What are the benefits of Tibetan bowls?

Scientific studies have shown that sound massage with Tibetan bowls, frequently used in meditation and sound therapy, can offer physical and mental health benefits.

Deep physical relaxation

Tibetan bowls are not only beneficial for mental health; they also offer physiological benefits. They have been shown to induce physiological relaxation responses, such as reduced body tension and improved heart rate regulation (Walter & Hinterberger, 2022). One study presented that the sounds emitted by these bowls have a resonance capable of stimulating deep relaxation, which is essential for overall physiological well-being (Bergmann et al., 2020).

Among the physical benefits noted, Tibetan bowls have been associated with reducing chronic pain, improving sleep quality, lowering blood pressure and respiratory rate. The vibrations of the bowls can penetrate the body and promote relaxation at the cellular level. Some studies also show a reduction in overall brain activity, leading to a feeling of physical well-being.

Reduced stress and anxiety

Regular use of Tibetan bowls is reputed to induce deep, lasting relaxation. The sounds they produce are particularly effective in rapidly achieving a state of relaxation, more marked than with other relaxation methods. In addition, a systematic review confirmed that sound therapy, including the use of Tibetan bowls, contributes to a reduction in tension and anxiety levels in various groups of participants. These results support the idea that Tibetan bowls are an effective tool for managing behavioral and emotional stress. The technique is also used to balance the chakras and improve the body's energy flow.

Reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms

Studies also show that Tibetan bowls can promote improvements in mental health. For example, analysis has shown that these interventions can lead to reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms (Goldsby et al., 2022)Lin et al., 2025). Similarly, their effects on spiritual and emotional well-being have been documented, suggesting significant correlations between bowl use and improved emotional quality of life (Goldsby et al., 2022).

Improved awareness and concentration

The use of Tibetan bowls in meditation practices also contributes to better concentration and self-awareness. Immersion in the sounds of the bowls promotes a state of mindfulness, enabling practitioners to better connect with their bodies and emotions (Wostyn & Goddaer, 2022). This is reinforced by studies which attest that meditative practices, including those using Tibetan bowls, can improve attention and awareness when integrated into wellness programs (Das et al., 2025).

Precautions

The benefits of singing bowls are undeniable. There are, however, a few contraindications and/or precautions to be taken before using them.

List of precautions/contraindications for sound massage with Tibetan bowls.

My choice of practitioner

As a practitioner, I offer sound massage with Tibetan bowls as an aid to relaxation, to facilitate the release of physical and mental tensions.

Scientific bibliography

Bergmann, M., Riedinger, S., Stefani, A., Mitterling, T., Holzknecht, E., Grassmayr, P., ... & Högl, B. (2020). Effects of singing bowl exposure on karolinska sleepiness scale and pupillographic sleepiness test: a randomised crossover study. Plos One, 15(6), e0233982. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233982

Das, D., Deb, N., & Choudhury, S. (2025). Tetrahedral feature map for analyzing meditative states in prenatal eeg. Engineering Research Express, 7(2), 025239. https://doi.org/10.1088/2631-8695/add4c3

Gal, H. and Elefant, C. (2024). A qualitative pilot study examining tibetan bowls and monochord sound meditation with adults with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities. Approaches an Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.56883/aijmt.2024.320

Goldsby, T., Goldsby, M., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. (2022). Sound healing: mood, emotional, and spiritual well-being interrelationships. Religions, 13(2), 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020123

Lin, F., Yang, Y., & Wang, J. (2025). Effects of tibetan singing bowl intervention on psychological and physiological health in adults: a systematic review. Healthcare, 13(16), 2002. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13162002

Río-Álamos, C., Montefusco-Siegmund, R., Cañete, T., Sotomayor, J., & Fernández-Teruel, A. (2023). Acute relaxation response induced by tibetan singing bowl sounds: a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education, 13(2), 317-330. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13020024

Walter, N. and Hinterberger, T. (2022). Neurophysiological effects of a singing bowl massage. Medicina, 58(5), 594. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58050594

Wostyn, P. and Goddaer, P. (2022). Can meditation-based approaches improve the cleansing power of the glymphatic system? Explor Neuroprot Ther, 110-117. https://doi.org/10.37349/ent.2022.00022