Finding Stillness in NYC with NEOM Wellbeing at Sage + Sound
New York is the city that never sleeps, and for most New Yorkers, that means we don’t either. On a Tuesday morning in January, NEOM Wellbeing invited guests to leave the stress behind and do something rare: stop. Hosted at Sage + Sound on the Upper East Side, the experience centered around a calming sound bath designed to help the mind reset and the body exhale.
NEOM founder Nicola Elliott believes wellness is built through “mini moments” – small rituals that fit into real life, even in the middle of a busy work week. Before the sound bath began, she spoke about what first drew her into the wellness space – back when “wellbeing” wasn’t a lifestyle category, but simply a need. More than 20 years ago, she found herself dealing with anxiety and its ripple effects: poor sleep, low energy, and that heavy feeling of being run down from the inside out (which, honestly… same). Her solution wasn’t complicated, it was about going back to basics and building small rituals that make a real difference. That same simplicity is what NEOM still prioritizes today, even as the brand has grown. Nicola explained that NEOM creates complex, 100% natural blends designed to deliver real health benefits – not just fragrance. From better sleep to less stress and anxiety, the brand’s focus is on wellbeing you can actually feel.
Nicola Elliot - Founder of NEOM Wellbeing
Walking into Sage + Sound, there’s an immediate shift in mood. The space feels calm and welcoming from the start, with soft music humming in the background, essential oils filling the air (and honestly, I wanted to buy everything in the boutique, but that’s a story for another day).
When it was time for the sound bath, we were led into a quiet, dimly lit room with diffusers softly scenting the space. Cushioned chairs were arranged in rows, almost like a classroom. At the front, the instructor sat on a large floor cushion surrounded by singing bowls in different sizes, shapes, and materials – each one seemingly waiting to add its own voice to the room.
As the space settled into silence, we put on our eye masks and closed our eyes while the instructor guided us through slow, steady breaths in and out through our noses. Then the bowls began to sing. The sounds were soft but powerful, layered tones that felt meditative, like a white-noise machine for the mind. Within minutes, my body loosened, and my shoulders started to relax. For someone who’s usually too tightly wound for meditation, it took a little effort to quiet my racing thoughts – but once I did, I could’ve stayed there for hours. I was genuinely disappointed when it ended.
In today’s oversaturated wellness world, NEOM stands out for its commitment to quality– and its transparency. After the session, I asked Nicola directly about sourcing and consistency, and she didn’t dodge the details, explaining that NEOM is constantly testing batches and adjusting based on ingredient quality, since something as simple as a crop yield can impact the final product. The formulas are 100% natural, with no additives or synthetic fragrances. Made in the UK with ingredients sourced globally, the brand feels rooted in intention – not trends.
As I stepped back onto the chaotic street, it hit me: in a city that constantly asks for more, sometimes the most powerful reset is the smallest one.
Photo Credit: Sasha Eck
