Meet Maria

Sound Healer & Movement Educator

Born in Bogotá Colombia and based in Austin, Maria Vargas is a certified sound healer, breath-work practitioner, Pilates & Barre instructor, and the founder of TMPL.

With over a decade of experience in the wellness space and more than 6,000 hours facilitating movement and mindfulness practices, Maria's work is rooted in a deep understanding of the connection between body, mind, and nervous system.

Her journey into meditation began over eight years ago, eventually leading her to discover the transformative power of sound. What began as a personal practice evolved into a passion for creating intentional spaces where others could experience the profound beauty of stillness.

Blending ancient sound traditions with a contemporary approach to wellbeing, Maria founded TMPL with a simple vision: to make the sacred accessible by transforming the spaces where we live, work, and gather into portals for self expansion.

Her approach is both intuitive and intentional. Every experience is designed to engage the senses through sound, texture, ambiance, and thoughtful details—creating an environment that invites guests to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with themselves.

For Maria, wellness is more than a practice. It is a way of living, a celebration of presence, and a reminder that moments of stillness can be among life's greatest luxuries.

How Does Sound Healing Work?

Sound healing works by influencing the body’s natural rhythms and calming the nervous system through both sound and vibration. Our brain operates on electrical patterns known as brain waves, that shift depending on our mental state. Faster waves, like Beta waves, are associated with active thinking and stress, while slower waves such as Alpha and Theta waves, are linked to relaxation and meditation. When we listen to steady, soothing sounds—like singing bowls, gongs, or gentle tones—our brain can begin to synchronize with those rhythms through a process called brainwave entrainment. This doesn’t force the brain into a specific state, but rather nudges it toward calmer, more restorative patterns.

Sound healing helps regulate the autonomic nervous system particularly by activating the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response. This is therapeutic because many of us spend a significant amount of time in the sympathetic “fight or flight” state, which is associated with stress and heightened alertness.

Slow, predictable sounds gently signal safety to the brain, helping to calm our heart rate, slow our breathing, and lower our stress hormones. This calming effect is closely connected to the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in relaxation and emotional regulation.

Additionally- sound works on a physical level through vibration. Because our body is largely made up of water and soft tissue, it conducts and responds to subtle vibrations. Instruments like gongs and singing bowls create resonant frequencies that can be heard AND felt; drawing awareness into the body and away from mental overactivity. This combination of auditory and physical sensations helps quiet the mind, deepen relaxation, and increase a sense of presence.

Sound healing nurtures the body and soul, and is a harmonious tool for nervous system regulation. By combining rhythmic sound, gentle vibration, and focused attention, it supports a shift out of stress and into a state of calm, balance, and restoration.

Instruments & Sounds

Each instrument has its own unique properties and offers a distinct quality of sound, resonance, and support for the body.

  • The Planetary Gong has an all-encompassing resonance effect , creating rich, layered tones that move through the body and shift the energy of the space. Its resonance supports the release of tension, quiets mental activity, and invites the nervous system into a state of deep rest—its powerful sound vibrations can be physically felt deep within us.

  • Crystal singing bowls produce clear, sustained tones that gently guide the body into a state of calm. Each bowl is tuned to specific energetic centers, or chakras, supporting balance and alignment throughout the body.

    Their resonance is both soothing and precise—helping to quiet the mind, regulate the nervous system, and create a sense of lightness and clarity.

  • The ocean drum introduces a soft, rhythmic sound that mirrors the movement of waves—steady, cyclical, and deeply calming. Its gentle cadence helps regulate the breath and settle the nervous system, guiding the body into a natural state of relaxation.

    This grounding rhythm creates a sense of safety and ease, allowing the mind to soften and the body to unwind.

  • Koshi chimes introduce a soft, melodic layer of sound—light and fluid in nature. Their gentle tones move through the space with ease, helping to clear energetic stagnation and create a sense of openness.

    Often used as a transition within the experience, their sound invites a subtle shift—bringing lightness, presence, and a quiet sense of flow.

  • The rainstick creates a soft, cascading sound that is evocative of steady rainfall. Its delicate rhythm helps quiet the mind and draw awareness inward, supporting a meditative state.

    Often used as a transition, its sound carries a sense of release and renewal—inviting the body to soften and the breath to slow.

  • The 9 bar chime offers clear, resonant tones that gently cut through mental noise and bring the mind back to the present moment. Its bright, harmonious sound creates a subtle shift in awareness—often used to mark transitions or invite renewed focus.

    This clarity supports a sense of grounding and attentiveness, helping you return to the moment with ease.

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