Tibetan singing bowls: way to relax

Using vibrations and sounds to reduce stress and impact wellness is an age-old technique being brought back to life, according to Christina Grozik. Having studied meditation and yoga for the past 13 years, Grozik said the Tibetan singing bowls she uses for vibrational sound relaxation sessions often bring people to another level of relaxation. “I equate it a lot of times as a massage for your nervous system and your only job is to come and breathe. Just relax and breathe,” she said. Grozik will be bringing her practice to Vermilion for a public event at Brewed Awakening, 5485 Liberty Ave., from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on March 2. The event will consist of a description of the bowls, breathing exercises, a brief meditation session and a “sound bath,” in which Grozik will play the bowls to relax attendees. “Most people will probably fall asleep,” she said. “That happens all the time ... It’s cool, you can really see the visible difference of when people are done.” Grozik was first introduced to the singing bowls during her time in Thailand, where they were used at an elephant clinic that she worked at. “Instead of giving (the elephants) medicine, we used the bowls to relax them (before medical procedures,)” she said. Grozik said she also holds workshops where participants get a handson experience learning about the singing bowls and their various uses. Unlike in meditation or yoga, she said the singing bowls allow for participants to fixate on something besides their thoughts. “As long as you focus on your breath, there’s something about the frequency and the vibration of it that it helps you to go to that state without you having to overthink it,” Grozik said. Participants of the event or any sound vibrational relaxation session can begin preparing the night before. “I always encourage people at night, if it’s possible, just to go home and make sure you’re hydrated, because there’s a lot of fluids moving through your system,” Grozik said. Tickets for the event are $14 and can be found after searching “Brewed Awakening” as an event listing on eventbrite.com.

“As long as you focus on your breath, there’s something about the frequency and the vibration of it that it helps you to go to that state without you having to overthink it.” — Christina Grozik

JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL Christina Grozik shows a portion of her Tibetan singing bowl collection. She will be holding a relaxation event featuring the bowls at Brewed Awakening, 5485 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on March 2.

JORDANA JOY — THE MORNING JOURNAL Elane Mattmuller, 60, of Vermilion, left, stands in a Tibetan singing bowl as a part of Christina Grozik’s, right, demonstration.