How it feels – When surrounded by the sound of Himalayan singing bowls, it is easy to slip into a dream-like meditative state to experience the lovely and warm harmonic vibrations. In this state, the body heals itself and inspiration comes into the right brain. It is unbelievable and must be experienced.
How they work
Singing bowls are often called “seated gongs” because they have very similar properties and metals as do hanging gongs. They make beautiful harmonic tones when struck gently with felt-covered sticks, or when sung by rubbing the bowl’s rim in a circular motion. Crystal singing bowls are also lovely, but do not have the harmonics created by the many metals in Himalayan bowls.
Bowls do not have the loud volume possible with gongs so are generally used for individual sound therapy sessions. Bowls are placed around and on a client’s body. First they are played softly to help induce a meditative state, easing the client from a waking beta brainwave state (12 to 30 Hz.) to a slower alpha (8 to 12 Hz) and finally into a theta wave state (6-10 Hz.). Theta brainwaves occur during REM sleep and that is when it is easiest for the body to repair cells and other things out of balance. Once in this state, the healing harmonic vibrations can assist the body in healing.
What it does
Himalayan bowls and gongs produce similar effects of assisting emotional and physical balance, and opening the right brain to inspiration from beyond the finite self. They are simply beautiful to hear and feel, with their fluttering harmonics and deep vibrating tones.
Ancient bowls
Ancient bowls are used, not the newly manufactured brass bowls. Old bowls contain different metal alloys, and those with red copper (Li) are believed to have special healing properties. Bowls that are over 100 years old have been handled by many people and have imperfections that make the sound even richer.
If you’d like an individual session using Himalayan bowls, or a combination of bowls and the gong, contact Judy.
Where to buy bowls
Try Melanie at NOTEable Bowls. Her prices are great for ancient bowls, and she sends them immediately. You can hear the bowls online or call her and she’ll play them for you. Tell her Judy Strauss sent you.