What to Expect
Benefits of meditation include:
• Balanced energy systems
• Increased blood circulation
• Reduced blood pressure
• Increased brain function
• Balanced hormone production and distribution
• Improved lymph system function
• Deep calm and stress relief
• Increased pain threshold and tolerance
• Mental clarity
• Physical relaxation
• Released fears and anxiety
• Improved sleep patterns
• Physical, mental, and emotional healing
• Reduced desires in addiction
• Balanced appetite
With singing bowls these effects are achieved faster and last longer than with meditation alone. People experience the benefits of a successful meditation in a single session.
In all singing bowl sessions
In addition to the benefits listed, people generally report a sense of wellbeing and deep meditation. Any session longer than about 10 minutes also leaves most participants with what could be called a lucid high that lasts for hours or days.
During sessions there are sometimes physical sensations in the body, emotional fluctuations, agitation, disorientation, or discomfort. These are a normal part of human experience that are somewhat accelerated by the vibrations of the bowls. For reasons why this happens see How Sound Heals. Whatever you are experiencing during a singing bowl session whether it is thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations, the best approach is to just let it be. Don't focus on it. It will pass. If the bowls are causing you severe discomfort or pain you should say something and the song can be changed.
Hey Kelly,
I loved the meditation session! Thank you so much.
[My friend that came with me] slept 10 hours that night and it lasted for 5 days. She has sleep issues & often can't sleep more than a couple of hours in a row.
Laura Baker Boulder, CO
In a Public Meditation/Concert
Participants are encouraged to make themselves comfortable. Bring a pillow, blanket, bolster, or mat to lie on. It is acceptable to move around and even speak during the session.
A singing bowl meditation is generally about an hour. Depending on the intention of the meditation there may be a short introduction at the beginning of the session and or a discussion at the end. Singing bowls are played almost continuously throughout the session. Occasionally I may say something during the session but generally there is just the bowls playing. The bowl selection for a meditation is done within an hour prior to the mediation. Consideration for selecting the bowls is primarily intuition.
After a meditation most people report mental clarity, relaxation, and a sense of peace and calm. Some people report continued emotional fluctuations, agitation, or discomfort for a period of time. People who report discomfort after a meditation session say that they have been working on an issue. After the perturbation, these people feel a huge sense of relief.
The effects of an hour of mediation with singing bowls can last for days. Most people sleep very well even days after a meditation. Some people report feeling excited and not needing much sleep the first night but then very good sleep patterns return. The benefits listed above can last for days or weeks.
Hello Kelly, I am writing this to sincerely thank you for our sessions. I was at first skeptical of singing bowl therapy, but your professional approach and expert utilization of the bowls quickly dissuaded any skepticism I had. Your guidance into my inner emotions was amazing. That partnered with the resonance of the bowls melted so much fear and self judgement that I was unknowingly harboring. I have stepped out of this therapy much more at home in my skin! I reccomend these sessions to anyone trying to cross the emotional highway of life to come back to their own truth! Thanks again.
Patrick D. Emrich RN Director of Medical Surgical Pediatrics Longmont United Hospital, Longmont, CO
In a Private Healing Session
A private session is generally done in the client's home so the person doesn't have to travel after the session and so the home itself gets the energy of the bowls. It is best to work on the floor but not required. Soft comfortable clothing is recommended. The space should be well heated rather than using many layers of clothing or blankets. Pets, children, partners, and guests are allowed to participate but depending on the intentions, it may no be not recommended.
A day before a private session there is a consultation where we discuss the issue(s) and goals of the session. There is always a clear intention of some kind. Bowls are selected to support that intention. Depending on what is being addressed I may bring essential oils, herbs, and or hot rock salt to assist in the release of resonant emotional energy and for increased comfort.
At the beginning of the session there is another discussion to deepen clarity about what is to be accomplished. This discussion includes what suggestions I may make during the session. Suggestions and guidance during deep meditation is one of the fastest ways to disrupt undesirable thought habits and assist in the release of trauma. See How Sound Heals for a discussion of how thoughts are involved in healing.
During a private session bowls are played almost constantly of an hour or more. Frequently the client will have an impulse to speak or move around. This behavior is encouraged as emotions and thoughts reveal themselves as part of the issue. The song played may change as a result of this conversation.
There is another discussion after the session to review the intention and go over next steps toward long term solutions. Effects of a healing session may include changes is sleep patterns, changes in physical health, changes in emotional mood, and/or changes in mental clarity. Depending on the issues being addressed and the willingness of the client to change thought habits, a single session can yield permanent changes. In any case there is always a check-in with the client within a few days. The benefits listed above can last for days or weeks.
Kelly and his singing Bowls...well what can I say...difficult to put the experience into words...Kelly played for me four times during my third trimester of pregnancy...so magical...everytime I could feel myself go deep within and something different would emerge on the other side...always a clearing for me to feel something at a deeper level...did having the experience of the singing bowls assist in my labor and birth?...I have no doubt about it...the vibration and clearing that I experienced every session spoke directly to my body and the baby's...I am so thrilled to have had this experience during my pregnancy...thank you Kelly
Tiffany Panzera, Longmont, Colorado
In a Private Prenatal Session
The intention of a prenatal session is quite different than that of a healing session. There is very little resistance to change since the creation of a new human is all about change. If there are health issues being addressed the session may proceed more like a healing session above.
A prenatal session is generally done in the client's home so the person doesn't have to travel after the session and so the home itself gets the energy of the bowls. It is best to work on the floor but not required. Soft comfortable clothing is recommended. The space should be well heated rather than using many layers of clothing or blankets. Pets, children, partners, and guests are allowed to participate.
Before the session there is a discussion about how the pregnancy is progressing, any physical issues, and additional intentions. Bowls are selected based on trimester, issues and intentions. The selection process is partly intuitive.
During a private session bowls are played almost constantly of an hour or more. Frequently the client will have an impulse to speak or move around. This behavior is encouraged as emotions and thoughts reveal themselves. The song played can change as a result of these conversations. There is generally not much input from me except to check in and see if everyone of happy and comfortable.
After the session I will check in to see if there is anything more to discuss. Effects of a prenatal session may include changes is sleep patterns, changes in physical health, changes in emotional mood, and/or changes in mental clarity. The benefits listed above can last for days or weeks.
I meant to thank you for your harmonic addition to Wednesday's yoga class! I felt like I could run a mile for about 24 hours afterwards... incredible! Thank you!
Abbie Lee Jefferson, Fort Collins, CO
In a Yoga Class
The intention of a yoga class is always to move energy in our bodies. Singing bowls are a remarkable adjunct to this process. The bowls start at the beginning of class and end when the class is over. The class is generally slower than normal. Postures tend to be held longer. There is often a longer meditation at the beginning and savasana at the end. If you feel disorientated or some intense energy movement, it is advisable to take child's pose and breathe until it passes. Effects of a Yoga class with singing bowls are what you would expect from any yoga class plus the effects of a singing bowl meditation. The benefits above can last for days or weeks.