'On-the-body' sound work is a relaxation therapy technique that is performed for a fully clothed client and requires no touch. In a typical session, light metal bowls are purposefully placed on and around the body and activated by striking with a padded felt mallet. The result is a soothing sound and subtle vibrato that is relaxing to the client.
Therapeutic bronze bowls are referred to as 'therapeutic' due to their unique physical properties which distribute weight more toward the bottom of the bowl than the top. This makes the vibration stronger at lower levels of the bowl. When using them as 'on body' healing tools to relax clients, the considerable vibration affects the nervous system and brain. This effect engages the nervous system to slow down, producing the calming effect.
To produce the vibration the bowl is struck or tapped with a felt mallet. This results in soft sound, yet strong vibration. Several bowls can be used throughout the on-body experience sometimes together, and sometimes separately. They each serve a different purpose, and depending upon their structure produce different sounds, and different durations or 'sustains' of sound.
As clients will tell you, the bronze bowl on-body experience is very relaxing and the resultant calm state rivals a great massage.
The history attached to singing bowls in the Himalayan region that encompasses India, Nepal and the region of China that is known as Tibet, goes back more than 2000 years. It has been estimated they were first crafted around the time of Buddha. The use of the bowls was more often as every day tools, such as for storage, cooking, etc.
Contemporary therapeutic bronze bowls are designed to specifications which provide vibration and can also produce a singing sound, also used in sound healing. To produce the more familiar high- pitched singing, a suede wrapped mallet is rubbed on the outside top 1/4 of the bowl with enough friction to induce sound.
However you experience the bronze bowl, in individual healing, group or individual sound bath, open your mind and relax to the vibration.