sound bowl therapy

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Sound bowls are ancient tools used for healing and meditation. They are one of the oldest known tools for meditation practice and ceremony used to balance and unite the mind and body. They serve as a helpful tool during meditation when we hold our focus on the tonal sound and the feel of the sound within our body as we sit, listen, and feel the moment. We often use sound bowls during Thai Bodywork sessions to help enhance the client's reception of the body and energy work. When a bowl is placed on the body and played, the vibration and resonance can be felt by every cell. This sound and resonance whether being heard, felt or both can help entrain our brain waves to a calm Alpha state of wakeful rest or a deeper Theta state where we are so relaxed our consciousness is on the verge of fading. Both states bring a sense of deep calm and peacefulness to our nervous system, decreasing our stress hormones to the point of inducing a meditative experience of internal focus, allowing our intuitive sense to awaken. Lingering in these states of being, opens the door for us to experience mental or emotional clarity, epiphanies, creative inspiration, new ideas, intuitive messages, or answers to questions about issues we may be internally struggling with, as well as inner reflection without guilt or judgment. Most of all, in these peaceful flow states, is where intentional, innate healing can occur.

Even though we may consciously want to heal, we may be subconsciously resisting our natural healing responses due to high or chronic stress levels and nervous tension. Our body and mind can find themselves in a chronic state of “fight or flight” due to chronic stress and overreact to everyday stressors or persistent worries, leaving our natural healing ability far from reach. Our body is too busy sending stress hormones into our bloodstream, tensing our muscles, raising our heart rate and blood pressure, putting us on edge. It may become such a usual response that we do not even notice these changes. The short and long-term effects of chronic stress and nervous tension can have adverse effects on our health, contributing to physical and psychological imbalances and illness. The best way to counter this chronic stress response is by intentionally eliciting the relaxation response. 

The more often a relaxation response occurs in our body the better we find ourselves equipped to reduce chronic stress and combat our ailments. We can improve our health and wellbeing. We can bring a sense of calm and better balance to our lives. We are able to alter our autonomic nervous system’s response to stress, by intentionally and repeatedly inducing a relaxation response in our body. There are many ways to invite this response. Here at Two Birds Healing Arts Center, we use bodywork, massage, yoga, meditation, and sound resonance therapies. Any of these therapies, especially when done over time with consistency, can influence our nervous system in positive ways to help us better deal with everyday stress and ailments. ☮