Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistorySinging Bowl TherapyDo Singing Bowls Work?How to UseImpactTips for BuyingRisksFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
Singing Bowl Therapy
Do Singing Bowls Work?
How to Use
Impact
Tips for Buying
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
Close
Also known as singing bowls or Himalayan bowls, Tibetan singing bowls are said topromote relaxationand offer powerful healing properties including stress relief. A Tibetan singing bowl is a type of bowl that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone when played.
Buddhist monks have long used Tibetan singing bowls in meditation practice. In addition, some wellness practitioners (includingmusic therapists, massage therapists, and yoga therapists) use Tibetan singing bowls during treatment.
This article discusses how Tibetan singing bowls are used and their purported benefits. It also covers what you should consider before you try using this type of treatment.
Does Sound Healing Actually Work?
History of Tibetan Singing Bowls
There is debate about the exact origins of the Tibetan singing bowl, although there is some evidence that it may have originated in China sometime around the 16th century BC. Traditional bowls were made of a variety of metals including mercury, lead, silver, iron, gold, and copper.
During the 1970s, people began importing the bowls to North America and Europe. They grew in popularity in the 1990s as a complementary and alternative treatment for a variety of ailments.
RecapTibetan signing bowls have a history that dates back thousands of years, but they only became popular in the U.S. starting in the 1970s.
Recap
Tibetan signing bowls have a history that dates back thousands of years, but they only became popular in the U.S. starting in the 1970s.
Uses for Tibetan Singing Bowls
Very few scientific studies have examined the potential benefits of Tibetan singing bowls, despite their long history of use. But some people do report that using the bowls help them feel more relaxed.
Uses for singing bowl therapy include:
Do Singing Bowls Work?It is important to note that while Tibetan singing bowls are often used for these purposes, research is still needed to determine what impact they actually have. Proponents may suggest that they have these benefits, but that does not mean that they actually work. Some of the claims don’t have a clear scientific basis.
It is important to note that while Tibetan singing bowls are often used for these purposes, research is still needed to determine what impact they actually have. Proponents may suggest that they have these benefits, but that does not mean that they actually work. Some of the claims don’t have a clear scientific basis.
How to Use Tibetan Singing Bowls
During singing bowl treatment, you will lie on the floor while the bowls are placed in different configurations. For example, they might be placed around your body, on your body, or in different locations around the room.
Once positioned, the practitioner will use mallets to strike the bowls in a sequence in order to produce sounds and vibrations. In some cases, your practitioner may also include a guided meditation.
To use a singing bowl yourself, firmly press the accompanying mallet in a circular motion against the bowl’s outside edge or rim. When you hear a bright, clear tone, you can slow down the motion. Use your full arm to make the motion, rather than just rotating your wrist.
You can also make the same circular motion against the outside belly of the bowl. Additionally, you can gently strike the bowl before beginning the circular motion.
Impact of Tibetan Singing Bowls
A few different theories have been proposed to explain why Tibetan singing bowls might be beneficial. Such theories suggest that:
Sound Therapy
For example, singing bowls are often used duringsound baths, a meditative experience in which people meditate while listening to resonant sounds. Research has found that sound baths can have a variety of beneficial effects, including improving positive moods,reducing anxiety,and decreasing pain.
A 2020 review of the existing research concluded that there was not enough current evidence to recommend the use of singing bowl therapies. However, the authors of the study noted that there was evidence indicating that this type of treatment had some positive effects that warrant further investigation.
RecapWhile proponents suggest that Tibetan singing bowls can have a variety of positive effects such as reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and helping with pain relief, more research is needed.
While proponents suggest that Tibetan singing bowls can have a variety of positive effects such as reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and helping with pain relief, more research is needed.
Tips for Buying a Tibetan Singing Bowl
If you are interested in trying Tibetan singing bowls, there are a number of places where you can find them. Some sources include:
Experts suggest that higher-quality bowls tend to produce more resonant sounds.
Smaller to medium-sized bowls are often more appropriate for beginners. Larger singing bowls may be suited to more advanced users. There are a number of good-quality singing bowls available that are small enough to be comfortable for beginning users but still produce quality sounds.
Look for a high quality bowl that is able to produce a variety of resonant tones. Some experts suggest purchasing a hand-hammered bowl as opposed to a machine-made one in order to obtain a more resonant tone.
Can Tibetan Singing Bowls Help Relieve Stress?
Is It OK to Use a Singing Bowl?
While using Tibetan singing bowls is generally regarded as safe, there is not a great deal of research on using them as a type of treatment. People who may want to avoid singing bowl therapy include those who:
Summary
Tibetan singing bowls are believed to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and produce other healing effects. Originating in China thousands of years ago, these bowls have become increasingly popular in other countries over the last few decades.
Purported benefits include improving sleep, reducing depression, relieving pain, and increasing immunity. However, current evidence cannot substantiate these benefits. While there appear to be some positive effects, more research is needed to determine how and when singing bowls are best used.
Tibetan singing bowls may have some benefits, but more research is needed to support their use as a treatment for stress, anxiety, and other concerns. Some research does indicate that these singing bowls can enhance meditation and deep breathing, which may help maximize the stress-relieving benefits of those practices.
10 Mental Health Strategies That Have Asian Origins
A singing bowl is used to help promote meditation and relaxation. In addition to aiding in stress relief, the resonant sounds they produce are purported to have other health benefits as well.
A singing bowl can be used with or without water. Water in the bowl can produce different resonant vibrations and sounds.
7 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Landry JM.Physiological and psychological effects of a Himalayan singing bowl in meditation practice: a quantitative analysis.Am J Health Promot. 2014;28(5):306-9. doi:10.4278/ajhp.121031-ARB-528
Wepner F, Hahne J, Teichmann A, Berka-Schmid G, Hördinger A, Friedrich M.[Treatment with crystal singing bowls for chronic spinal pain and chronobiologic activities - a randomized controlled trial].Forsch Komplementmed. 2008;15(3):130-7. doi:10.1159/000136571
Panchal S, Irani F, Trivedi GY.Impact of himalayan singing bowls meditation session on mood and heart rate variability – an observational study. zico E, ed.IJPR. 2020;1(4):20-30.
Cotoia A, Dibello F, Moscatelli F, et al.Effects of Tibetan music on neuroendocrine and autonomic functions in patients waiting for surgery: A randomized, controlled study.Anesthesiol Res Pract. 2018;2018:9683780. Published 2018 Mar 5. doi:10.1155/2018/9683780
Stanhope J, Weinstein P.The human health effects of singing bowls: A systematic review.Complement Ther Med. 2020;51:102412. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102412
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