Overview of singing bowls for sound therapy

Peter Hess has not only succeeded in manufacturing Singing Bowls of the highest quality, but he has also managed to optimize the manufacturing process in such a way that certain types of Singing Bowls have been created that address certain areas of the body particularly well. To put it simply, the deeper sounds mainly address the lower areas of the body, whereas the higher sounds are particularly well perceived in the upper half of the body.

Peter Hess has achieved a masterpiece with the targeted production of Singing Bowl types, because normally Singing Bowls are only classified into certain types afterwards. Over the years, this has also led to the development of concepts for sound methods and the implementation of scientific studies. 

Below, we provide you with an overview of the different Singing Bowl types and their areas of application. You will also learn which Therapy Singing Bowls are particularly suitable for beginners and which are used in professional sound therapy.

As the name "Universal Bowl" suggests, this Singing Bowl, with its particularly extensive frequency spectrum between 100–2,800 Hz, addresses the entire body. This makes it the ideal "entry-level Singing Bowl" that can be used universally. 

In addition, the Universal Bowl has a particularly intensive vibration behavior, which is why it can be used in sound massage and sound methods to release blockages and tension. Visually, this Singing Bowl has an open shape, has a thin edge and has a diameter of about 21–22 cm and a weight of 900–1,000 g. Depending on which mallet is used to strike it, a different main sound range is produced.

In the context of professional sound work, but especially for private use, a mallet set consisting of a large, medium and small felt mallet, each with a different degree of hardness, is recommended. This opens up particularly diverse application possibilities for this Singing Bowl, especially in the context of self-application of sound exercises.

Overview

• Body area: Entire body
• Frequency spectrum: Between 100–2,800 Hz
• Sound: Different main sound range depending on the mallet used
• Special properties: Particularly intensive vibration behaviour for targeted use to release blockages and tension, especially in joints
• Diameter: approx. 21–22 cm
• Weight: 900–1,000 g
• Recommended mallets: Mallet set consisting of a large, medium and small felt mallet with different degrees of hardness

With its deep tones of 100–1,000 Hz, the pelvic bowl particularly appeals to the lower abdomen and lower back. Its sound is often described as particularly "grounding". Its deep sounds, which can be heard by striking it with a large felt mallet, particularly appeal to the pelvic area. If, on the other hand, this type of bowl is made to sound with a medium-hard felt mallet, frequencies are produced that are perceived as particularly pleasant and intense in the area of the solar plexus (area above the navel).

The Small Pelvic Bowl, which was primarily developed for working with children, weighs about 1500 g and has a diameter of 25–26 cm. In professional sound work, it is also used for people for whom the Large Pelvic Bowl is too heavy. This is because it has a considerable weight of approximately 2,000 g with a diameter of 28–29 cm.

Overview

• Body area: Pelvic area, lower abdomen, solar plexus and lower back
• Frequency spectrum: 100–1,000 Hz
• Sound: Deep sound that is often described as "grounding"
• Special Features: The Small Pelvic Bowl was primarily developed for working with children or is used with people for whom the Large Pelvic Bowl is too heavy.
• Diameter: Small Pelvic Bowl 25–26 cm | Large Pelvic Bowl 28–29 cm
• Weight: Small Pelvic Bowl 1,500 g | Large Pelvic Bowl 2,000 g
• Recommended mallets: Large felt mallet for deep sounds (pelvic area), medium-hard felt mallet for higher sounds (solar plexus)

Here too, the name reveals the body area that is particularly well addressed by the high tones of 200–1,200 Hz. The sound of the heart Singing Bowl is often described as very warm and bright. As the heart area is a particularly sensitive area of the body, this Singing Bowl was designed in its vibration behavior to sound rather gentle. Here, too, there is a large and a small version.

The Small Heart Bowl, originally developed for working with children, has proven to be a valuable addition to professional sound work with its bright tones. The Large Heart Bowl is easily recognizable by its thick rim. With a weight of 1,300 g, it has a diameter of 21–22 cm. In terms of sound, it is significantly more voluminous than the small version. Depending on the mallet used – medium or small felt mallet – frequencies of 200–1,200 Hz can be elicited from this Singing Bowl. The Small Heart Bowl, which is usually played with the small felt mallet, has a similarly thin rim as the Universal Bowl, weighs about 600–650 g and has a diameter of approximately 16 cm.

Overview

• Body area: Heart area, chest area on the front and back of the body, area of the shoulder blades and the base of the neck
• Frequency spectrum: 200–1,200 Hz
• Sound: High tones, very warm and bright
• Special properties: Very gentle vibration behavior for the sensitive heart area
• Diameter: Small Heart Bowl 16 cm | Large Heart Bowl 21–22 cm
• Weight: Small Heart Bowl 600–650 g | Large Heart Bowl 1,300 g
• Recommended mallets: Medium or small felt mallet, for the Small Heart Bowl usually a smaller felt mallet

The head Singing Bowl is available in a wide, more open form and in a bulbous form, in which the walls are slightly inclined inwards. Both have a high sound. The sound of the Wide Head Singing Bowl is usually a little more lively. This Singing Bowl mainly addresses the forehead and sinuses well and can be used specifically for specific problems with the appropriate background knowledge and training.

The Wide Head Bowl has a diameter of about 14 cm and weighs 250–300 g. The Curved Head Bowl weighs slightly more at 260–320 g, but is slightly smaller in diameter at 12 cm.

Overview

• Body area: Forehead and sinuses
• Sound: High sound, the sound of the wide head Singing Bowl is a little more lively
• Special Features: Curved Head Bowl is often used in the wellness and beauty sector for facial treatments.
• Diameter: Wide Head Bowl approximately 14 cm | Curved Head Bowl approximately 12 cm
• Weight: Wide Head Bowl 250–300 g | Curved Head Bowl 260–320 g
• Recommended mallets: Small mallet with hard felt head

The Throat Bowl – also known as the décolleté Singing Bowl – was developed as a supplement for professional sound work. It has a diameter of 17 cm and a weight of 600–680 g and differs from the Small Heart Bowl visually by a thickened rim and a more open shape. Members of healing and related professions such as curative educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, or also physiotherapists use this Singing Bowl specifically for their work. In the cosmetics and wellness sector, it is also referred to as a décolleté Singing Bowl and is used specifically for relaxation and stimulation of this part of the body.

Overview

• Body area: Upper chest area
• Sound: High sound
• Special properties: Thickened rim and a more open shape, especially used by healing and specialist healing professions such as curative education teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists or also physiotherapists as well as in the cosmetics and wellness area for relaxation and stimulation of the décolleté
• Diameter: About 17 cm
• Weight: 600–680 g
• Recommended mallets: Small felt mallet and small mallet with hard felt head

Here, too, the name reveals the area of the body that this Singing Bowl serves particularly well. The Solar Plexus Bowl with a diameter of about 23.5 cm and a weight of 1,200 g forms a gradation between Universal Bowl and Small Pelvic Bowl and was developed for use in professional sound work.

With its characteristic sound and vibration pattern, it particularly addresses the upper abdominal and stomach area, a part of the body that is particularly sensitive to stress in many people. The sounds of this Singing Bowl can be particularly relaxing and soothing here.

Overview

• Body area: Solar plexus – upper abdomen and stomach area
• Sound: Deep sound, lies between Universal Bowl and Large Pelvic Bowl
• Special Features: Forms a gradation between the Universal Bowl and the Small Pelvic Bowl.
• Diameter: About 23.5 cm
• Weight: 1,200 g
• Recommended mallets: Large and medium felt mallet

The XL Singing Bowl is a real heavyweight with a diameter of 35–53 cm and a weight of 5–12 kg. It is very often used for attunement, but can also be used by appropriate specialists to specifically stimulate blood circulation or relax or "straighten" the spine. Accordingly, it is often found in physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices or clinics.

Overview

• Body area: Entire body
• Sound: Deep, voluminous sound
• Special properties: Clients can stand in the Singing Bowl and experience the sound vibrations throughout their body
• Diameter: Approximately 35–53 cm
• Weight: 5–12 kg
• Recommended mallets: Optionally from the ollihess series Profi Gong Mallets

The XL Singing Bowl is a true masterpiece of the blacksmith's art. It is extremely difficult to produce a Singing Bowl in the high-quality of a Therapy Singing Bowl with a size of 53–84 cm in diameter. This is because the brittle bronze becomes increasingly sensitive with increasing size and weight and breaks easily during the forging process. Peter Hess is particularly proud of this type of bowl, because with a weight of 60 kg and a diameter of over 80 cm, he has succeeded in producing the largest forged Singing Bowl in the world!

Overview

• Body area: Entire body
• Sound: Deep, voluminous sound
• Special properties: Clients can stand in the Singing Bowl and experience the sound vibrations throughout their body
• Diameter: Approximately 53–84 cm
• Weight: 60 kg
• Recommended mallets: Optionally from the ollihess series Basic or Profi Gong Mallet with a long handle