Article by Bianca Sengos, Founder and CEO of Rainbow Sounds
Using your voice in harmony with a crystal singing bowl is more than a spiritual practice, it’s a proven wellness ritual that supports mental clarity and nervous system regulation. When you strike a crystal bowl tuned to a pure note and vocalize a matching sound like “Yummmm” or “Hummmm,” you create a resonance loop between the bowl, your voice, and your body.
This sound-based entrainment stimulates the vagus nerve, helping to shift the body from a stress-dominant state (sympathetic) into a calm, restorative state (parasympathetic).
Humming and toning have also been shown to increase nitric oxide production in the nasal passages, improving oxygen delivery and reducing inflammation. Meanwhile, the steady vibration of the bowl creates binaural-like effects in the brain, promoting alpha and theta wave states associated with relaxation, creativity, and mindfulness.
Just 10 minutes a day of this simple chant with a crystal bowl may assist to lower cortisol, enhance mood, and improve vocal confidence — turning your voice into a tuning fork for Wellness.
How to Try It
- Find your space – Sit comfortably in a quiet place with your crystal bowl in front of you.
- Awaken the sound – Gently strike the bowl with a mallet. Pause for a moment, simply listening.
- Add your voice – Sing the bowl by softly matching its note with a simple sound like “Yummmm” or “Hummmm.”
- Take long, slow breaths. Sustain the resonance – Hold each sound for a full breath, then inhale and repeat for 3–5 minutes, or as long as feels natural.
- Feel the vibration – Notice where the sound resonates in your body. Allow it to soften your breath, slow your thoughts, and ease your nervous system.
Read the Science, Get Your Geek On!
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Vagus nerve stimulation and emotion regulation – Vocalization (especially humming or toning) can stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting parasympathetic activity.
Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2017 -
Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide – Humming increases nitric oxide levels by 15x in the nasal passages, which supports immune response and reduces inflammation.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002 -
fMRI of ‘OM’ chanting – Chanting “OM” deactivates the amygdala and limbic areas, reducing stress and emotional reactivity.
Cognitive Brain Research, 2006 -
Sound meditation and heart rate variability – Simple sound-based practices increase HRV, an indicator of parasympathetic activity and stress resilience.
Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 2016
Bringing your voice together with a crystal bowl is a small act with big ripple effects. It’s part science, part art, and part daily ritual — a way to ground yourself, brighten your mood, and reconnect with your own resonance.
If you’d like to explore further, Rainbow Sounds also offers in-person and online workshops to gently guide you deeper into the practice.
