Singing Bowl and Sound use in Yoga Nidra
Using Singing Bowls began for me as a way to bring students into a deeper mind state during Yoga Nidra. Soon using the bowls became as important and central to my Yoga Nidra sessions as the Yoga Nidra itself. Yoga Nidra and Sound together are a very powerful pair.
Sound as a conduit to a mind State
During a Nidra practice I will use multiple types of sound including Tibetan Bowls and Crystal Singing Bowls. The complex tones of singing bowls can deeply penetrate both body and mind. Their unique internal harmonies cut through the chatter of the mind bringing the body into the state of rest. It also brings the mind into one of the most important mind states that we aim to achieve during Yoga Nidra. This is the brain wave range known as Theta. This is one reason why the bowls make such a great companion to Nidra in my opinion.
The upper end of the theta brainwave range is of great importance to healing the body.. At 7-8 (Hertz) cycles per second our deeper intelligence, creativity and self-healing mechanisms of the body are activated. This is what is commonly referred to as “being in the zone”. Tibetan Singing Bowls can be used to put you into theta brainwave state that supports the achievement of your unique goal toward better health in mind, and body.
Theta Mind State as the optimal State for the Sessions
Theta (4-7.5Hz) — the light meditation and sleeping wave
Theta brain waves are present during deep meditation and light sleep, including the all-important REM dream state. It is the realm of your subconsciousness and only experienced momentarily as you drift off to sleep from Alpha and wake from deep sleep (from Delta).
It is said that a sense of deep spiritual connection and unity with the universe can be experienced at Theta.
Your mind’s most deep-seated programs are at Theta and it is where you experience vivid visualizations, great inspiration, profound creativity and exceptional insight. Unlike your other brain waves, the elusive voice of Theta is a silent voice.
It is at the Alpha-Theta border, from 7Hz to 8Hz, where the optimal range for visualization, mind programming and using the creative power of your mind begins. It’s the mental state which you consciously create your reality. At this frequency, you are conscious of your surroundings however your body is in deep relaxation.
It wasn’t until I later understood the connection of Theta waves that I understood why these two practices that target Theta brainwaves, also came to weave themselves together during my sessions.
Sound as Healing
AS long as there have been healers, there has been Sound Healing. Sound is at our core of who we are. We are energetic vibrational beings. Sound is something that we respond to.
“If we accept that sound is vibration and we know that vibration touches every part of our physical being, then we understand that sound is heard not only through our ears but through every cell in our bodies. One reason sound heals on a physical level is because it so deeply touches and transforms us on the emotional and spiritual planes. Sound can redress imbalances on every level of physiologic functioning and can play a positive role in the treatment of virtually any medical disorder.”
Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, director of Medical Oncology and Integrative Medicine, the Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York
After my sessions I often have students talk to me about the ways that they felt the sound of the vibration in their body. Through my experience I have seen that by using sound vibration, theta brainwaves, and intention, we can delve into parts of ourselves that we never knew existed, uproot tensions that we are ready to release, and tap into the vast and unlimited mindscape.
