Christine Hays’ spa career took her all over the world – from India to the Bahamas – but it was when she and her son were on holiday in Nepal that she heard the call of the singing bowls.

“They were everywhere and we just thought they were really interesting,” she says. “We really wanted to see them in the spa and wellness world.”

She brought some bowls back with her and incorporated them into treatments in her work as corporate director for Oberoi spas (see SB11/2 p50) and later in her work for Six Senses.

Then, three years ago, Christine left her corporate spa job and started her own company, Eastern Vibration, with her son Jahmaal. The mother-son team spent time learning about the ancient healing technique – looking at scientific research, studying with shamans in Nepal, hearing about the bowls’ history with Tibetan monks.

Christine likens the effect of the bowls’ vibrations to a cellular massage, with the vibrations moving through the body and brain. She says: “It’s like using hot and cold packs, but interacting on a basic molecular level.” Christine believes the therapy can help with a range of issues, including arthritis, inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and tension.

Jahmaal says: “I like to incorporate old, esoteric principles – as well as those understood by modern science – to create a sound healing modality. This is what makes us unique – we combine a structured method with intuitive work,” he explains.

Eastern Vibration’s singing bowls are handmade in Nepal with some so large than you can stand or sit in them to send vibrations through your entire body. Jahmaal adds: “Vibrations are the core of existence. We need to harmonise our bodies – our bodies have so many points that are working together, it’s like an orchestra.”

Christine suggests a minimum of 15 minutes for treatment of a specific area – which can be scheduled as an add-on service – or full-body treatments of 30 to 80 minutes.

Eastern Vibration also has a three-day course to train therapists and spa managers in how to use the singing bowls effectively. Christine says: “We don’t want to just sell bowls – we want to get them into as many hands as possible. Our main goal is to teach people how to use them to heal people and improve their wellbeing.”

Her son concurs: “If you don’t know how to use them, you just have a pretty bowl, but used as a healing tool they can really improve someone’s life.”