Tibetan singing bowls are a type of bell that are used while sitting on the ground rather than as a traditional bell, which is hung or suspended. When the bowl is struck, it vibrates, creating sound.
The sound varies depending on how large or small the singing bowl is alongside its thickness. Sound therapy is a growing trend in the field of alternative medicine and has positive effects for many people. Here’s everything you need to know about Tibetan singing bowls.
How Are They Used
According to Diane Mandle, a California State Certified Practitioner, the use of Tibetan singing bowls is gaining in popularity as a way to treat stress-related disorders. The bowls can be used to create a rhythm that is soothing and relaxing for patients undergoing the therapy.
Bowls of different sizes and shapes create a specialized musical composition that allows a person to work through stress and take time to receive a break from the life events causing the stress.
Traditionally, the Tibetan singing bowls have been used by monks as a part of their meditation practices. It makes sense then, that they would be a viable choice for helping people of other cultures learn to tune in to their bodies and minds so that they can achieve a stress-free state, even if only for a short amount of time.
Other claims say that Tibetan singing bowls can also boost immunity, help align bodily systems and promote healthy cellular activity within the body. Undergoing Tibetan singing bowl therapy sometimes entails sitting back and enjoying the music played by a professional, and in some cases, people purchase their own set of singing bowls and practice the therapy on their own at home.
Behind The Research
The research on Tibetan singing bowls is limited, but several small studies have produced some results that have driven alternative medicine practitioners to have hope that they will become a mainstream method of treating stress related health issues.
According to the experts at Singing Bowl Zen, using Tibetan singing bowls as a part of meditation can help lower anxiety, reduce stress, boost cognitive function, help people deal with chronic pain, reduce blood pressure and control recurring headaches.
While the authors of the research do say that meditation is not a replacement for traditional treatments for these conditions, they can improve the results and help people manage their health on a day-to-day basis.
Finding A Therapist
If you feel that using Tibetan singing bowls may be beneficial for you, it’s important to find someone with experience in using this method of sound therapy. Look for someone who has practiced the art of ringing the bowls and, if you can, it’s a good idea to find a therapist who has used them successfully to treat patients with your specific health issue.
In general, the singing bowls are not harmful, but you might find that they don’t work unless you get into the right frame of mind. Just as with any other kind of treatment, it takes practice to make it work for you.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results once you start using the Tibetan singing bowl therapy. It may take weeks or even months to get used to the therapy and to begin receiving its positive effects.
A properly trained professional can really help by giving you advice on the best ways to prepare for and go through your therapy session, so ask and listen. Talk to a mental health professional in your area for a referral to a therapist who practices alternative medicine, that way you know you are finding a trusted professional to help you.
