singing bowls on the bodyGongsTuning forksCrystal bowlsSolo or couples
Book a private session
Person resting on a massage table surrounded by singing bowls and a gong
Sound bath set-up in a wooden yoga shala with gongs and bowls Two mattresses facing gongs with a flower mandala Francisco holding a singing bowl
Slow down, listen deeply, and allow sound to support the natural process of balance and integration.
Opanayko
Journal

Sound, science & wellbeing

All articles
Group resting during a sound bath while Francisco plays a singing bowl 7 min read

What science says about sound healing

What happens to mood, heart rate and brain waves during a sound bath? A clear, honest look at the research on sound healing and singing bowls.

 Francisco playing Tibetan singing bowls in front of two gongs 6 min read

Singing bowl meditation: what happens in your body and mind

Why do Tibetan singing bowls relax us so deeply? The acoustics of the bowl, and what studies show about tension, heart rate and brain activity.

 Person resting on a massage table with singing bowls placed around them 6 min read

When sound becomes touch: vibroacoustics and sound massage

Sound is vibration you can feel. How singing bowls placed on the body may affect circulation, pain and the nervous system, and what early research shows.
Book · Enquire

Let's create your session

Tell us a little about what you have in mind and Francisco will reply personally, usually within 48 hours.

Prefer to talk directly?

WhatsApp+351 965 696 164 Emailpinhodealmeida@gmail.com Instagram@opanaykosoundhealing

Questions about sound healing

What is a sound bath?

A sound bath is a meditative experience where you lie down and are "bathed" in the sound and vibration of instruments such as gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and crystal bowls. The sound slows the breath and brain waves and guides the body into deep relaxation. You do not need to do anything except listen.

How do I book a sound healer for my retreat in Portugal?

Send an enquiry through the retreat form on this page, or message Francisco on WhatsApp (+351 965 696 164). Share your dates, venue, group size and the intention of your retreat, and Francisco will propose a session designed for your group.

What is the difference between a group sound bath and a private session?

In a group sound bath the vibration travels through the air while everyone rests on mats. In an individual or couples session, singing bowls are also placed directly on the body, creating a deep full-body vibrational massage.

Do I need any experience?

None at all. You simply lie down comfortably, close your eyes and receive. Francisco guides you in and out of the journey.

What should participants bring?

Comfortable, warm clothes and an open mind. For retreats, mats, bolsters, pillows and blankets help everyone settle. Let us know what your venue has.

Where do sessions take place?

Francisco travels to retreat venues across Portugal with all the instruments: gongs, singing bowls, crystal bowls, tuning forks and more. Private sessions can be arranged at a venue or at your place.

How long is a group sound bath?

The full journey lasts around two hours, including introduction and closing. Shorter formats can be adapted to your retreat programme.

What does Opanayko mean?

Opanayko means to look inwards, to turn inside towards your own healing flow. It is the spirit of every session: the sound supports you, and the healing takes place within.

Is sound healing suitable for everyone?

For most people, yes. If you are pregnant, have epilepsy, a pacemaker or metal implants, or any health condition, please mention it when booking so the session can be adapted. Sound healing complements, but does not replace, medical care.