Learning to guide singing bowl practice

Learning to guide singing bowl practice · Article 02

Singing bowl practice: make every circle count

Giang Metta4 classroom clips · 2-minute read

A learner asks me: “Circle for a while, then move to the other bowl?”
Yes. But how long is “a while”?

1Choose a number, not “probably enough”

23 seconds · Yellow subtitles mark the learner’s speech.

Count circles. Keep both sides equal.

Without a number, it is easy to keep going until your hand gets tired. That is just getting it done.

Read the clip transcript
  1. Learner: Circle for a while, then move to the other bowl?
  2. Giang: Yes. But how many circles?
  3. Giang: Decide how many before you start.
  4. Learner: The same number on the other bowl?
  5. Giang: Yes. Keep both sides equal.
  6. Giang: Otherwise you strike, then just stir and stir,
  7. Giang: as if you only want to get it over with.
  8. Giang: Relax your body. Let people see you at ease.

Before clip 2: what would you say?

“I get no sound with my left hand. Can I switch back to my right?” (A practice scenario, not a quote from a specific learner.)

Choose your reply.

Choose a reply to see the feedback.

2No sound with your left hand?

24 seconds · Yellow subtitles mark the learner’s speech.

You need to practise.

Switching back may bring the sound back. But your left hand loses another turn.

Read the clip transcript
  1. Giang: You have used your right hand for a few circles. It is tired.
  2. Giang: On the other side, switch to your left.
  3. Giang: Use both hands equally.
  4. Giang: Not just the right. Keep switching hands.
  5. Learner: I cannot even get a sound with my left hand.
  6. Giang: Your left hand is still weak, right?
  7. Giang: You need to practise.
  8. Learner: It makes no sound at all.
  9. Giang: You need to practise.

3Strike both. Keep both steady.

11 seconds · Watch the two bowls in front of the learners.

The sound moves. The bowls stay put.

Leave space between the bowls. It sounds easy. Try it.

Read the clip transcript
  1. Giang: Strike both bowls at once with the soft mallet.
  2. Giang: Keep them from wobbling or tipping over.
  3. Giang: That takes practice, right?
  4. Giang: How could you do it without practising?

4Sit at ease. Give the person space.

30 seconds · Watch how the learner sits on the floor.

Sit back. Relax. Do not touch.

Stiff posture shows up in your hands. Practise sitting at ease while the bowls are still on the mat.

Read the clip transcript
  1. Giang: You look a little stiff.
  2. Giang: Soften your posture. Relax.
  3. Giang: Let your right hand relax. Not like this…
  4. Giang: You cannot sit like this with a client.
  5. Giang: Your face so close to their belly or chest can scare them.
  6. Giang: Relax. Be at ease.
  7. Giang: If someone were lying here, sit further back.
  8. Giang: Practise that now. You can move down a little.
  9. Giang: There. Good.
  10. Giang: Do not touch them. Stay relaxed.

Practise in pairs: four checks

  • Say the number of circles before starting.
  • Give both hands the same number.
  • Keep the bowls steady after striking.
  • Relax your shoulders. Leave space. Do not touch the person.

The observer gives one comment. Then swap roles. Keep the bowls on a mat or cushion; placing bowls on a person needs in-person instruction.

Why I teach this in person

These clips show only a few minutes of a class. I give small corrections like these throughout the lesson. Reading cannot replace practice.

Many online videos show very forceful strikes. I tell my learners: play gently.

Make each circle count.

Common questions

How many circles on each side?

There is no fixed number. Choose one you can manage steadily, say it before starting, and keep both sides equal.

No sound with my weaker hand. Should I change bowls?

Not yet. Any bowl can be harder with an untrained hand. Practise, then ask your teacher to check your grip and pressure.

Can I practise alone?

Yes, for counting circles and switching hands. Learning to guide others also needs someone to watch you practise.

Do the clips teach placing bowls on a person?

No. The bowls are on mats and cushions. Placing them on a person needs in-person instruction.

Sources and further reading

Four clips from an in-person class in Da Lat. The audio is Vietnamese, with English subtitles. Filler words are removed; yellow text marks the learner’s speech. The reply exercise and pair checklist were added for this article.

Giang Hoang

Giang Hoang

IPHM Certified Sound Healing Practitioner (UK)
Yoga teacher, E-RYT 500 & YACEP (Yoga Alliance)
Giang Metta Academy: IPHM Accredited Training Provider (No. IPHMNC22210) · RYS 200 & RYS 500 (YA ID 442630)
Based in Da Lat, Vietnam. Teaching online worldwide.

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