What is Tibetan Singing Bowl and How It's Working?

Tibetan singing bowls are a type of bell that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone when played. Also known as singing bowls or Himalayan bowls, Tibetan singing bowls are said to promote relaxation and offer powerful healing properties. Tibetan singing bowls in meditation practice.

In addition, some wellness practitioners (including music therapists, massage therapists, and yoga therapists) use Tibetan singing bowls during treatment.

How Tibetan Singing Bowl Works?

There are a few different theories that have been proposed to explain why Tibetan singing bowls might be beneficial. Such theories suggest that:

• The vibrations that the bowls produce may affect the mind and body.
• The sounds the bowls create may impact brain waves in order to induce relaxation.
• They may induce the same psychological effects and benefits as listening to music.

Some of the possible uses for singing bowl therapy include:

Stress relief, Improving sleep, Lowering blood pressure, Reducing depression, Stimulating the immune system, Pain relief, Balancing and harmonizing the body, Enhancing other healing practices.

How to Use Tibetan Singing Bowls?

To create sound with a singing bowl, firmly press the accompanying mallet in a circular motion against the bowl’s outside edge or rim. When you hear a bright, clear tone, you can slow down the motion. Use your full arm to make the motion, rather than just rotating your wrist.

You can also make the same circular motion against the outside belly of the bowl. Additionally, you can gently stroke the bowl before beginning the circular motion.

How to Use Sound Healing in Your Life

There are a handful of ways to use sound therapy for your own personal healing. The most popular techniques that are being used today are:

1) Singing Bowls & Bells
Whether made out of Tibetan metal or quartz crystal, singing bowls make a soothing ringing sound when a felt-tipped mallet is rubbed around the edge. Rhythms can also be produced by striking the edge of the bowls and bells. The vibrations and tones that are emitted can slow down breathing, brain waves, and heart rates. This produces a deep sense of calm and well-being.

2) Gong Bath
A gong bath is an ancient Asian sound healing technique in which the participant is surrounded by gongs that are struck. Gong baths feel like massages because they vibrate all of the water within the body, which produces an amazing sense of well-being.

3) Om Chanting
The sacred, familiar “aum” is known as the mother tone, which comprises the frequencies of all other sounds. Repetitive chanting of this tone is the first step to meditation. Research shows that chanting can stabilize heart rate, lower blood pressure, produce endorphins, help the mind focus, and alleviate stress levels.

4) Humming
This simple sound greatly affects our emotion. It can keep us healthy by reducing stress, enhancing sleep, and producing happy chemicals in the brain such as oxytocin. It can also improve airflow between the sinuses and the nasal cavity, which helps circulate oxygen throughout the body, and can protect the health of sinuses.

5) Classical and Soothing Music
Classical and soothing music can be used to enhance learning and creativity, for pregnancy and child development, and to help alleviate high blood pressure and muscle tension.

6) Kirtan
Kirtan is a form of music that narrates, recites, tells, and describes an idea of a story. In a kirtan practice, a leader sings the mantra and the audience sings it back. Through this exchange, the audience is able to connect with each other. Kirtan allows for meditation, free expression, giving and receiving, and safe vulnerability. These abilities lead to inner healing.

Our bodies, minds, and spirits always want to be in a state of balance, yet outer stimuli and noises can distract and prevent us from maintaining a state of harmony. Sound has the power to bring us to the source of the inner peace we all desire.

The Dos And Don’ts Of Playing A Singing Bowl

New to singing bowls? Haven’t gotten around to playing lately? Help is here for those who need a refresher course and a nudge in the right direction. Read our quick rundown of eight singing bowl tips.

DO begin with intention

We love how perfectly sized our Tibetan singing bowls are for portability. It’s easy to whip it out for a grounding, centering moment in the middle of a hectic day. But it’s just as important to take the time to settle into some singing bowl sessions. Especially if you’re just beginning or want to play for a longer stretch of time.

Move to a quiet area and select a comfortable upright posture. Close your eyes, take a few deep belly breaths, and fully arrive at the present moment.

DO try different techniques

Everyone at Silent Mind has a “default” way of playing. Some strike their bowls a lot, some quick play the rim clockwise, others slowly play the rim counterclockwise. Having a preference, or way of playing that feels natural, is great. Still, mix it up at times and try other techniques for playing. You’ll be amazed at your bowl’s range.

DO stay close to the rim

Pay attention to where your arm is positioned before it meets the bowl. It’s best to keep it relaxed, down, held close to the side/rim of the bowl. Beginning by holding it far above the bowl or stretched out to the side to swing in might lead to rattling or inconsistent sounds.

DO take proper care of your bowl

The daily environment and general long-term conditions a bowl is kept in will impact the sound. You should keep your bowl free of dust and prolonged moisture, and use only pure lemon juice and water to cleanse it. Brush up on our top ten tips for keeping your singing bowl beautiful for ages.

DON’T let your fingers touch the sides

Dull sounds that don’t resonate? Make sure you’re not touching the sides of the bowl as you play. Even though you’re not striking that area, the sound comes from the entire bowl. It needs to remain free and clear of fingers in order to generate those good vibrations.

DON’T lose your cushion

When we sit in meditation, we let our head balance or float effortlessly on top of an aligned spine. Think of your cushion as a spine for your singing bowl. Ours aren’t just decorative; they are designed to perfectly balance a singing bowl in the palm of your hand. This also helps moderate how rough we are with our instrument.

DON’T grip your striker too tightly

Speaking of rough, avoid tensing up as you grip your striker. A tight grip makes it more difficult to sustain the song as you play the rim. Plus, it’s not very relaxing. Unlike some other instruments, we do not need to hold tension anywhere in the body to play a singing bowl.

DON’T forget to practice

People love how easy it is to play singing bowls. But we understand that not everyone will take to it like a duck to water. There’s no shame in having to practice with your singing bowl. It helps refine technique and locate the best possible sound of each unique bowl.