Sound Healing Instruments – Types Uses And How They Work

By now, you must be knowing how sound healing affects each and every cell in the human body. Additionally, the mental and spiritual benefits are also proven. However, many of you may still be wondering how sound healing instruments actually work. And how many types of sound healing instruments exist?

So, in this blog, you will get to know about the types, uses and how they work.

Types Of Sound Healing Instruments Decoded

• Singing Bowls

This is one of the most common sound healing tools associated with the practice. And you will come across metal ones and crystal ones. Tibetan, Chinese, Himalayan and Buddhist traditions have propagated the use of singing bowls, since old times. When you strike the rim of the singing bowls, with a mallet, several frequencies of sounds emanate. You can either play one bowl at a time, or multiple singing bowls This creates contrasting tones align with several body and mental aspects. Metal bowls come in alloys, where each one has a different composition.

The crystal bowls are mainly made from quartz, and produce sharper and more prominent sounds, compared to metal bowls. The lingering sound creates the right, distraction-free environment for the attendees of a sound healing session. Crystal bowls are more apt for large immersive sound bath concerts.

• Gongs

Gongs are counted amongst the best sound healing instruments. These produce deep sounds, with complex waves of resonance. Resonant sounds send waves through the body’s tissues and surrounding air, allowing a calmer response. The nervous system shifts from the stressed state to calmer and relaxed states. Most sound healing practitioners use these gongs for group sound baths where there are immersive participants.

• Koshi And Wind Chimes

Amongst the tools used in sound healing, koshi chimes are one of the most natural, handcrafted musical instruments. The chimes are tuned in keeping with the four elements of nature – wind, air, fire, and water. When you swing the koshi chime, by holding the chord, it produces harmonious sounds that relax you.

Devised in the form of tubes, rods and bells, they may be made from metals or wood. When you hang them, the hanging elements strike one another in response to the breeze and create sounds. Wind chimes have been around for thousands of years, as sound healing tools and décor, too. The sounds produced have a healing effect on the mind, body, and soul.

• Tuning Forks

These are metal forks, made up of two prongs held by a common stem. When you activate them physically, they produce sound frequencies which align with energy centres having similar frequencies. You will come across different varieties of forks, like musical ones, weighted forks, unweighted forks, and frequency specific forks. You have to activate the fork with an activator, to produce the intended sound which develops slowly and then fades. Particular tuning fork frequencies can heal you physically and mentally.

• Shamanic Drums

These play a special role in healing and spiritualism. The sounds that the shamanic drums produce have the power to uplift and restore balance. You will be amazed to know that such drums hold a lot of cultural significance across tribes. The drumhead may be made from the hide of goats, elks, or deer. Vegan hide drums are also available today, which replicate the sounds produced by the real hide drums.

• Seed Shaker Instruments

While taking about the best sound healing instruments, the conversations remain incomplete without a mention of seed shakers. Each one of the seeds comes from different plants, and differ in shape, size and texture. Thus, you can hear a variety of frequencies and notes from different such seed shaker instruments. The different seed shakers are Pangi shakers, Pala shakers, and Kenari shakers, to name a few. If you prefer natural sounds, over singing bowls’ resonance, seed shakers are apt. Those who are starting their sound healing journey will find seed shakers easy to use. Just playing one, and listening to the sound relaxes you, so you can carry it as a personal sound healing instrument.

How Do Sound Healing Instruments Work?

Learning sound healing professionally teaches you concepts, which gives you a clear idea about how to use such tools. For now, learn how it works in a gist.

• The first one is resonance, which says that every object vibrates at a certain frequency. When sound frequencies match the specific ones, healing occurs.
• Cymatics is another concept, according to which sound waves can cause molecules of matter to organise in harmonious sequences.
• Sound waves and specific frequencies have been shown to influence brain waves, heart rate and respiration.
• Different frequencies have different healing effects, like physical, mental or spiritual.

You will come across different techniques, in which sound healing instruments are used.

Techniques Of Sound Healing

• Individual Sessions – You will come across individual sessions, where a healer or sound therapy practitioner conducts personalised healing.
• Sound Baths – These are more immersive in nature, and suitable for group settings. The vibrations will help you to relax after a strenuous session of yoga or meditation.
• Binaural Beats – You will hear two different beats, and the brain converts into a new beat. The process promotes clear thinking, pain relief, and healing.
• Guided Meditation – These help in deepening your meditative practices.

You can check out different techniques and then zero down on one that promotes maximum healing. Most importantly, you must rope in a qualified sound healer who can give you the best.

Conclusion

Sound healing is a very ancient practice and tribals have been using this technique for thousands of years. When you understand the different sound healing instruments and know when to use one, benefits are multiplied. Sound healing therapy is a holistic approach towards wellness which brings about the union of your mind, body and spirit. Low tones are more relaxing, while prominent and loud ones are uplifting. Sound healing is similar to music-based therapies, so you can expect the very best outcomes from it in healing practices and as complementary resources in yoga and meditation.