Tibetan Singing Bowls

Presentation

Tibetan singing bowls are traditional sound therapy instruments made from an alloy of seven metals corresponding to the seven planets of traditional astrology: gold (Sun), silver (Moon), copper (Venus), tin (Jupiter), iron (Mars), lead (Saturn) and mercury (Mercury). Their exact origin is debated: some attribute them to pre-Buddhist Tibetan tradition (Bön), others to Nepal or India. The oldest specimens date from approximately 2,500 years ago.

When struck or rubbed around the rim with a mallet, the bowl produces a rich fundamental tone accompanied by multiple harmonics. These sound and physical vibrations (the bowl also vibrates mechanically) interact with the human body, which is 70% water, creating a resonance effect that promotes deep relaxation, tension release and meditation.

Core Principles

Tibetan bowl sound therapy is based on the principle of sympathetic resonance: every cell, organ and system has its own vibrational frequency. When this frequency is disrupted (stress, illness), the Tibetan bowl allows the body to be 'retuned' by offering a harmonic reference frequency. Brainwave entrainment is also at play: bowl frequencies induce brainwave slowing toward alpha (8-12 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) frequencies, associated with deep relaxation and meditation.

Technical Details

Materials

Alloy of 5 to 7 metals (traditional) or bronze (modern)

Sizes

8 to 50 cm diameter

Frequencies

110 Hz to 800 Hz (fundamental) + harmonics

Playing techniques

Striking (mallet), rim rubbing (stick), body placement

Session duration

30 to 75 minutes

Main Indications

• Chronic stress and burnout
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Muscular and joint pain
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Tinnitus (some cases, under supervision)
• Meditation support
• Chakra rebalancing
• Birth preparation

Session Overview

The receiver lies on a mat or massage table, clothed. The practitioner arranges bowls around the body and sometimes directly on the body (small bowls placed on the abdomen, back or chakras). The session begins with a moment of silence and conscious breathing. The practitioner then plays the bowls in a specific order, creating an enveloping soundscape. Vibrations propagate throughout the body via bone and tissue conduction. The receiver may enter an altered state of consciousness similar to a light trance. The session ends with a gradual return using increasingly gentle sounds.

Contraindications

• Epilepsy (vibrations may trigger seizures)
• Pacemaker or metallic implant wearers (do not place bowls on these areas)
• First trimester of pregnancy (precaution)
• Active psychosis or psychiatric decompensation
• Severe tinnitus (case-by-case evaluation)
• Acute inflammation or thrombosis (do not place bowls directly)