Close your eyes and imagine the soft hum of crystal singing bowls, the deep resonance of Tibetan bowls, and a room designed to help Charlotteans slow down.

Casa Gaia, a new wellness studio dedicated to sound healing, opens Saturday, Aug. 1, to make the ancient practice more accessible — and build a community around it.

Casa Gaia is opening in the former Pranayama House, a space Owner Sofia Paloma dreamed of one day calling her own. "I took several yoga classes here, and I remember looking up and thinking, 'If I could find this place like this, it would work," Paloma told CLTtoday.

Soon after, that dream became a reality.

"As soon as we walked in here, I was like, 'Yes, this is it.' I was able to manifest it," said Paloma.

A large room with Moroccan-inspired floor cushions, tapestries hanging from the ceiling, and three hanging chandeliers. — Casa Gaia will be able to welcome 25-30 people per class. | Photo by CLTtoday

A partial amputee and first-generation Mexican American, Paloma discovered sound healing during her own health journey and now calls it her life's work.

"I went to my first sound bath at a [music] festival, and it was just incredible," shared Paloma. "It helped me become who I am today, and it really healed me in a lot of ways. The frequencies interact with our nervous system and our physical body in a way that really helps us get out of the state of fight or flight."

At Casa Gaia, visitors can sign up for sound baths — where participants lie comfortably as vibrations from singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and other instruments fill the room. The studio will also offer yoga, Pilates, meditation, breathwork, and special events designed to help people connect.

An open house is planned for Saturday, Aug. 1 — walk-ins are welcome — and will feature studio tours, mini wellness experiences, local vendors, and opportunities to meet instructors. Regular programming will begin shortly after for all experience levels. Psst... Sunday's class is selling out fast, so grab a membership.