Hello, and welcome to the world of Crystal Sound and Alchemy.
Whether you are preparing to receive your first bowl or already have the Crystal Tones® bowls and are adding to your collection, please read the following information carefully, as it will help you keep your bowls in perfect condition and develop a beautiful relationship with crystal sound.
You can read more about the quality of our Crystal Tones® bowls here
If you haven’t done so already, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions page, which contains useful information and precautions to consider.
PLAYING THE BOWLS
When playing the Crystal Singing Bowls, the best way to do so is in ‘presence’. We can develop our sense of presence by observing our breath and body. Many describe being in presence as a connection to a stillness deep within and can feel clearing and restorative.
Before you play the bowls, take some time to breathe gently, be present with yourself and your whole body in each moment.
Please make sure that the space is set up safely so that you have plenty of room around you to play.
Take any jewellery off that may unexpectedly strike the bowl (such as a long pendant hanging down). Some choose to hold their bowl in the flat palm of their hand as they play it. If you choose to do this, always remove any jewellery on your hands (rings and bracelets) as they can vibrate against the bowl's body, potentially causing damage.
The space you nurture and develop inside and outside of your body will determine the quality of energy that moves through you when you play, which is important.
Always place the bowls on a stable surface, and give yourself plenty of space around you and your bowls. When moving your bowl, please pick it up with two hands under the base and gently place it down on the rubber o-ring provided.
Ensure the bowl is centred on the ring and not sitting on a tilt.
We recommend that you keep your eyes open when playing so you can stay in your presence, see what you are doing, and be receptive to listening to the sound of the bowl in response to your physical movements.
PLAYING FOR OTHERS
It is essential that you take professional training in best practice if you are going to play the bowls for others in a therapeutic setting. There are contraindications to sound.
If you are pregnant, have any implants in your body (for example; pacemaker, metal plate etc. or severe or clinical mental health problems, the recommendation is to consult a GP before playing the bowls.
If you would like to become certified to use the bowls in a therapeutic setting with others, Genevra offers training in the Art of Play and Best Practice at the Alchemies Studio in East Sussex.
THE MALLETS
We only recommend using the bespoke mallets you can buy on our website, since these are authentic and have been tested for many years, actually. They will not cause damage to your bowls if used correctly.
Suede Crystal Tones® Mallets: Hold the mallet vertically as you would a pen and apply an even pressure as you move it slowly around the outside rim of the bowl. You will hear a little friction with this mallet. You can hold the mallet horizontally if you wish to try and move it around the bowl about one inch below the top rim (This takes some practice but will ensure a smooth sound without the friction) Tap the bowl with the suede part of the mallet only (not the tip as that is too hard and may crack the bowl)
Silicon and Glass Mallets: Always hold the glass end and use the silicon end to sweep around the bowl's rim. Hold the mallet vertically as you would a pen and apply an even pressure as you move it slowly around the outside rim of the bowl. You will feel a little more ‘drag’, and playing with the delicacy and attention to the detail of movement takes practice. Crystal bowl players love the silicon and glass wands, describing a deeper sense of connection, developing their sense of touch and relationship with the bowls responsively. Never tap the bowl with a silicon and glass mallet; they are too hard and may break it.
Silicon Crystal Tones® Mallet: Please refer to how you would play with the suede mallet around the top rim of the bowl. The sound will be seamless, so the more complicated horizontal movement is no longer necessary. To strike the bowl, use the top tip of the mallet where the silicon is softer; if you use the central part of the mallet, again like the silicon and glass mallet, this will be too hard and possibly cause a break.
Practice and Patience.
After you release the mallet, the bowl will continue to sing for any length of time, depending on the nature of the bowl. Let your bowl sound out until it stops resonating and expresses its song.
You will naturally develop your style as you become familiar with playing your bowl. Please always go ahead and approach your bowl with loving grace. The bowls can remind us how to listen, respond, and be gentle in our movements with everything around us.
PLEASE BE AWARE
The more pressure you apply and the faster you play, the louder the sound will be. The intense vibrations created by playing the bowls too loudly or vigorously could cause a breakage. We do not warranty the product against such breakage or accept any liability should the bowl break due to being played this way. Do not allow objects to drop into the bowls, which may damage them. It is often the movement around the bowls that determines their safety.
If you hear the bowl begin to buzz, please take the mallet off the bowl as soon as you can. This can indicate that you need to play the bowl with less speed and force. Some bowls require very little motion, and all require a very gentle touch. Others only respond to being gently chimed. With some, you may only need to rotate the mallet around half the bowl’s circumference before you take the mallet away and let the bowl to sing. Some bowls have naturally quiet voices, and others are loud. They are all unique, like us. Throughout our gallery pages and Guardian Set pages, we have videos of the bowls being played. You can learn by watching these too.
It is your responsibility to ensure you receive sufficient training to play the bowls for others safely.
CLEANING THE BOWLS
Usually, a cotton cloth and, if necessary, some water will remove dust and marks*. You may apply a solution of cool, distilled water with a 10% solution of mild detergent with a soft brush to the outside surface. Please ensure your hands are clean when moving the bowl and that any packaging or surfaces are kept clean and clear.
*Using water with certain gemstones is not always recommended. Take this into account when choosing the correct method in which to clean your bowls. If you choose to use water, you do so at your own risk with Carnelian, Labradorite, Lepidolite, Malachite, Moldavite, Selenite & Turquoise.
PROTECTION AND INSURANCE
We suggest that your bowl is covered by insurance as soon as it is within your care. Also, if your bowl doesnt have one, we would recommend purchasing a bespoke Crystal Tones® Carry to transport your bowl safely. The cases add another level of protection if you are travelling anywhere with the bowls. See the diagram below on how to pack your bowls safely. Please get in touch with us if you want further advice on the cases that are available for you, or check out our Accessories Page.
SOME PRECAUTIONS:
No medical claims are made about the use of crystal singing bowls to replace the need for medical advice
If you experience any health problems, you should always consult your regular physician or healthcare practitioner
Do not place a person’s head inside or too near a crystal bowl while you are playing it. A safe distance is about 12” away
If you are playing several bowls at once, place them at least 12” apart. Or the very intense vibrations may shatter them
This high-quality alchemy crystal bowl is from pure, clear quartz crystal blended with gemstones, minerals and precious metals. In forming this product, the firing process leaves some inclusions, such as lines and bubbles. This is the nature of the bowl. Inclusions are more visible in clear bowls but are masked in frosted because of the milk appearance, and they do not affect the performance of the bowl.
All of our bowls are tested in America and the UK. The Alchemy bowls leave the UK temple photographed and packed in perfect condition, and we provide an excellent and highly recommended courier service when delivering our bowls.
If you have any questions or want to attend a workshop about the bowls or receive post-training private mentoring, don't hesitate to contact us.
PACKING AND STACKING YOUR ALCHEMY CRYSTAL SINGING BOWLS