Singing bowls, also known as Himalayan bowls, are ancient musical instruments that have been used for centuries for meditation, relaxation, and healing.
Not only are these beautiful bowls made from a special type of metal alloy and known for their unique, soothing tones, but they also happen to complement yoga lifestyle quite nicely.
Singing bowls are believed to have originated in the Himalayan region of Asia, where they were used by Buddhist monks in their spiritual practices.
The bowls are struck with a mallet, causing them to produce a rich, resonant sound that is said to have a calming effect on the mind and body.
Yoga, ayurvedic meal preparation, and the power of natural healing can have similar effects on the mind and body. I love teaching classes covering these topics and more, specifically the yoga classes, focused on hatha, vinyasa and kundalini yoga where singing bowls are also used.
In recent years, singing bowls have gained popularity as a tool for stress relief and relaxation, being used in meditation, yoga, and other forms of relaxation therapy.
The unique resonance of the bowls is believed to help quiet the mind, relax the body, and promote a sense of inner peace.
Recently, I held one of my singing bowl events to help people find that inner peace for themselves. It was a peaceful fall night, where we served ayurvedic, organic food and beverages and induced our mind-body connection.
Me and a group of 20 others practiced yoga and held a live singing bowl meditation as the sun set. I always enjoy holding these live, in-person events because there is a palpable sense of oneness between everybody in attendance as we strive to find our collective inner peace!
To use one of these bowls, you hold it in the palm of your hand and strike its side with a mallet.
This will produce a ringing sound but, what is unique about singing bowls is that, this ringing noise can be sustained by gently rubbing the mallet around the rim of the bowl.
Depending on the speed the mallet moves and the pressure applied to the bowl, the sound changes. You can hear the beautiful sounds of a singing bowl in action in this video from my recent singing bowl event!
In addition to their use in relaxation and meditation, singing bowls are also used in sound therapy- a form of alternative medicine that uses sound to promote physical and emotional well-being. This is precisely why I enjoy using these bowls with my students, because I want them to walk away from all of my classes in optimal health- physically, mentally, and emotionally!
By listening to the soothing sounds of singing bowls, many people feel a sense of calm and relaxation, as well as reduced stress and anxiety.
And in a world that increasingly has started to equate those feelings of stress and anxiety with productivity, I believe that feeling that sense of calm and relaxation is one of the most important things we could do for ourselves.
Overall, singing bowls are a unique and powerful tool for relaxation and stress relief. Their dulcet tones can help calm the mind and promote a sense of inner peace.
Whether you’re using them in your meditation practice, yoga, or sound therapy, singing bowls are a sensational addition to any mindfulness routine.