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B Benefits of VSM VSM alleviates the symptoms of many conditions. VSM can provide immediate results and can reduce physical pain, anxiety, stress, muscular tension, emotional resistance, mental confusion, energetic blocks, spiritual stagnation, and more. Unlike the pain medications we see clients struggle with, VSM has no unhealthy side effects or drug interactions, has long- lasting effects, and is not regimented. The effects of VSM can be measured in real time and compared over the course of a number of sessions to show improvements in the long term. To measure physiological response to VSM, I use emWave Pro electroencephalogram (EEG) software, created by the Heartmath Institute, to monitor the body's response to treatment. The EEG tracks breath rate, pulse, blood oxygen level, and heart rate with an unobtrusive earlobe clip. After a session, clients and practitioners can see the physiological changes that occurred throughout the treatment. This information can provide a more comprehensive map for intuitive healers to follow as they work with each individual client. There are no contraindications for VSM, but for some clients, deeply hidden emotions may surface. Typically, it is a beneficial release and clients experience a feeling of emotional and mental relief afterward, which may last for hours or days. Singing Bowls Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls are the core tool in VSM. Practitioners may incorporate gong baths, aromatherapy, or crystals into the session, but the bowls will be doing the real work. The bowls emit physically palpable vibrations that entrain cells to their PRF. There are about 200 types of cells in the body. Those 200 types of cells fall into 20 types of structures, 5 each of which vibrate at specific and different frequencies. There are many sizes of Tibetan singing bowls, and the size and weight of each is crafted to vibrate at the same rate as the cells in a section of the body. When the bowls are placed on the body in the correct manner, the vibration is felt throughout the body, and the cells begin to entrain to the bowl's resonance. The bowls also emit sound waves that contain many harmonic layers. The resonance of the bowls sounds pleasing and automatically induces meditative alpha and theta brain wave states, soothing the mind and emotions. Alpha and theta states can be quite difficult for some people to achieve, especially those unpracticed with meditation techniques or prone to anxiety and depression. Some VSM clients experience a deeply restful delta brain wave state, and VSM can be particularly helpful for people who struggle with insomnia. Purchasing Singing Bowls: The Basics When purchasing bowls, you should ideally select them in person. Because therapeutic bowls are handmade, the tone and harmonics of each one will be slightly different. Choose bowls that sound warm and comforting to you. Handcrafted bowls have minor but energetically significant differences. 56 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j u l y / a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 Anecdotal reports show vibrational sound massage has helped clients with: • behavioral problems • carpal tunnel and rheumatoid arthritis • chronic pain and sciatica • cognitive impairment • insomnia • mood disorders (depression, grief, anger, anxiety) • neurological disorders (PTSD, ADD/ADHD, migraines) • PMS and pregnancy symptoms • presurgery anxiety and postsurgery pain/immobility The Bowls of Ancients Himalayan and Tibetan monks have used singing bowls for various purposes for at least 5,000 years. The bowls themselves are made from 7 to 12 different metals. Generational craftsmen hand-pound each bowl using traditional techniques passed down through families for thousands of years. The bowls are made from seven metals: brass, copper, nickel, silver, zinc, mercury, and gold. The 12-metal bowls include the first seven metals plus meteoric iron, lead, tin, bismuth, and pyrite. Make sure to use high-quality, therapeutic-grade bowls in your practice for best results.