"I could sense my energy change as I absorbed the sound of the bowls. I felt lighter, happier and my mind was both calmer and clearer."
AS AN ANCIENT PRACTICE TO HELP CALM THE MIND AND RELAX THE BODY, SINGING BOWLS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR IN SOUND HEALING SESSIONS.
H I S T O R Y
The history of the singing bowls is a wonderful mystery and there are some divided opinions on it. On one hand, some believe that they date back over 2000 years and are linked to the teaching and healing of Buddha. Others link their origins to more recent times and their relation to standing or resting bells that have a history across many countries including India, Tibet, China, and Japan.
Traditional singing bowls are handcrafted and two of the most common methods of making the bowls are either through molding or hammering. Typically the bowls are made up
of seven different metals and vary in size. These bowls are generally used to help the body
relax and the mind reaches a higher meditative state.
Each bowl has its own unique sound and vibration that resonates in our body when played and it is this combination of sounds and vibrations that form the key elements of a sound bath or sound healing.
"WATER IS A GREAT
CONDUCTOR FOR
SOUND WHICH
IS WHY SOUND
HEALING CAN HAVE
SUCH AN EFFECT ON
OUR BODY"
P R A C T I C E
Sound Healing can be practiced by using a range of instruments, including traditional Singing Bowls, Crystal Singing Bowls, Gongs, and tuning forks. You may or may not know that the human body is made up of around 75% water. Water is a great conductor for sound which is why sound healing can have such an effect on our body, and therefore our minds, leaving us feeling light, calm, relaxed, and often more at peace. An average class will last up to 1 hour and aims to help remove energy blockages within the chakras. They may be conducted in group or individual classes.
In an individual class, the bowls will be placed in certain positions around the body to enhance the sounds and vibrations felt. Typically, there are 7 singing bowls that are tuned for each chakra, played through strikes with a variety of bespoke mallets.
Additionally, when the mallet is circled around the rim of the bowl it produces a beautiful
sound, making the bowl “sing”. Each bowl is aligned to an energy center, and each of these energy centers corresponds to a certain area of our body. Advocates of Sound Healing point
to its ability to help lower stress levels, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. For me, I can truly
say this has been the case. Having previously spent 18 years in the corporate world, I’ve had
my fair share of stressful times and anxious moments and often found it hard to quieten my
mind. Having first experienced singing bowls while laying in Shavasana, I would encourage
anyone who has had their interest piqued by this article to dive in and experience it for
themselves.
Happy healing!
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