
Singing bowls, commonly referred to as Tibetan bowls or Himalayan bowls by spas and wellness centers, are increasingly being utilized in sound therapy and relaxation practices, as their harmonious and resonant sounds bring about a calming environment.
Log in to view the full article
Singing bowls, commonly referred to as Tibetan bowls or Himalayan bowls by spas and wellness centers, are increasingly being utilized in sound therapy and relaxation practices, as their harmonious and resonant sounds bring about a calming environment.
“The Tibetan bowl is not just a musical instrument, but a powerful tool for meditation and healing that helps align our energy fields,” said Diana Villalobos, manager of Bearth Spa at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection in Costa Rica. “Its craftsmanship is an art; there are various types, and they involve the alloy of different metals, each associated with a planet. This combination of metals not only gives the Tibetan bowl its unique tone, but also its vibrational potential for healing and balance.”
The bowls’ vibrations and energetic properties have a positive impact on both physical and mental health, as the vibrations generate sound waves that resonate throughout the body, promoting deep relaxation, reducing stress and balancing energies.
“Tibetan bowls play a significant role in sound therapy sessions; we use them in both individual and group sound therapies, as well as in private yoga sessions,” said Villalobos. “It is incredibly rewarding to observe and feel the energy with which our clients leave after each session.”
At the Lodge at Woodloch, located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Vanessa Hernandez, leads a class called Shamanic Serenity: Guided Meditation & Hands-on Healing, where she uses singing bowls to guide guests into deep relaxation and energy alignment.
“The bowls open and close sacred space, clear stagnant energy, and establish a container for energy healing, supporting guests in reaching a grounded, mindful state,” she said.
In another class, “Crystals and Stones,” the bowls cleanse the stones and guide participants back to the present when they become too focused on the mind rather than the body’s energy.
“In individual healing sessions, bowls are used directly on the body to loosen tension, reduce anxiety and help clients reach a deeper, receptive state for healing,” said Hernandez. “The same applies for Couple’s Soul Connection session where bowls are used to help harmonize the energy between the two individuals.”
Related: Using Crystal Singing Bowls for Sound Therapy
Variety is Key
There are various types of singing bowls primarily classified by their size, material and tone. For example, traditional Tibetan bowls are made from a blend of seven metals—copper, tin, zinc, iron, lead, silver and gold—each contributing unique healing properties. They are commonly used in sound therapy to alleviate stress and enhance relaxation during meditation. These bowls also support energy healing modalities, such as Reiki, and enrich therapeutic massage sessions.
Modern Metal Bowls, typically crafted from stainless steel or other alloys, provide a clear and resonant tone and serve similar functions in wellness practices. Although not as popular, planetary bowls are tuned to planetary frequencies, and used for astrology and energy healing. Then, there are crystal bowls, which produce higher and more vibrant tones, ideal for working with subtle energies and upper chakras. When multiple bowls are played together, they create binaural beats, which support meditative states, emotional release and experiences such as visions or physical shifts.
“The resonance can evoke memories, inspire creative thoughts, or even bring emotions to the surface, allowing guests to explore and release what may be held in their body and mind,” said Hernandez.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia provides an immersive wellness experience that incorporates crystal singing bowls before and after treatments. Each treatment room is named after a gemstone—carnelian, citrine, rhodonite, amethyst, malachite, turquoise and kyanite—and features singing bowls crafted from the same crystal.
“This thoughtfully designed portion of the treatment enhances the unique ambiance of each treatment room, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the vibrational energy of the gemstones,” said Stephanie Cherbakow-Baron, director of spa for The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. “Each bowl produces distinct tonalities and sound depths, which contributes to a comprehensive therapeutic experience.”
Kat Ruiz, head of fitness and memberships at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa in Montauk, N.Y., uses crystal bowls with a Chakra attached to each bowl as part of the spa’s weekly seaside sound baths, which offer participants the ability to drop into a deeper state of relaxation very quickly.
“Singing bowls are a very unique offering in the wellness space and there are endless possibilities in their use,” she said. “I have had participants with chronic pain leave pain free. I have had trauma released, creativity spurred, and a dream like state achieved. Every participant has a different experience, which makes sound healing a very special practice. Something we are working on offering is a floating sound bath in the seawater pool.”
Understanding Frequency
Sound frequency is fundamental in singing bowl therapy, as each sound has a specific frequency that affects the body and mind in different ways, directly impacting each of one’s energy centers.
“When played, these frequencies create a harmonious environment conducive to healing, relaxation and emotional balance,” said Cherbakow-Baron. “The vibrations can help release blocked energy and foster a sense of peace.”
Hernandez noted these frequencies bypass the brain’s usual activity, helping guests connect more fully with the present moment. “This effect is especially beneficial for those managing anxiety or trauma, as it restores harmony to the brain and nervous system, making it easier to access and process deep-seated emotions,” she said. “Singing bowls can provide therapeutic benefits for conditions like ADD, trauma, and anxiety by promoting balance within the brain and body.”
Scientific Evidence
While scientific research on singing bowls is somewhat limited; several studies have shown that the sound and vibration of singing bowls help reduce stress and anxiety by decreasing the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.
“They also help improve sleep by promoting deep relaxation and reducing brain activity, and aid in pain relief by stimulating the production of endorphins and distracting the mind from pain,” said Villalobos.
What’s more the Sound Healing Research Foundation has documented studies showing that sound healing can calm brain activity, support mental clarity and reduce stress levels. “The calming effects of sound therapy have been increasingly acknowledged within wellness industry,” said Cherbakow-Baron.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based award-winning journalist who has been writing for major publications for close to 20 years on topics as diverse as healthcare, travel and food. He started his career with the Associated Press and has held high editorial positions at publications aimed at entertainment, sports and healthcare.