A Lifetime in Sound
Meets a Passion for Healing.
My name is Michael Macdermid. For three decades, I've worked as a musician, composer, and audio engineer, deeply understanding how sound moves, interacts, and affects us on a physical level.
My career has been dedicated to one question:
how does sound create an experience?
At Selkie Tides, I bridge that technical expertise with studies in psychology and sound healing theory. This isn't just a playlist of relaxing sounds. It's a deliberate, expertly-tuned environment. I use the principles of physics and music to craft sessions that are not only beautiful but physiologically effective, helping to calm the nervous system and create a gateway to your own essential truths.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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You’ll enter a space of gentle resonance: the facilitator rings or rim-rides the bowls, creating vibrations that ripple through the room and the body. You may lie down or sit comfortably, close your eyes if you like, and surrender to the tones. As the sound waves wash through you, they may invite shifts in awareness, subtle release, or deeper calm.
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While everyone’s experience is unique, many report:
A drop in tension and stress, and a sense of peace or stillness.
Improved clarity of mind or easier access to restful states such as deeper sleep.
Subtle shifts in balance and relaxation, as the nervous system finds a steadier rhythm.
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When a singing bowl is played, it generates harmonic overtones and rich vibrations. These sound waves may guide brainwave activity toward relaxed states (theta/alpha). In simple terms: the body and mind “listen,” and the vibration helps the system settle into coherence and calm.
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No. You don’t need to hold any specific belief or adopt “new-age” language. The experience is offered as a rest-space, a field of vibration, and an invitation to awareness.
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Generally the modality is gentle, but there are some important considerations:
If you experience seizures or epilepsy, the vibration may require caution.
If you have implants (pacemaker, defibrillator) or metals in the body, or are very early in pregnancy, please consult your medical practitioner.
Always listen to your body: if you feel uneasy, light-headed, or overwhelmed, you may pause or leave the session quietly.
It’s not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment; it complements—but does not replace—care.
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Wear comfortable clothing; aim to arrive a little early so you can settle before the tones begin.
You may bring a yoga-mat, cushion or blanket if you prefer lying down; some studios provide these.
Avoid heavy fragrances or strong scents.
Stay hydrated before and after.
Journal or reflect afterwards if you wish—many find that insights continue to unfold quietly.
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Experiences vary widely. You might feel heaviness, lightness, warmth, tingling, or a simple and steady quiet. Thoughts, memories or emotions may arise; these are part of your own process of re-settling. The invitation is not to analyse them, but to allow them to move and soften—from sound to stillness, from stillness to self.
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This depends on your intention and capacity. For many, once a month is a restful “reset.” For others seeking deeper integration or transition, more frequent sessions may assist. Over time, the sound becomes a familiar mirror of your own stillness.

