Step by Step: What Actually Happens During Your First Lucia No. 3 Light Therapy Session

Stepping into a new wellbeing space can bring up a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. If you have spent months or years carrying stress, experiencing burnout, or trying to quiet an overactive mind, the thought of trying a new therapeutic approach often comes with questions. How does it work? What will I need to do? What if I cannot relax?

When you book a hypnagogic light therapy session using the Lucia No. 3, one of the most comforting aspects is that there is no pressure on you at all. You do not need to talk about your week, analyse your thoughts, or force yourself to sit in stillness. Your nervous system is invited to settle without effort.

If you are curious about what actually happens during your first session at Lights and Somatics, here is a step by step walk through of the entire experience, from the moment you arrive to the quiet moments after the light turns off.

1. Arriving Exactly as You Are

From the moment you walk into the studio, whether we are meeting at Float Spa in Hove, Wellness 34 in Hurstpierpoint, or my private home studio in Sussex, the atmosphere is calm, soft, and unhurried.

There is no formal intake exam or lengthy interrogation. Instead, we take a few moments to sit together, enjoy a warm drink, and chat through how you are feeling. You do not need to prepare what to say or pretend to be relaxed. You are welcome to arrive exactly as you are, whether you feel tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or simply curious.

During this initial conversation, we also review safety considerations. Because the Lucia No. 3 uses patented white light combined with gentle stroboscopic frequencies, light therapy is not suitable for individuals with photosensitive conditions such as epilepsy, or for those who suffer from regular, severe migraines. Ensuring your safety and comfort is always the priority before we begin.

2. Getting Comfortable on the Massage Couch

Once we have talked through any questions you might have, you will be invited to lie down on a wide, cushioned massage couch. You remain fully clothed throughout the session, wrapped in comfortable blankets with supportive pillows positioned under your head and knees.

The Lucia No. 3 lamp is positioned a short distance above your face while you lie back. You will be asked to close your eyes, and they will stay gently closed for the entire duration of the session. The light works entirely through closed eyelids, so there is never any direct eye exposure to the bare bulb.

Many clients who find traditional meditation difficult express relief at this stage. You do not need to focus on your breathing, clear your mind, or try to control your thoughts. Your only job is to lie comfortably and let the light do the work for you.

3. The Initial Light Test

Before running a full light sequence, we always conduct a gentle, brief light test. Everyone's sensitivity to light is unique, and what feels soothing to one person might feel a little bright to another.

During the test, the light turns on briefly at a very low intensity while your eyes remain closed. I will check in with you to ask how the brightness feels. We can easily lower the intensity or adjust the angle until it feels completely pleasant and safe for you. You remain in full control throughout the entire experience, and the light can be paused or adjusted at any moment if you wish.

4. Journeying Through Your Custom Light Sequence

Once you are happy with the intensity, your custom light session begins. The Lucia No. 3 lamp emits a combination of steady white light and softly modulating frequencies through your closed eyelids.

As the light interacts with your optic nerve and pineal gland, your brain naturally begins to mirror the gentle rhythmic frequencies. This process gently shifts your brainwaves out of high-alert, busy states into deep alpha and theta brainwave states, which are the same frequencies associated with deep meditation, hypnagogic light states, and restorative sleep.

Even though your eyes are closed, you will likely see a brilliant array of kaleidoscopic visual patterns, shimmering colours, and geometric forms created entirely by your own mind's response to the light. For many people, it feels like a journey inward, a safe and beautiful space where time seems to expand and quieten.

Because the body responds directly to the light frequencies, your nervous system begins to let go of physical tension automatically. Muscles soften, breathing slows, and your physical body experiences deep somatic rest without you needing to try.

5. Dedicated Integration Time

When the light sequence gradually fades to a soft glow and turns off, the session is far from over. Moving quickly out of a state of deep relaxation back into the noisy world can feel jarring, which is why dedicated integration time is a vital part of every session at Lights and Somatics.

After the light stops, you are given quiet, uninterrupted time to remain resting on the couch. You can take as many slow, deep breaths as you need, gently moving your fingers and toes, and slowly reorienting yourself to the room.

When you feel ready, you can sit up gently. We often spend a few minutes reflecting on what you experienced, sharing notes on the visual patterns or physical sensations you noticed, or simply sitting in peaceful quiet with a glass of water.

Leaving with a Rested Mind and Body

Most clients leave their first session feeling grounded, calm, and subtly lighter, often describing a sense of mental clarity that lasts long into the evening. Many report experiencing one of the best nights of sleep they have had in months following a light therapy session.

Light therapy offers a drug free, non-invasive, and deeply restorative way to support your mental and somatic wellbeing. Whether you are seeking relief from burnout, looking to improve sleep quality, or wanting to explore deep states of meditation without the mental effort, the Lucia No. 3 provides a welcoming pathway back to balance.

If you are ready to experience what it feels like to step under the light, you can book an individual session with Lights and Somatics in Hove, Hurstpierpoint, or in the comfort of your own home. You don't need to bring anything or fix anything before you arrive. Simply lie back, close your eyes, and let yourself rest.