Tibetan Singing Bowl

Tibetan Singing Bowl
"When we listen to music we are not listening to the past, we are not listening to the future, we are listening to an expanded present"
- Alan Watts -

Traditional musical instruments are developed among common people and usually does not have a known inventor.

When played, a Tibetan singing bowl resembles a bell that vibrates and emits a deep, rich tone. Tibetan singing bowls, sometimes called Himalayan bowls or singing bowls, are thought to have potent healing and relaxation-promoting effects.

Tibetan singing bowls have long been used in meditation by Buddhist monks. Globally, Tibetan singing bowls have become popular as a tool used by some wellness professionals, such as music therapists, massage therapists, and yoga therapists.

History of the Tibetan Singing Bowl

Although there is some evidence suggesting that the Tibetan singing bowl may have originated in China sometime around the 16th century BC, there remains controversy over its precise origins. Various metals, including mercury, lead, silver, iron, gold, and copper, were used to make traditional bowls.

Although Tibetan singing bowls have a long history dating back hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the bowls were first imported to North America and Europe. During the 1990s these bowls gained popularity as a supplemental and alternative treatment for a range of illnesses.


Applications of the singing bowl in therapy

Stress relief: According to studies, Tibetan singing bowls might help people unwind and feel less anxious.

Improving Sleep: singing bowl treatment may aid with increasing sleep because it has been associated to a reduction in anxiety and tension. 

Blood pressure reduction: A preliminary investigation into the advantages of beginning a focused relaxation session with 12 minutes of singing bowl sounds was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion in 2014. Compared to readings before the session, it was discovered that there was a decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate. 

Reducing depression: One study suggested that singing bowl treatment might be a cheap technique to assist in reducing symptoms of depression by linking it to improvements in mood.

Stimulating the immune system: Some people also assert that Tibetan singing bowls can boost the immune system and provide positive adjustments to brain waves. 

Pain relief: According to one study, singing bowl therapy dramatically reduced stress levels and pain severity in patients with persistent spinal pain. However, the usefulness of singing bowl therapy for pain alleviation could not be proved because placebo treatment had the same results.

Balancing and harmonizing the body: The vibrations of a singing bowl, according to many supporters, can "harmonize" the cells and "balance the body's energy system," resulting in positive changes in the body. 

Enhancing other healing practices: Some people combine the bowls with other healing techniques, such meditation and deep breathing, to enhance their effects.

Impact of Tibetan Singing Bowls

Several hypotheses have been put out to explain why Tibetan singing bowls might be advantageous. Such hypotheses imply:

The mind and body may be impacted by the bowls’ vibrations.
The bowls’ sounds may have an effect on the brain’s waves to promote relaxation.
They might have similar psychological impacts and advantages to music listening.
The benefits of listening to the bowls may be related to the ancient practice of sound therapy. (Often used by Indigenous cultures throughout the world, sound therapy involves pulsing sounds, clapping, drumming, and singing for ceremonial, spiritual, and health purposes.)

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.

While using Tibetan singing bowls is generally regarded as safe, there is not a great deal of research on the possible risks and side effects of this type of treatment.
People who may want to avoid singing bowl therapy include those who:

Are prone to headaches: Some people report experiencing headaches as a result of the noise and vibrations that the singing bowls produce.
Are pregnant: Because the effects on pregnancy are not known, you might want to avoid this type of therapy if you are currently pregnant.
Have epilepsy: In some instances, noise and vibrations may trigger seizures.

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, including:

Online retailers
Meditation centers
Yoga studios
Music shops
Stores that specialize in new-age products

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.


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.