Sound Therapy and Singing Bowls

Stress. Anxiety. Pain. We all seek ways to alleviate their interruption in life. Thankfully, there are safe, effective drug-free means to achieving this goal.

While approaches such as meditation and mindfulness have been used successfully by many people for centuries, sound therapy requires no preparation. The effort of bringing a yoga mat and following instructions is not necessary for a sound meditation session. Simply lying down and listening to the tones produced by singing bowls, bells, and gongs can have deep relaxation and positively affect mood and well-being. The high-intensity, low-frequency combinations of these sounds is therapy for overall human wellness and health.

In addition, since stress, tension, and anxiety are precursors to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and addiction, a no-stress approach to lower blood pressure and increase well-being makes sense. This healing process does not require you to bring anything or do anything. Sound therapy only requires you to be still and listen.

Sound bowls are a popular tool in sound therapy

In one study, Tibetan singing bowls were placed in the center of a room and tapped or circled with a mallet at specific intervals. Participants experienced decreased depression, anxiety, stress, and pain by the end of the sound meditation session. The singing bowls were made of metal alloys and played for 95% of the time, while other instruments such as the didgeridoo, cymbals, dongs, and small bells were played for 5% of the time. The effects of the singing bowls were most effective for people who had not experienced them before. However, all participants experienced decreased levels of stress and increased levels of relaxation and spiritual well-being.

Australian aboriginal tribes have used the didgeridoo for sound healing for more than 40,000 years. The sounds from this instrument slow brain waves and lower heart rate and, currently, it is helpful for various ailments ranging from pain to Autism.

Learn more about sound healing and the didgeridoo

Dating back to 3,000 B.C., studies of Tibetan singing bowls, also called Himalayan singing bowls, have focused on the physics of the instruments. How the sonic and wave properties they produce work in conjunction with the water levels in our bodies and cause favorable wellness traits are of interest. Although the origin of the bowls is not known, handmade bowls create a more intense and longer-lasting tone than machine-made bowls. One demonstration of how this works is here.

Sound therapy exists in many forms. If it is through an instrument or our voice, the vibrations of tones, chants, harmonics, and rhythms have powerful healing effects. Listening to singing or performing singing has proven effective in improving memory and concentration, joint function, sleep patterns, and more. According to one scientific study: “When we sing, we resonate every cell in our body.” This is true because our voice is internal. It is part of our body, and when we activate it, the vibrations resonate throughout our cells.