Breaking Down Therapeutic Singing Bowls for Beginners
Therapeutic Singing Bowls: Their Benefits And Types
A bowl? As in the ones we use daily to eat our cereal in? They sing and therapize us? Is this what you thought when you first read the title? Or did your always boasting friend tell you about his or her luxurious experience with singing bowls?
Did you come across pictures of people sleeping with bowls on their tummies and wondered what it is craziness? Or did you already master the art of spiritual healing and are a pro with crystals and amethysts and now want to know about therapeutic bowls?
Either way, let’s get you the answers you’ve been looking for.
Now, What Exactly Are Therapeutic Singing Bowls?
Do I need to stare at these bowls and let my thoughts consume me till I put them all out and finally come out as a new person? Is that it? Or do I sleep under their heaviness and then let my thoughts consume me?
While you are incredibly brave to even think about confronting your thoughts and hats off to you for that, by the way, the answer is No. Therapy with these singing bowls is just like any of your other spa experiences, except you may have a person hitting and rubbing the bowls.
You might already know that sound and vibrations are very healing. Be it those ASMR sounds woke people listen to before sleeping, or well, any types of vibrations you give your body to feel good. These singing bowls, also called Himalayan or Tibetan singing bowls, produce sound and vibrations when hit with a stickler.
These vibrations produce sounds that are felt within our bodies and energy fields. They also provide you entertainment. Yes, that’s right. Not the kind that is probably going on in your mind right now, though. They provide a type of acoustic entertainment which is a feeling of deep relaxation and focus. These vibrations move through your body, and unlike other kinds of vibrations, these restore peace and balance.
Types Of Therapeutic Singing Bowls
Oh yes, these things have types too. Based on the material used, their size, tone, and quality, the different kinds of singing bowls are:
Thadobati Singing Bowls
They are basically straight in shape. They have straight walls, flat bottoms, plain lips, and, just like some of you, high walls. They are the most boomer ones of all the singing bowls. To compensate for their bland nature, just like any other oldies, they have decorative markings. They can play up to five different octaves.
Remuna Singing Bowls
They are like the baby boomers. They are similar to the Thadobati ones and can be combined with them in sets. They have inwardly sloping walls and flat bottoms. They have the most beautiful artwork of all the singing bowls. Just like people, they have two outer textures with a rough bottom.
Jambati Singing Bowls
They got those curves and are heavy. Yes, we are still talking about bowls. They are curved with inwardly facing lips. They have lines etched on the outside rim and have circular markings at the bottom of the bowls. These are the largest and play the heaviest sounds among all singing bowls. You need to have a mat or cushion under them to play them properly.
Naga or Pedestal Singing bowls
They are standing bowls with rounded bottoms (finally) and attached flat bases. These are thin and smaller in size. But due to the base, they may sometimes give off distorted sounds. Everyone needs to pay the price for standing on their own, right? Their range of notes is large, though. They can go up to the sixth octave.
Manipuri Singing Bowls
They can be easily identified among a pile of bowls as they have shallow insides (touché, I know.) They produce a primary range of tones and are pretty easy to use if you are a beginner. They neither have any lines, nor do they wear out quickly. The benefits of being shallow, one may say.
Mani Singing Bowls
They are also called Mudra. They have the thickest walls and are stout. They are broader in the middle than at the base or lip. Their tone is higher than other bowls, and they are sometimes used in sacred rituals. They were also given as wedding gifts in the olden days.
Lingam Bowls
These bowls have the metal at the bottom protruding out into the bowl in the form of a cone. These are the rarest and most expensive ones. These produce a deep tone that resonates for a longer period. Lingam means “phallus” in Sanskrit and embodies the Hindu god Lord Shiva. A genuine old lingam will have a consistent metal at the bottom. Due to their rareness, you may find many fake versions being sold online, so be careful if you plan to purchase one.
Ultabati Singing Bowls
They are large and heavy bowls. They produce the sound of the universe, OM. They are easy to play and make low octaves. They also produce fountains. They have a dark exterior and are also expensive. They can be distinguished from other bowls by the side of the bowls under the rim. They are curved inwards in this region. Their etching lines are similar to that of the Jambati ones.
The Void Singing Bowls
These have patterns of concentric circles on the exterior walls. Void singing bowls have a ‘pile-lip’ type of construction. They get their name from the concept of ‘Void’ from Buddhism. It means that the individual is inseparable from all.
The Crystal Singing Bowls
These are the millennial version of the singing bowls. They are the most modern ones. They are made of quartz material and can be clear, frosted, or mineral fused. Frosted bowls usually play the loudest sound among crystal bowls. These are produced commercially and not available in all regions.
Lotus Bowls
Just like the flower, they too have protrusions from the base. Their walls are thin and high. Due to thin walls, these produce relatively deep tones.
That folks are the types of singing bowls. You can find many subtypes and other unique singing bowls that don’t fall under any of the above. Now you probably have an idea of what is what and what you should buy. Be sure to check properly and get your collection. Or, just go to a healing center and treat yourself with the calm these sounds and vibrations produce. Just don’t try to DIY and go hitting pots and pans in your kitchen. That would be the opposite of peace. Haha!