We were lucky to catch up with Lynette Toma recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

When I opened my sound healing studio, it wasn’t during a time of certainty or stability—it was during the middle of COVID.

The world felt shut down. Businesses were closing their doors, people were isolating, and there was so much fear about what was safe and what wasn’t. Common sense would have said, “Wait. This isn’t the time.” But something inside me said otherwise.

For years, I had been working with sound healing, meditation, and wellness, and I had seen how deeply people needed it—not just in moments of peace, but especially in times of crisis. The pandemic heightened stress, loneliness, and nervous system dysregulation. I kept thinking: if there’s ever a time people need healing practices, it’s now.

Still, the risk was huge. I didn’t know if anyone would actually come. Would people feel safe enough to gather? Would I even be able to keep the doors open financially? I invested my own savings, signed the lease, and committed to a vision I wasn’t sure the world was ready for.

Opening day was quiet, but magical. People arrived with a mix of hesitation and longing. As the bowls began to sing, I saw their shoulders drop, their breath soften, and tears come to their eyes. In that moment, I knew the risk was worth it.

The studio became more than just a business—it became a refuge. Over time, it grew into a community space where people could breathe, release, and reconnect, even when so much around us felt uncertain. Looking back, it was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken, but also one of the most rewarding.

That leap taught me that sometimes the riskiest choice is also the most aligned one. If I had waited for the “right” time, I might still be waiting. Instead, I trusted my intuition, and it opened the door to a path I’m grateful to walk every single day.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Lynette Toma, and I’m the founder of Pure Sound Bath, a boutique sound healing studio in Redondo Beach, California. I’ve been a sound healing practitioner for over six years, but my journey into this work began much earlier. I started my career as a Speech Therapist, which gave me a deep appreciation for the power of the human voice, vibration, and connection. Over time, I became fascinated with how sound could be used not only for communication, but also for healing the nervous system, restoring balance, and creating transformation.

That curiosity led me to train extensively in sound healing, meditation, Reiki, breathwork, and somatic practices. Eventually, I combined these disciplines to create experiences that are not just relaxing, but therapeutic on a deeper level.

At Pure Sound Bath, I offer both group and individual sound baths for adults and children, along with workshops, teacher trainings, and corporate wellness programs. My services are designed to help people reduce stress, regulate their nervous systems, release stored tension, and reconnect with themselves. I also create customized sessions for schools, retreats, and organizations that want to support mental and emotional well-being in their communities.

What sets me apart is the way I weave together my background in therapy with holistic practices. I don’t see sound healing as “just” a meditation experience—it’s a tool for nervous system regulation and emotional healing. I hold space in a way that’s trauma-informed, heart-centered, and inclusive, making people feel both safe and deeply cared for.

I’m most proud of the community that has grown around my work. During COVID, when everything felt uncertain, I took the risk of opening my own studio. It became a sanctuary for people to breathe, release, and find connection when they needed it most. Seeing the impact it has had—whether it’s a child who sleeps better after a session, or a corporate team leaving with a sense of clarity and calm—reminds me why I do this work.

For anyone learning about me for the first time, I want you to know that Pure Sound Bath isn’t just about sound—it’s about healing, empowerment, and creating space for people to remember who they are beneath the noise of everyday life. My mission is to make these practices accessible, whether through intimate studio sessions, large-scale corporate events, or school-based programs.

Ultimately, my brand is built on the belief that when we heal ourselves, we create ripples that heal the world.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the biggest tests of my resilience came recently, when I was forced to close the doors of my sound healing studio. After pouring years of energy, love, and intention into creating a sacred space for healing, the building changed ownership and I had no choice but to move out. It felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me—this studio had been my dream, and it was also a home for the community I had built.

At first, I grieved. I had created something so special, and suddenly, it was gone. But after sitting with the loss, I realized that the heart of my work was never tied to four walls—it was in the way people felt during a session, the community that had formed, and the healing that happened wherever the sound bowls sang.

Instead of giving up, I decided to expand. Now, I bring sound baths all over the South Bay—on the beach, in yoga studios, at retreats, in schools, and in corporate settings. What began as a painful ending has actually opened up new possibilities. I’ve been able to reach more people, create unique experiences in different environments, and meet my community where they are.

That experience reminded me that resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges—it’s about transforming them into opportunities. Losing the studio taught me flexibility, trust, and the ability to grow beyond what I thought was possible. Today, I feel more connected to my purpose than ever before

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success only looks a certain way—that it’s tied to stability, money, or having everything figured out.

Growing up, I always pushed myself to achieve and to do things “the right way.” Even as I stepped into sound healing, part of me still carried that old conditioning: that my work had to look polished, structured, and secure for it to be valid. When I opened my studio, I thought I had finally “made it”—I had a beautiful space, full classes, and a clear vision of what success should look like.

Then the unexpected happened: the building changed ownership, and I was forced to close. At first, I felt like I had failed. All of that hard work, all of the energy I poured in—it seemed like it was lost. But what I came to realize is that the studio was never the success—I was. The healing, the community, the ability to adapt and keep sharing my work—that’s what mattered most.

Unlearning that narrow definition of success freed me. Now, I see success as alignment, flow, and the courage to stay true to my purpose even when circumstances shift. That shift in perspective has allowed me to grow in ways I couldn’t have if I had clung to the old story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.puresoundbath.com
• Instagram: @pureoundbath
• Yelp: Pure Sound Bath
• Soundcloud: Pure sound bath
• Other: Find me on Spotify
  Pure sound bath

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