Frequently Asked Questions

Sound is a form of energy that is produced when an object vibrates, creating waves of pressure that travel through a medium, such as air, water, or solids. These waves are detected by our ears and interpreted by our brain, allowing us to perceive sound.

Sound healing is a gentle, holistic therapy that uses vibrations from instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and tuning forks to promote deep relaxation and support healing on a physical, emotional, and mental level.
At its core, sound healing is based on the idea that everything in the universe—including our bodies—vibrates at specific frequencies. When these vibrations become imbalanced, we may experience stress, illness, or emotional discomfort. Through sound, we can realign these frequencies, restoring harmony and well-being from within.

Gemstones are often used in sound healing to enhance and personalize the experience. Each gemstone holds a unique energetic frequency that can amplify the healing effects, supporting specific areas like the chakras, emotional release, or spiritual connection.

Together, sound and crystal energy create a powerful, soothing practice that encourages the body’s natural ability to heal, offering peace, clarity, and balance.

Vibration is energy in motion. It’s what creates sound, what we feel when we move through a space, and what we each carry in our thoughts, feelings, and intentions. In a way, we are always broadcasting our frequency.

You might notice it walking down the street — someone looks like they’re deep in something. Without words, you feel it. So, you give them space, gently shifting your path. That’s an example of tuning into vibration — theirs and yours — and choosing to move with awareness.

Music is the art of arranging sounds in a way that feels meaningful or beautiful. It often includes melody, rhythm, harmony, and emotion. Music can be fast or slow, loud or soft, and is used to express feelings or tell stories. It's found in every culture and connects people around the world.

Sound, on the other hand, is just vibration that we hear. It can come from anything—like the wind, water, animals, or machines. Sound becomes music only when it is organized with intention, like when someone plays an instrument or sings a song.

Key Differences:

Intent:

• Music is planned and created to express something.
  
• Sound just happens, like birds chirping or leaves rustling.
  

Structure:

• Music has a pattern (melody, rhythm, harmony).
  
• Sound is just vibration, with no need for structure.
  

Perception:

• Music is often enjoyed or felt emotionally.
  
• Sound can be pleasant, neutral, or annoying, depending on the context.

Singing bowls create sounds through frictional vibration. When you rub the rim of the bowl with a mallet or striker, it sets the bowl in motion, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations produce sound waves that resonate in the bowl and are amplified as they bounce off its walls. The size, shape, and material of the bowl influence the pitch, tone, and quality of the sound produced.

All the bowls sold by NirvanaSounds are handmade in Kathmandu, Nepal. The seven-metal bowls: copper, tin, zinc, iron, lead, gold, and silver. The alloy has been secretly mixed as knowledge passed down by local artisans for thousands of years. Different percentages are used in Classical, Nirvana, and Full Moon Bowls. Full Moon Bowls use purer metals. More details and a demonstration of the workshop are provided.

Nirvanasounds is based in Worksop, Kathmandu, Nepal, but holds many events across China - see our Events Calendar. Nirvanasounds also works with other healers.

I am working with Santa and have trained directly since the COVID-19 pandemic. I have experience as a researcher and developed the concept and design of the book "Singing Bowls—A Nepali Instrument for Tuning the Mind, Healing the Body" in 2023

Yes, you can hear the unique sounds of each Himalayan singing bowl before a purchase. We provide audio samples for every bowl to help you experience their distinct tones and resonances.

Each product description on Nirvana Sounds includes a link to a sound recording of the bowl being struck, and some also feature recordings of the bowl being played in a singing motion. These recordings are hosted at own workshop. Please note that you may need to sign an email to access them. Keep in mind that these recordings are made in a natural setting, not in a professional sound studio.

To fully appreciate the rich tones of the singing bowls, we recommend using high-quality headphones or speakers when listening to the recordings.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask!

Understanding Contraindications in Sound Healing

Sound healing utilizes vibrations and frequencies from instruments like singing bowls and gongs to promote relaxation and well-being. While generally safe, certain health conditions require caution:

• Pacemakers and Metal Implants: Vibrations may interfere with these devices or cause discomfort.
  
• Recent Bone Fractures or Surgeries: Avoid placing bowls directly on affected areas until fully healed.
  
• Epilepsy: Some sound frequencies might trigger seizures; consult your doctor before participating.
  
• Mental Health Conditions: If you're undergoing treatment for conditions like PTSD or schizophrenia, discuss with your healthcare provider before engaging in sound therapy.
  
• Pregnancy (First Trimester): Due to potential risks, it's advisable to avoid direct sound therapy during early pregnancy.
  

Recommendations:

• Do not place singing bowls directly on the body if you have any contraindications.
  
• Your safety is paramount. By taking these precautions, you can ensure a beneficial and secure sound healing experience.

Each Himalayan singing bowl is handcrafted, resulting in unique differences in shape, markings, sound, and color.

🟠 Classical Bowls: These bowls typically have a higher copper content, giving them a shinier appearance with a more uniform color.

🌕 Full Moon Bowls: Containing a higher silver content, these bowls often display a mix of darker and lighter contrasts. They are traditionally handcrafted in Nepal during the full moon, believed to enhance their vibrational quality.

🟡 Nirvana Bowls: These bowls fall between Classical and Full Moon bowls in terms of color and metal purity, offering a balanced visual and acoustic experience.

🐍 Naaga Bowls: Naaga bowls are distinctive for their design, which is based on cosmic sound frequencies and their correlation with the human body. They are crafted to produce specific tones that align with various energy centers.

Understanding these variations can help you choose a singing bowl that resonates with your personal preferences and healing practices.

No, we don't have a physical shop, but we have an exclusive centre where we do everyday practice, where you can explore our collection of Himalayan singing bowls. Each bowl is individually made, ensuring its unique qualities in terms of appearance and sound.

1. Cleaning Your Bowl

• Regular Cleaning: Use a soft cloth to gently wipe your bowl after each use. This helps remove dust and oils from your hands.
• Deeper Cleaning: If needed, clean the bowl with warm water and a mild soap. Use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface. After washing, dry the bowl thoroughly with a soft towel to prevent moisture damage.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use strong cleaning agents or abrasive materials, as they can damage the bowl's surface and affect its sound quality.

2. Handling and Playing

• Proper Technique: Play the bowl by gently striking or rubbing it with a mallet. Avoid hitting it forcefully, as this can cause dents or cracks.
• Avoid Touching the Sides While Playing: Ensure your fingers do not touch the sides of the bowl during play, as this can dampen the vibrations and affect the sound.

3. Storage and Transportation

• Safe Storage: Store your bowl in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Use a soft cushion or cloth underneath to prevent scratches.
• Transporting Your Bowl: When moving your bowl, wrap it in a soft cloth or bubble wrap and place it in a sturdy box. If transporting multiple bowls, wrap each one individually to prevent them from clashing together.

4. Water Usage

• Using Water in the Bowl: If you place water in your singing bowl for sound experiments, ensure you empty and dry the bowl thoroughly afterward. Prolonged moisture can lead to oxidation and affect the bowl's appearance and sound.

5. Natural Aging

• Verdigris Formation: Over time, copper in the bowl may oxidize, leading to a greenish patina known as verdigris. This is a natural process and does not harm the bowl. If present, it will be noted in the product description.

If you're interested in experiencing the singing bowls firsthand in Kathmandu, please visit us. You can see, hear, and feel the bowls.

A Full Moon Singing Bowl is a handcrafted, high-quality sound healing instrument made from a pure alloy of seven sacred metals. This unique type of singing bowl was introduced by Master Santa Ratna Shakya, a renowned expert and master in singing bowl sound healing.

What sets the Full Moon Singing Bowl apart is the timing and intention behind its creation. It is exclusively forged during the evening of the full moon each month, allowing it to absorb the maximum lunar energy. This process is believed to enhance the bowl’s healing vibrations, making it especially powerful for meditation, relaxation, and sound therapy.

Before crafting begins, artisans purify themselves through ritual, entering a state of calm and clarity. They then melt and shape the metal by hand, ensuring that bowl is made in direct full moon energy throughout the process. This sacred timing and environment are said to infuse the bowl with a deep, resonant healing energy.

Each bowl is intricately engraved with:
The Om Mani Padme Hum mantra in traditional 'Kutaksher script'.

The KASA logo

A unique Nirvana symbol, specially designed to authenticate the bowl as an original piece from Santa Ratna Shakya’s workshop.

The Full Moon Singing Bowl is not just a tool — it's a vessel of intention, ritual, and cosmic energy, crafted to support your healing journey on all levels."

Nirvana Bowls is a unique healing singing bowl, crafted exclusively on Saturdays—a day regarded as spiritually powerful in the lunar calendar. The timing and ritual behind their creation enhance the bowls' energetic resonance, making them especially effective for deep healing, meditation, and sound therapy.

Although their sound may resemble that of Full Moon Bowls, Nirvana Bowls carry a distinctly different energetic signature. The subtle variation lies in the intention, timing, and vibrational imprint infused during their crafting process.

Each Nirvana Bowl is part of the Nirvanasounds collection—a dedicated line focused on spiritual healing through sacred sound.

Every Nirvana Bowl Set includes three bowls in different sizes and tones, each marked with the Nirvanasounds logo, symbolizing authenticity, harmony, and intentional healing.

Self-Healing Bowls are specially designed singing bowls crafted to support personal healing, inner balance, and spiritual connection. These bowls are not only powerful sound healing tools but also carry sacred symbolism and visual beauty that deepen their energetic impact.

Each Self-Healing Bowl is adorned with a silver coating, symbolizing purity, clarity, and reflective healing energy. At the heart of each bowl is a gold-carved sacred idol of a deity, carefully chosen and engraved to invoke divine protection, guidance, and inner strength. This harmonious blend of silver and gold represents the union of earthly grounding and divine energy, perfect for those seeking emotional release, chakra alignment, and meditative calm.

Available in various sizes and weights, Self-Healing Bowls are crafted to suit different needs—whether for deep vibrational body work, focused meditation, or daily personal rituals. The different tones and resonances created by the bowl’s shape and weight make it a versatile tool for both beginners and advanced practitioners of sound healing.
These bowls are ideal for anyone on a journey of self-discovery, emotional healing, or spiritual awakening, offering not just sound but a sacred presence in your healing space.

General Bowls are beautifully handcrafted singing bowls made for decorative or business purposes. Unlike other healing bowls, these do not carry any logos, symbols, or markings, keeping the design simple and elegant.

Each bowl is 100% handmade, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and making them perfect for aesthetic displays, gifts, or general use.

For those with Alzheimer’s, sound and music can bring back joyful memories once forgotten. Sound is powerful—it all comes down to intention. Our words carry energy; they are vibrations we send out into the world. We’re always casting spells with what we say and how we say it.

Even if words sound sweet, if the feeling behind them is harsh, others will feel that. That’s why I try to stay mindful of my words, my tone, and my emotions when I speak—and also when I listen.

Lately, I’ve turned letting go into a little game. Sometimes it’s hard to release what no longer serves me, even when I know it’s time. Fear and scarcity sneak in—fear it won’t come back, or that I won’t be enough without it. But I’m learning to trust and to let go with love.

We need both, just like jumping a car battery. You need the positive and the negative to make the engine start. It’s the same with energy in our lives.

Negative energy isn’t “bad.” It’s just a signal. It shows up to tell us something isn’t working or aligned. Instead of judging it, I try to get curious.

For example:

Let’s say someone cuts me off in traffic. I instantly feel irritated. I pause and ask myself:

Why am I so upset?

Am I feeling disrespected or unseen?

Is this touching something deeper in me?

Now I have a choice. I can stay angry… or I can see this as a moment to breathe, let go, and shift my energy. Maybe I even feel grateful that I noticed this old reaction and had a chance to respond differently.

I try not to label things as “good” or “bad.” Instead, I ask:

Did that feel good to me?

If not, what would feel better right now?

Then I make a new choice based on what feels more aligned.

Sometimes, those “negative” moments are just mirrors, showing us a pattern we’re ready to outgrow—like reacting with frustration, shutting down, or people-pleasing. The real power is in recognizing the pattern and choosing to do something different.

At the end of the day, I remind myself:
I’m not just this body. It’s the vehicle I drive through life. Every experience—positive or negative—is here to help me grow, learn, and become more of who I truly am.