6 Benefits To Using Singing Bowls In Your Yoga Practice

Many yoga teachers use singing bowls in their classes, or have full sessions called sound baths! There are many reasons why these experiences are so enjoyable, but in this post I will limit myself to listing 6 benefits to using singing bowls in your yoga practice.

If you have attended one of my classes you will know I love using Tibetan singing bowls at the end of class, walking around with one so that everybody can feel the vibrations. Like a mini sound-bath.

Of course, this is not an original idea of mine, as many teachers use either Tibetan singing bowls, which are made of metal, or crystal singing bowls.

I have tried both, but I find that I’m drawn to metal ones more. Materials aside, the main difference is in sound: crystal bowls have a lovely light and ethereal sound, while metal ones are more soothing and grounding.

What are they?

Singing bowls are like standing bells, you can play them by striking them or rotating the mallet around the rim.

They originated in China, and they were made of bronze or cast-iron. Traditional Tibetan bowls are said to be made of a bronze alloy containing copper, tin, zinc, iron, silver, gold and nickel, metals which are connected to the 7 planets of the Solar System.

Crystal bowls, instead, are usually made of crushed Quartz.

Regardless, all bowls are tuned to specific notes, which are said to stimulate the corresponding Chakra.

The 6 Benefits of Singing Bowls

I often find that my mind is pretty volatile, I’m always thinking about the future or the past, generally overthinking. Similarly, students most likely come to class wanting to shake off the day. Here, the comforting vibrations and harmonic sounds of the bowls are of great help. We know it from experience, but there is some science behind it too!

It has been estimated that about 75% of illnesses can be attributed to stress, especially hypertension and cardiac disease. There is a handful of scientific articles presenting evidence for the benefits of meditation and the mantra Om, the vibrations of which are replicated by the sound of the singing bowls. The main recorded benefit is the effects of such vibrations on blood pressure and heart rate. Using these instruments, especially during a relaxation session, significantly decreases both, which is extremely helpful in treating hypertension! Additionally, using them to accompany meditation has been shown to significantly reduce the feeling of physical pain, as well as decrease negative moods such as tension, anger and depression!

So, here’s 6 benefits to using singing bowls:

• Deep relaxation;
• Reduces stress, anger, and anxiety;
• Lowers blood pressure and heart rate;
• Improves mood;
• Better pain management;
• Improves hypertension.

I hope you will include the use of these lovely instruments in your future practices!

Share this article if you’ve found it interesting, and let me know what your experience with bowls is!

Om Shanti

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P.S. If you’re interested in reading the data-filled articles I mention in this post, you can find them here and here.

P.P.S. Enjoy some singing bowls music from my Instagram!

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A post shared by Elisa Citro | RelaxYoga (@elisa_relaxyoga)

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