Sound Therapy
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Singing Bowls
Made from an alloy of various metals, singing bowls are a type of bell
that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone when played. Tibetan singing bowls calm the mind by entraining the brain’s impulse to mimic vibrations we experience when in meditation or relaxation.
Integrating the use of singing bowls helps enhance deep relaxation, ease physical and mental pain, relieve stress, anxiety and release blockages in the mind – in turn boost your overall well being.
What Is Sound Therapy
Everything we sense and feel, see and touch is pure Energy. The basic principle of sound therapy is the application of Healing frequencies to the physical, mental and psychological energy fields.
During a Sound Bath or an individual Sound Therapy session, you are taken on a asonic meditative journey.
It provokes a deep state of relaxation, almost making you feel a million miles away from your reality, where the healing of pain and negative energies becomes much easier. In other words, it’s a practice that uses vibrations to relax your mind, body and soul. Because of your expanded vibrations during a sound journey, the therapeutic frequencies delivered from the Singing bowls, Gongs and Tuning Forks can help alleviate many physical ailments, cleanse unwanted emotions, resolve, release, mental blocks, emotional issues and also aid in spiritual growth.
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Benefits Of Sound Therapy
There's evidence to suggest that sound healing can have a wide range of wellness benefits. The ways that your body reacts to certain sounds and vibrations can have a positive impact and treat various conditions like stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and pain.
About Sound Baths
Sound vibrates the body, stirs emotions, energizes the mind and heals the soul. Whether our conscious mind is paying attention or not, our body takes cue from the sounds around us, and has a powerful effect on how we feel. During a Sound Bath or an individual Sound Therapy session, you are taken on a sonic meditative journey. There’s no water involved here, rather we are ‘bathed’ in sound and immersed in a range of vibrations which balance the body and soothe the mind.
It provokes a deep state of relaxation, almost making you feel a million miles away from your reality, where the healing of pain and negative energies becomes much easier.
Whether you visit a studio or attend an online session, a sound bath helps pave the way for change by clearing the mind from cluttered thoughts, shakes off any stuck emotions, improves sleep, and restores energy fields by releasing tension or stress and helps find life’s true purpose. Soak and bathe in relaxing, meditative and transformative sounds, feeling, stress and pain wash away, as peace and harmony come singing back to you.
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About Gong Baths
Bathe in Meditative Sound Waves.
A Gong bath is an ancient type of sound therapy that’s been practiced for thousands of years. The term ‘bath’ signifies being bathed in sound waves and vibrations caused by the Gong being struck. Fully clothed, you lay comfortably on a mat and there’s no water or touching involved.
The practitioner will strike and play the Gong to create therapeutic sound waves that reverberate across the room. These sounds don’t just enter through your ears – the vibrations go through your whole body, (even if your ears are not consciously listening to it)and stimulate you inside out. In other words, you are “cocooned and wrapped in a Sonic Immersion”. Scientific evidence suggests that it declutters the mind, clears emotional blockages and apparently helps to heal physical aches and pains. Beyond just promoting vitality and healing, they enhance happiness.
I was alone in my office working hard on a marketing campaign to launch my new coaching business when I collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony.
I had never felt pain like it before... and all I could do was moan loudly, clutching my belly.
Fortunately some people were passing by outside on the pavement. The door was open, so they came in and called a doctor. The surgery was nearby and one came over to see me straight away.
He took a couple of minutes to check me out, and immediately phoned for an ambulance. I was given gas and air and rushed to hospital.
After a series of tests and x-rays, I was told that they suspected I had TWISTED BOWL. They were taking this seriously as I heard them talking about getting me into the operating theater for surgery.
If you don't know what Twisted Bowl is, please read the description below taken from md-health.com
"Twisted bowel is caused when the natural shape of the intestines has changed or a section of the intestines overlap. Diagnosing twisted bowels quickly is essential, as leaving this condition unchecked can cause damage that may lead to infection or death."
OK - so I could die from this...
That wasn't really on my agenda at the time. I was only 46.
Later I heard stories of people and animals, such as horses, that have died from twisted bowels and realized that I was very fortunate not to be one of them.
As it happened I didn't have any surgery or medication...
You might call it divine intervention... or maybe it was a whisper from an Angel... or I heard an inner voice saying...
"You don't need to go through with this operation. You can deal with this twisted bowel thing on your own."
And then the words came to me:
"Love What You Do. Make A Difference. Help Others With Healing Sounds"
So there I was lying on a trolley, still writhing in agony... trying to make sense of all this, and then I remembered what I'd been taught years before...
"Surround yourself with a warm vibrant pink light energy of healing and unconditional love
Breathe in and out in long, slow, deep breaths
Visualize the warm, vibrant pink light energy streaming in through your crown chakra into your heart
Allow the feeling of love and compassion for yourself to grow in your heart
Visualize yourself fit and well, living a happy life.
Allow the feelings of love, the warm pink vibrant light energy and your visualization of a happy, healthy life to radiate out from your heart into every aspect of your being as you release a deep groan (that part was easy under the circumstances)
Surrender and let go into mindful present moment awareness... "
So that's what I did, lying there in the busy Accident and Emergency room (as they call it here in the UK).
And, do you know what? After just a few short minutes, the pain started subsiding. And after another few minutes it disappeared altogether.
WOW! There was no need for the operation. The Bowl Untwisted naturally... Amazing!
To cut a long story short, they kept me in overnight to keep an eye on me, and the next morning I walked out.
So what did I learn from this?
Firstly, I had allowed myself to get way too stressed in launching a new coaching business, alongside everything else that was going on in my life at the time. I've no doubt that the stress was a major factor in causing my Twisted Bowel. I wasn't enjoying the way I was going about the coaching. It was all much too cerebral, left brained and ungrounded. Unbalanced.
Second, I discovered in my own experience how powerful these techniques can be for healing: deep breathing, activating feelings of unconditional love, setting a positive intention, releasing vocal tones and surrendering into the NOW. I was given a formula for healing that I now share with others, and I love seeing the positive outcomes that emerge.
Thirdly I realized that I had to make major changes in my life and work. I let go of the need and drive to be a successful coach and therapist. I let other things come into the space... Integral Transformative Practice... Singing in a community choir... More time to play and have fun.
From where I am now, I can see that the Twisted Bowel was my wake-up call. I could have died. Instead, I respected the wisdom of my Higher Self and stepped into a new way of being.
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And I'm happy.
I love what I do. I make a difference. I help others with Healing Sounds.
Have you had a wake up call? Share your story, thoughts and feelings with us.
Have you ever wondered how singing bowls work? In this post, we answer that question by discussing the science of singing bowls. Read on to learn how these incredible creations produced their incredible sounds. We also explain how singing bowls can be used with water to change their sounds as well as discuss the physical effects of playing singing bowls.
While the enthralling sounds of singing bowls might calm you, they might also spark the question, “how exactly do they work?” Like all musical instruments, Tibetan singing bowls rely on friction and vibration to create the sound we hear. What makes singing bowls so special are the different sounds that can be created by them depending on their qualities and the various circumstances and conditions in which they may be played.
Scientists and musicians alike have recently become interested in the singing bowl and the manner in which it creates sound. The science behind the sounds of singing bowls is quite simple and can best be compared to playing wine glasses filled with water. However, the science behind the healing properties of singing bowls is not quite as familiar or established.
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In this article we discuss:
How do singing bowls work?
How can singing bowls be used with water?
What are the physical effects of singing bowls?
How Do Singing Bowls Work?
To play a singing bowl, one must either strike the bowl or rub the rim with a mallet. The action taken with the mallet is the first step in creating sound with a singing bowl. As explained by Science Made Simple UK, the friction created either by rubbing or striking a singing bowl creates vibrations. These vibrations create the sound we hear and can feel when holding the singing bowl. As you continue to rub the rim of the bowl, the friction keeps the sound going. This is called resonance. Resonance is the note we hear even after the player ceases contact between the singing bowl and the mallet.
To make matters a bit more complicated, the note we hear can differ between singing bowls and mallets. Most singing bowls are made from a bronze alloy of either copper, tin, zinc, iron, silver, gold, or nickel. The material with which the singing bowl is made can change the sound, as can the mallet. Crystal bowls will not sound the same as bronze alloy bowls. Wooden mallets and padded mallets will produce different sounds as well. The size, shape and weight of the singing bowl can also affect what tones are produced. Adding water will change the note of the singing bowl as water is more difficult to vibrate than the air inside an empty singing bowl. Cushions, rings, or other accessories also alter the sound of singing bowls, often dampening or softening the sounds. Despite these differences, how singing bowls work can be boiled down to a simple idea: excitation of the rim causes the singing bowl to vibrate, creating a rich tone.
Singing Bowls and Water
Many of the studies revealing the inner workings of singing bowls focus on singing bowls filled with water. In particular, there are multiple studies devoted to observing the way water is excited when playing a singing bowl. Two studies, one done by Octávio Inácio et al. called “The Dynamics of Tibetan Singing Bowls,” and another by Denis Terwage and John Bush called “Tibetan Singing Bowls,” have studied just that. These groups observed singing bowls filled with water being played with slow motion video and sound recording. In turn, their studies were summarized in a BBC article by Jason Palmer.
They found that as the singing bowl is played, the rim begins to change shape, switching back and forth between slightly oval shapes. The energy of the bowl transfers to the water. The energy charged water creates waves, which create droplets of water that bounce and skip on the surface. This phenomenon is known as Faraday waves. These studies have much larger implications than just acoustic music or sound meditation and healing--the study of the singing bowl’s Faraday waves can actually be applied to processes such as fuel injection.
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Adding water changes the frequency of the singing bowl. The addition of water often lowers and creates a deeper, longer-lasting resonance. Incorporating water filled singing bowls can create additional tones used for meditation or sound therapy, but it can also be an example of an interesting science experiment. How singing bowls work is based on scientific studies and physics. On the other hand, the effects of singing bowls on our bodies and well-being is on less solid scientific ground but should be discussed nonetheless.
What are the Physical Effects of Singing Bowls?
Researching the scientific physical effects of singing bowls has yielded lots of contradictory evidence. Overall, most publications focus on the beneficial side effects of using a singing bowl in sound therapy rather than scientific proven fact that singing bowls can heal a variety of ailments. In fact, has said that there are no “scientific published peer reviewed papers” that support the claims that sound therapy “unblocks or redirects energy in the body” or that the vibrations produced work in tandem with humans’ own vibrational frequencies.
Despite Professor Kyriakakis’s statements, positive testimonials from other professionals and practitioners is overwhelming. One of the biggest proponents of using singing bowls for healing was Mitchell Gaynor, an oncologist and professor at Weill Cornell Medical College. Gaynor, who began working with singing bowls in the 1990s, championed the use of sound healing in addition to conventional treatment and medicine. The reason for this, Gaynor argued, was that sound therapy eased the psychological and physical effects of those with disease. He also argued that sound therapy gave patients ``lower stress hormones and stronger immune systems.” The pulsating tones of the singing bowl help practitioners feel good and relax.
Practitioners will also sometimes provide the afflicted with sound therapy as an alternative treatment for problems such as anxiety, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and PTSD. These practitioners maintain that sound therapy places listeners in a meditative state, in turn, allowing them to de-stress, relax, and heal.
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There are numerous articles on the internet written by sound healers and those that incorporate singing bowls into their treatment for a variety of illnesses and disorders. Singing bowl vibrations can have various physical, emotional, and spiritual effects on the mind and body. Sound therapy can be a great additional or alternative treatment to a number of physical or mental problems or just added relaxation to meditation or yoga classes.
Which singing bowl is right for you? In this post, we reveal the tips and tricks to finding the perfect singing bowl. We also reveal the difference between older and newer bowls, how to tell if a bowl is low or high quality, and the best places to shop for singing bowls. Let's get started!
Different Types
Choosing a singing bowl can be daunting given the vast array of different types and sizes of singing bowls available for purchase. Quality singing bowls can also be pricey, making this purchase an investment that buyers should not take lightly. If you are overwhelmed by the choices of singing bowls out there, you are in luck! We have written this guide to help you narrow your choices and find the best singing bowl for your specific needs and preferences.
In this article we discuss the following:
What are singing bowls?
What are the different types of singing bowls?
Older versus newer
High quality versus low quality
Sound and feeling
What can different singing bowls do?
Where can you buy singing bowls?
What are Singing Bowls?
If you are looking to buy a singing bowl, it is likely you are familiar with what singing bowls are, what they do, and perhaps their history. Singing bowls, also called Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls, are ancient bowls that produce sound and vibration when played with a mallet or striker. They are often linked with Buddhism or other spiritual practices.
Singing bowls are generally made from an alloy of various metals which include copper, silver, iron, tin, lead, or gold. At the end of the 20th century, pure crystal singing bowls became very popular.
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Singing bowls range in shape, style, quality, tone, size, and more. There are many variations and characteristics that make singing bowls unique. However, this uniqueness can be a challenge when on the hunt for the perfect singing bowl for your collection. This article will take a look at the many different kinds of singing bowls so that you can make an informed choice when purchasing your very own bowl.
What are the Different Types of Singing Bowls?
There are many different kinds of singing bowls. In fact, some researchers have identified as many as 50 different styles of singing bowls. However, most singing bowl dealers narrow their shop offerings down to seven or eight basic styles. Authentic, antique singing bowls will be at least 100 years old, while others can be hundreds of years old. Generally speaking, older bowls can be distinguished by their shape, markings, metal thickness, as well as the tone produced. Crystal bowls are new age and not considered to be antique singing bowls, so we will discuss their characteristics last.
Although there are various styles of Himalayan singing bowls, most genuine singing bowls can be traced to Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, and India. When comparing different styles of singing bowls, a range of over five octaves can be produced, from high to low tones. The sizes can also differ drastically. A large Jambati bowl will dwarf a small Manipuri and there are hundreds of differently sized bowls between them!
Thadobati
Thadobati singing bowls are characterized by high walls, straight sides, flat bottoms, with plain, undecorated lips. They can play up to five different octaves and respond well when being played by a mallet. Thadobati bowls are small or medium sized and can range in price from as little as $60 to $560 USD. Some ancient Thadobati bowls date back to at least the 15th century, making them the oldest bowl forms. Additionally, there are many different sub-styles of Thadobati bowls due to their decorative markings. Thadobati singing bowls are among the most popular bowls.
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Jambati
Jambati bowls have curved walls, flat bottoms, and lips that face inward. Their appearance is also notable due to their appealing hammer marks. They can play up to four different octaves but most generally play the 2nd or 3rd octave. They respond well when being played by a mallet. Jambati bowls are the largest and heaviest of all singing bowls. 3 to 4 craftsmen are required to forge a single Jambati bowl. Given their size and the labor required to make Jambati bowls, their prices range from $640 to $8,800 USD. These bowls are often found in great condition. Due to their size, they were often used for grain storage, which preserved them well. If you are interested in purchasing a Jambati bowl, you will also need to buy a mat or cushion to place it on while playing it. If you are planning on only owning one singing bowl, a Jambati bowl can be an excellent choice if your budget allows it.
Naga
Naga singing bowls are also called Naga pedestal bowls. Its name is due to its chalice-like appearance. They are responsive bowls, but, unfortunately, their sound can sometimes be distorted by the pedestal base. They are small to medium sized bowls and considered to be very unique and rare. Antique Naga bowls are generally found in great condition, causing specialists to believe they must have served a ceremonial or sacred purpose. It is thought that its pedestal may perhaps have given it purpose as an offering bowl. Naga singing bowls range in price from $160 to $640 USD.
Mani
Mani bowls are short and stout with an inward-facing lip and flat bottom. They can play a range of three octaves and are considered mostly easy to play, however, some can be temperamental. Their tone is considerably higher than other bowls. Mani bowls are small to medium sized and can cost anywhere from $270 to $675 USD. Mani bowls are sometimes referred to as Mudra singing bowls and many might have been used for sacred, ritual or ceremonial purposes.
Ultabati
Ultabati, similar to Jambati bowls, are large, heavy bowls. They produce the lowest two octaves and can be very easy to play with practice. Ultabati bowls are capable of producing fountains as well as the OM sound favored in Buddhist practice. They are also some of the most expensive bowls, starting at $700 and going upwards towards $2,000 USD. Their appearance is also notable with darkened, or even black, outside walls. If you are planning on only owning one singing bowl, an Ultabati bowl can be an excellent choice if your budget allows it.
Manipuri
Manipuri singing bowls, which can be small or medium sized, have shallow insides and splayed rims. They produce a range of primary tones and are considered to be very affordable bowls, ranging in price from $75 to $425 USD. Given that they are easy to play and are financially accessible, Manupuri bowls are often the first singing bowls added to one’s collection.
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Lingam
Lingam, or Lingham bowls, are shallow like Manipuri bowls but distinct due to the protrusion in the center of the bowl. The peak inside of the bowl creates a flat bottom with a navel-like indention. Their shape gives them a unique sound that can make them difficult to play. These small to medium sized bowls are extremely rare when authentic and can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,900 USD. However, be careful when looking for Lingam bowls. Some bowls can be reworked to appear like Lingam bowls but are, in reality, fakes.
Remuna
Rumana singing bowls are stout with smooth, thin walls. They are also known for their decorative artwork. These medium sized bowls are among the easiest to play and can cost anywhere from $235 to $635 USD.
Crystal
Crystal bowls were popularized in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Quartz crystal singing bowls can be frosted, clear, mineral fusion, or a handle bowl. Crystal bowls come in a variety of sizes and can produce a variety of tones, playing in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th octaves. Frosted bowls generally produce the loudest sounds. Clear bowls are not as loud, but give off clear tones. Handle bowls are louder and easy to play.
Older Versus Newer Singing Bowls
There are both advantages and disadvantages to older and newer singing bowls. Ancient Tibetan bowls, like any antique, must be authenticated for their age and quality. Many of the newer bowls being produced today are made to look old, but old bowls will stand out from the new bowls in both appearance and tone.
Older bowls generally have thinner layers of metal on the bottom than newer bowls. However, do not let the signs of aging and wear scare you away. These bowls are at least 100 years old and these signs of wear are not only to be expected but appreciated. Older bowls also have richer, warmer tones than newer bowls, which have more metallic and sharp tones. Newer bowls, on the other hand, will stand out when struck as the vibration of newer bowls is more powerful and will ring out longer.
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The most popular ancient singing bowls in the West are Thadobati, Manipuri, and Jambati singing bowls. Price is also a considerable difference between authentic, ancient bowls and new, machine manufactured bowls. Antique bowls will be a lot more expensive than new bowls. Antique bowls are investments, whereas new bowls can be affordable options for beginners.
High Quality Versus Low Quality Singing Bowls
In order to differentiate between high quality and low quality singing bowls, you must be able to play the bowl or at least hear a sound clip. A high quality bowl will be able to hold its vibration and produce several tones, harmonics and overtones. If the vibration sounds as if it’s “fluttering” away, the bowl is not high quality.
You should be aware that the amount of time or effort it takes to make the bowl sing is not important. One might assume that a bowl that sings right away indicates that it is a good bowl, but whether it sings right away or needs to be played for a while is unimportant when determining a bowl’s quality.
Lastly, a high quality bowl will be one made from the finest metals, which will ensure durability and longevity.
Sound and Feeling of Singing Bowls
Although there are many things to consider before purchasing a singing bowl, sound should be of the utmost importance. It is important to choose a singing bowl with an excellent voice--one that moves you and makes you feel something.
When listening to a bowl, observe how the sound affects your body. Do you feel moved? Are there any tingling sensations in any area of your body? You should be able to feel the vibrations and tones produced by your singing bowl and they should feel good upon receiving them.
In addition to how the sound makes you feel, is the singing bowl a good physical fit for you? Is it too heavy? Is it too small? Is it too big to hold? Will the weight be a problem when playing for long periods of time?
Generally speaking, bowls weighing more than 3 pounds, or 1.5 kilos, may become difficult to hold when playing for long periods of time. On the other hand, very light bowls can be moved too easily while being played leading to distorted sounds or worse, as they are liable to falling over and cracking. You should look for a singing bowl that is as close to your perfect fit as possible!
What Can Different Singing Bowls Do?
Different styles of singing bowls can have different purposes and uses. Therefore, when looking for a singing bowl to purchase, make sure to ask yourself how you plan to use the singing bowl. Is it for meditation? Grounding? Physical healing? Sound therapy? Yoga classes? Chakra healing? Singing bowls can make great additions for all of these uses but specific bowls might work best in specific cases.
When using singing bowls for meditation, bowls that produce low tones or even the OM sound are best. Ultabati and Jamabati bowls are known for their deep, lasting sounds and are great for meditation. However, if you are meditating in a small room, a smaller bowl, such as the Thadobati, Mani, or Manipuri bowls might be best.
Similar to meditation singing bowls, the singing bowls that work best in yoga classes are the ones that produce low tones. If your yoga classes move location, smaller bowls provide greater portability. Grounding practice requires singing bowls that can produce lower tones, as well, like the Ultabati and Jamabati bowls.
Singing bowls that are useful in physical healing include extremely high pitched bowls, which can help drive out illnesses in the body. A Mani bowl, which is known for its higher pitched tone, could make a great bowl for physical healing.
Various singing bowls can be used for sound therapy. Choosing a bowl depends on how you plan to use the bowl and what ailments you are trying to remedy. Size, for example, can be an important factor. Larger bowls should be placed near the feet and smaller bowls with warm tones near the head. Crystal handle bowls can also be useful in sound therapy as the handle allows you to move the bowl across the patient’s body. Naga singing bowls are also linked to sound therapists and healers.
Singing bowls, specifically crystal singing bowls, are often associated with chakra healing. Some specialists believe that specific tones work for specific chakras. For example, smaller, higher pitched bowls work best for the third eye. However, some experts stress that regardless of the specific pitches and chakras, what is most important is the “quality of your own intention and awareness” when using singing bowls for chakras.
Where Can You Buy Singing Bowls?
You can buy singing bowls in a variety of different places. There may be health and wellness stores in your area which have singing bowls for sale from time to time. In addition, there are great places to purchase singing bowls online. In particular, you should consider purchasing a singing bowl from Shanti Bowl which was founded in 2015 to spread awareness of the beauty and health benefits of singing bowls. These bowls, which are of the highest quality, are intentionally priced well below their market value in order to ensure they are accessible to the most people possible. In addition, Shanti Bowl donates significant proceeds to non-profit organizations that work to provide meditation and mindfulness practices to at-risk communities.
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Singing bowls can make a great addition to your therapy and health practices, to your daily meditation routine, or to your group yoga classes. Singing bowls and their healing properties, including stress reduction and pain elimination, can improve our overall well-being. In order to purchase the best singing bowl to improve your life, be sure to narrow down your preferences of style, shape, size, sound, quality, and price. Ultimately, you should choose a bowl that both meets your needs and creates love and harmony within you upon hearing its special voice.
We invite you to get your own Tibetan singing bowl or crystal singing bowl today!
Did You Enjoy This Article?
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Singing Bowls for Beginners: The Complete Guide and Best Tibetan Singing Bowl Music
The Bottom Line
We now know that singing bowls sing not because of magic or mystical forces. Singing bowls sing because of physics! Vibrations and resonance are created by striking the bowl with a mallet. In addition, while the scientific evidence is not clear, a wealth of anecdotal evidence indicates that singing bowl tones have positive physical, mental, and emotional effects on those who hear them. Tibetan singing bowls have been used in religious practice for about 2500 years and are now increasingly found in sound therapy practices, meditation, and yoga classes. Singing bowls work like any other instrument but their implications to improve our lives are endless!
We invite you to get your own Tibetan singing bowl or crystal singing bowl today!
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following articles: Singing Bowl Tones and Frequencies: Complete Guide and Crystal Singing Bowls: The Complete Guide.