| Tibetan singing bowls originated in the Himalayan | | | | have to circle for a while before you actually hear |
| regions of Tibet, Northern China, India, Bhutan, and | | | | anything. You will begin to hear a slight hum, and this |
| Nepal. Historians are unable to pinpoint exactly when | | | | hum will increase as you continue circling the stick |
| singing bowls came into being, but the technique to | | | | around the bowl.Singing bowls are often used for |
| build similar instruments existed in Asia as long as 2,500 | | | | meditation, and you can play your bowl while |
| years ago. Some sources believe that singing bowls | | | | meditating yourself. You can also ask someone else to |
| were first used in India 3,000 years ago, and in Tibet | | | | play the bowl while you are meditating. Singing bowls |
| 1,000 years ago. It is believed that the "Bon" sect of | | | | are often used in yoga classes as well. In a yoga class |
| shamans often used singing bowls in their rituals.Singing | | | | someone would sit in the class to play the bowl while |
| bowls were originally comprised of five, seven, or nine | | | | the students go through the asanas. This is a nice |
| different metals including gold, silver, mercury, copper, | | | | addition to any yoga class, and is more soothing than |
| tin, and iron. Some also believe that meteorite was | | | | the recorded music that many yoga classes |
| used in making the original bowls. But most bowls | | | | use.Singing bowls are wonderful to use in outside |
| were made using five metals or less.Today, singing | | | | environments and for yourself at home. They are |
| bowls are often made by pouring metal into a cast. | | | | becoming more and more popular in the west, along |
| These singing bowls are smoother and are generally | | | | with yoga and Buddhism. When you are not playing |
| easier to play. There are also hand-hammered singing | | | | your singing bowl, it still serves as a beautiful |
| bowls on the market. Hand-hammered bowls are | | | | decoration for your home. In Tibet singing bowls are |
| more difficult to play, and even though they are often | | | | often used for other purposes, such as offering bowls, |
| passed off as old or antique, few of them are. Antique | | | | as well as for playing.Sylvia is the co-owner of Hinky |
| bowls are still around, but they are very rare and | | | | Import, |
| high-priced.Playing a singing bowl is very simple, and | | | | which offers singing |
| you will be able to play most bowls in less than five | | | | bowls and Chinese gifts. |
| minutes. Simply circle the stick around the outside of | | | | She has been a frequent traveler to Tibet and China. |
| the bowl very slowly in a steady rhythm. You might | | | | |