Singing bowls
Everything is vibration: Indian singing bowls from Bodhi
Singing bowls originate from Asia. Their pleasant sounds and vibrations are often used for relaxation during yoga or meditation, for sound journeys, sound healing and sound massage.
Singing bowls are either handmade in the traditional manner or cast by machine. Machine-made singing bowls are usually somewhat smaller and have a clear, bright tone, which is often used as a signal tone.
Handcrafted bowls are gradually "driven" larger using traditional methods and hammers from a large casting block until they reach their final bowl shape. They are usually larger and have a warm and full sound. Hand-forged singing bowls are often used for relaxation. Typical areas of application include meditation, yoga exercises, singing bowl massages and sound therapy.
Finding the right singing bowl
If you want to buy a singing bowl, you should think first about the context in which you will use it. The size of the singing bowl influences the sound as well as the way it is made. The larger the singing bowl, the deeper and more relaxing the sound it makes. The mallet used for playing also has an influence on the sound it creates. And last but not least, it makes a difference whether the singing bowl is struck or rubbed with the mallet.
When looking for the right singing bowl, you should ask yourself where you will use it. Would you like to use the bowl for relaxation during meditation or yoga exercises, or to promote concentration and attention in the teaching or musical field? Or do you need the bowl for your work in sound therapy, singing bowl massage or energy work? The better you know the application, the easier it will be for you to choose the right singing bowl.
The right singing bowl mallet or striker
To elicit the pleasant sound of the singing bowl, you need a mallet or striker. Singing bowl mallets are available in different versions, as wooden strikers, wooden striker with leather and felt mallets. Each mallet or striker creates a different sound. Wooden strikers, for example, are usually used for very small singing bowls because they bring out the bright overtones particularly well.
Wooden strikers with leather are also suitable for smaller bowls. In addition, they are often used for rubbing the bowl, making the bowl sing by evenly rubbing around the edge of the bowl. Felt mallets, on the other hand, are used for large to very large singing bowls, as they bring out the low tones perfectly and produce a muted, relaxing sound, as is desired in sound massage.
Striking the singing bowl
The best way to strike the singing bowl is to place it on the flat of your hand or the cushion provided. Hold the striker loosely and gently strike it against the upper edge of the singing bowl. The striker should be held parallel to the rim of the bowl.
To make the singing bowl sing, rub it slowly and gently clockwise using a wooden striker or wooden striker with leather. The friction should be constant and even. The movement should not only be from the wrist, but the whole arm should move.
The term Tibetan Singing Bowl at the present time
The term Tibetan Singing Bowls originally referred to handmade singing bowls from Tibet. Tibet is regarded as the country of origin of the singing bowls, but since the occupation by China they mostly come from Nepal or Northern India now. However, the term Tibetan Singing Bowl has continued and has established itself as a trade name.
Today, the name no longer refers to the country of origin, but to the traditional manufacturing process in elaborate manual work. When you read about Tibetan Singing Bowls, you are talking about hand-forged singing bowls from the Himalayan region. Our Tibetan handmade singing bowls and our machine-made singing bowls both come from Northern India.
Online or in our store in Cologne: buy singing bowls at bodhi
If you want to buy a singing bowl, have a look at our range of singing bowls. In our bodhi shop you will find traditional handmade Tibetan singing bowls with or without engraving, machine cast singing bowls with gift box and affordable singing bowl sets. Our assortment includes small, portable singing bowls, which you can easily take with you, as well as large, elegant singing bowls, which are especially suitable for sound therapy.
Would you like to try out your singing bowl before buying? Then come to our Cologne Store & Studio. Here you can test our singing bowls in peace, listen to them and find the right one for you. We are looking forward to your visit!