I first came across Himalayan singing bowls and their use in vibration therapy when I was travelling around Vietnam. The resort we were staying at had a sunset ceremony in their health spa, so we decided to go along. The surroundings were beautiful – a room opening up onto a veranda on the edge of a lake and the sun setting beyond. A warm tropical breeze was well on the way to melting an ice sculpture of Buddha.
In the centre of the room were two large crystal bowls that seemed ornamental on arrival, but as the ceremony progressed one of the instructors struck the edge of the bowl with a stick and a clear note rang out, followed by a building, vibrating sound as she swept the stick around the edge of the bowl.
We were fascinated, and once the ceremony was over we asked if we could try the bowls out.
What is a Singing Bowl?
Singing bowls, also known as Himalayan singing bowls or Tibetan singing bowls, are a musical instrument often used in meditation that produces a bell-like sound and vibrations that promote relaxation and healing.
There are crystal versions, like the one I first came across, but more common are metal singing bowls. These are typically composed of seven metals – gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, mercury and lead. They come with a wooden ringing stick, often covered in leather.
In Vietnam we found the singing bowl used in a meditation session, by being struck and then brought close to the ear. It was also used at the end of a massage. The vibrating bowl was placed directly on the body so the vibrations could be felt through the skin.
There is in fact no evidence to link singing bowls to Tibet or any ancient mystical use in Tibetan culture. The singing bowls common today are most likely of northern Indian or Nepalese origin.
Photo by Free To Use Sounds on Unsplash
The Instruments of Vibration Therapy
Singing bowls are just one of the instruments used in sound or vibration therapy. Others like gongs and tuning forks are also used. Musically, singing bowls are classified as a type of bell (a bell is a hollow object which has maximum vibration around an open rim). A gong on the other hand has maximum vibration towards the centre. A gong produces more powerful vibrations due to its size and structure.
The voice, especially your own one, is also a very powerful vibration tool. Singing can lift your mood. Mantras use specific sounds and tones that resonate with different parts of the body.
The Benefits of Vibration Therapy
Humans have a natural instinct for sound. We cry out when hurt. Soft music encourages us to relax, while a banging beat will get us our toes tapping.
Our cells themselves vibrate as they grow and divide. One study was able to record the audible sound of these vibrations which the researchers described as a gentle hum. However when they went to destroy the cells the sound became a high-pitched wail. Cancer-infected cells also emitted a sound, but it was described as horribly out of tune. Other mutating cells produced different sounds too, and it was found that the difference frequencies that they vibrate at can indicate the health of the cell, and potentially help identify the presence of disease.
I know that a large percentage of our body is made up of fluid from my research into hydration and aging. Our lungs are around 83% water, our muscle and kidneys 79% water, and our brain and heart 73%. In sound healing the vibrations created by sound waves enter the body and mobilise this fluid.
“Vibrations move through water in the body,” says Dr. Buathon Thienarrom, a Thai wellness practitioner who offers sound healing with singing bowls. “When this happens, it helps stimulate circulation to allow muscle relaxation and improve lymphatic flow.” This particular type of vibration therapy has been found to reduce stress, anger, depression, and fatigue.
Hong Kong-based Crystal Bowl and Gong Master, Malbert Lee explains further, “The frequency of the sound synchronizes with the brainwaves and activates destress responses in the body.” Different frequencies resonate with different parts of the body.
My Experience of a Gong Bath
When a friend suggested I join her for a gong bath, I quickly decided that I would make this my second new experience in my 2020 New Year’s resolution.
Entering the yoga studio I found a large gong hanging from a frame. The session started with some chanting, which was not quite my thing, but then we lay down with a comfortable pillow and relaxed. The gong was played softly at first and then built to a level of sound that was like being caught in a storm, as it swirled around me. A thought that crossed my mind was that it would be good music for a horror movie, but in line with meditative practice I let this thought go.
I started to concentrate more on where in my body I could feel the vibrations. At one point I could hear static in just one ear, like the buzz of an untuned radio. I’m not sure if there was some fluid in the ear canal that had caused it, because I wasn’t aware of my ears being congested and it was just in one ear not both.
After the session I asked the instructor to explain a little about the gong bath. She told me that different parts of the gong were tuned to resonate with different parts of the body. The lowest section targeted the abdomen, the centre the heart and the top part the head. I could definitely feel the vibrations in different parts of my body, like when my ear was buzzing, so I did respond to the different sounds generated by the gong.
How well the vibrations synchronised with my body on a cellular level is hard to say, and a one-off visit is probably not going to bring about any radical changes in that respect.
I can say that the gong bath was a truly relaxing experience. The sound was so all-encompassing that it cleared your mind of other thoughts, and if you are not into someone talking you through meditation, a gong bath is a good option. Any release of stress in our hectic lives has to be worth taking time out for.
A Final Word
If this all sounds a bit new age for you, that’s fine, but there is one other use of singing bowls that you might prefer. Fill a singing bowl with red wine and set it vibrating, and the fluid will jump around in the bowl. It’s the perfect way to aerate your wine!
References
Stephanie Rosenbloom: What’s the Buzz? Sound Therapy
Tenzin Dheden: Tibetan singing bowls’ are not Tibetan. Sincerely, a Tibetan person
Wikipedia: Standing Bell
Dr Liam Hurst: Your cells are alive with the sound of music
Healthline: What Is the Average (and Ideal) Percentage of Water in Your Body?
Gayatri Bhaumik: Sound Healing – How it Works and its Health Benefits
Mindworks: What is Gong Meditation and How Is It Practiced?
Heather Ogden-Handa
Good to meet you! I’m a marketer and writer interested in aging and longevity. I see lots of great information out there, so I’m keen to share topics that take my interest. Over time I hope the knowledge and community around this blog will have a positive impact on the healthy lifestyles of many individuals.