Breath and sound have something in common: We can not only hear or observe them, but also perceive them directly within our bodies. In everyday life, however, both often happen almost incidentally. Most people pay very little attention to their breathing in particular. Yet it can reveal a great deal about our current state. What’s also fascinating is that it happens completely automatically and, at the same time, can be consciously influenced. That is precisely what makes it a unique gateway to our body awareness.
In this post, you’ll learn what breathwork actually is and how you can combine your breathing practice with singing bowls. We’ll also take a look at what science has discovered so far about breathing and sound, and what effects both can have on your body.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is a term used today to describe a wide variety of practices in which breathing is consciously observed and/or intentionally modified. These include, for example, conscious breath awareness, slow breathing, breathing techniques involving prolonged exhalation, box breathing, traditional pranayama exercises, as well as more intensive methods such as connected or holotropic breathing. Some of these are gentle and mindful. Others are geared toward specific experiences or, at times, specific goals and can be very intense.
Even though the term “breathwork” is relatively modern, the conscious practice of breathing is by no means new. Breathing practices have been an integral part of various traditions for centuries—for example, in yoga in the form of pranayama or in various meditation practices.
Note: With all the methods available today, we place particular importance on a mindful approach in which you decide for yourself how deep you want to go and can guide your own experience without being pressured from the outside.
What is Sound (Healing) and Breathwork?
Today, the combination of sound and breathing practices is often referred to as “sound healing and breathwork.” The Singing bowl provides an additional focal point for attention; it can mark breathing phases and act as a bridge between the inner and outer worlds. At the same time, its subtle vibrations can be not only heard but also physically felt.
Through the deliberate combination of singing bowls and breathing, a connection is created between breath, sound, and body awareness—a connection that many people find soothing and relaxing.
Note: Here at Hess Sound, we deliberately avoid using the term“sound healing.”You can find out why in our article“Sound Healing: What It Is, How It Works, and Which Instruments Are Used.”
Experience Breathwork and Sound for Yourself
Would you like to experience the connection between breath and sound for yourself? At our free online sound evening, “Breathwork & Sound,” hosted by the Fachverband Klang, we combine brief guided exercises with practical breathing exercises and a guided breathing meditation, accompanied by a singing bowl. This will allow you to explore different approaches and experience firsthand how breathwork and sound can be combined.
→ Register now for the free music evening
Scientific Findings on Breathwork
Breathing practices are also increasingly becoming a focus of scientific research. Studies suggest that conscious, slow breathing, in particular, may be associated with changes in various physiological processes, as well as with a reduction in subjective stress and greater relaxation.
However, it should not be overlooked that breathwork has now become a very broad field: While some breathing techniques have already been studied relatively extensively, the body of research on others—particularly more intensive methods—remains limited. Research findings therefore cannot be readily applied to every form of breathwork.
Here you'll find studies and research findings on the effects of singing bowls.
What is the connection between breathing and the nervous system?
Our breathing has a unique feature: It happens completely automatically, yet we can consciously control it at the same time.
When we're tense or stressed, our breathing often changes as well. It can become faster or shallower, and sometimes we even hold our breath without realizing it. Conversely, we can deliberately slow down our breathing.
Research has linked slow breathing in particular to changes in various autonomic and cardiovascular processes. Above all, however, it is important that breathing practices always be tailored to the individual and the specific situation.
What effects does breathwork have on the body?
The effects of breathwork on the body depend on various factors: the specific breathing technique and its intensity, the way the practice is guided, and the individual’s physical and emotional state. In addition, the setting, duration, and prior experience may also play a role.
The speed, depth, or rhythm of our breathing can influence various physiological processes. Slow, controlled breathing has been particularly well studied: among other things, it can influence heart rate variability and the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Slowed breathing is often associated with a feeling of calm and relaxation. There are a few studies that suggest certain breathing practices can reduce the subjective experience of stress.
Intensive breathing techniques, on the other hand, can also trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. In this context, it is particularly important that the practice be guided in such a way that you can decide for yourself at any time how deep you want to go and can control your own process independently. For this reason, the effects of breathwork cannot be generalized to all breathing methods.
But what changes when the sound of a singing bowl is added to the conscious awareness of the breath? Sound and vibration broaden the focus and open up new possibilities for supporting the practice of breathing.
Breathwork & Sound: Why Singing Bowls and Breathing Go So Well Together
In breathwork practices, the focus is initially on the breath itself: How does it feel? Where can you feel movement in your body? What does inhaling and exhaling sound like?
The singing bowl can introduce an additional level of perception here: its sound and vibrations.
These can serve as additional anchors, repeatedly bringing your attention back to the here and now. How is the sound produced? How does it change? Where in the body can you feel the vibrations? When has the sound completely faded away?
Whether in a session or at home during self-practice, you can consciously play with your focus: As a participant, you can shift your attention between your breath and the sound—staying fully with your breath at one moment, then perceiving the sound and its vibrations, or even observing how both are experienced simultaneously. As a facilitator, you can guide these shifts in a targeted way, for example by first inviting participants to explore their breath and later introducing the singing bowl as an additional anchor to help them stay present. In this way, sound can complement the breathwork practice at specific moments.
How can singing bowls be used in breathwork?
Singing bowls can complement a breathwork session in various ways. We find their use particularly effective in situations where sound is given a specific purpose.
If you’d like some initial ideas on how to incorporate breathwork and singing bowls into your home practice or professional work, sign up for the free online sound evening “Breathwork & Sound” with Kathrin.
Who should not practice breathwork?
Not all breathwork practices are equally suitable for everyone. Special caution is advised, for example, in cases of cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, pregnancy, certain respiratory conditions, or severe mental health disorders. If you have any existing health conditions, you should seek medical advice and adjust the exercise accordingly.
In general, your own experience should also be the main focus. What works well for one person and feels right may be perceived very differently by another.
Conclusion: Breathwork and Sound
Breathwork and singing bowls can complement each other wonderfully: Breathing guides you inward, while sound and vibration open up an additional level of perception. There isn’t just one “right” way. Try out what feels right for you, stay curious, and let your own experience take center stage.
Studies and Further Research
Fincham et al. (2023): Effect of Breathwork on Stress and Mental Health – A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (Meta-analysis on breathwork, subjective stress experience, and mental health) PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36624160/
Zaccaro et al. (2018): How Breath Control Can Change Your Life – A Systematic Review of the Psychophysiological Correlates of Slow Breathing (systematic review on slow breathing and psychophysiological correlates) PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30245619/
Cai et al. (2025): Therapeutic Effects of Singing Bowls—A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies (Current systematic review of clinical research on singing bowls) PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40352083/
Walter & Hinterberger (2022): Neurophysiological Effects of a Singing Bowl Massage (Study of the neurophysiological effects of a professional sound massage; measurements included EEG, ECG, and respiration, among others) PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35630011/