„If you’re doing something with sound, it’s probably about those gongs, isn’t it?” – this is a question almost every person practising or teaching Naada Yoga in Poland hears. No wonder – sessions with gongs and singing bowls (known as „sound healing” or ‘sound baths’) have become hugely popular in recent years and, for many people, have become the first – and sometimes the only – thing that springs to mind when they hear the term ‘sound yoga’. In this post, we explain what the difference between these practices actually is – and why Naada Yoga is a completely different, much older tradition.
Where does this misunderstanding come from?
Both practices – Naada Yoga and sessions with gongs or singing bowls – do indeed involve sound and vibration, and both are designed to promote mental and physical wellbeing. This is reason enough for someone unfamiliar with the subject to intuitively lump them together. Furthermore, in Poland, sound healing sessions are much more widespread and more frequently advertised than traditional Indian Naada Yoga, which further reinforces this association.
It is, however, worth taking a closer look at both practices, as they differ fundamentally in terms of their origins, the way sessions are conducted, the role of the participant, and the objectives they set themselves.
What is sound healing with gongs and singing bowls?
Sessions involving gongs and singing bowls (Tibetan or crystal bowls) usually involve the participant lying in a comfortable position (most often lying down, in the so-called shavasana) and remaining passive for the entire duration of the session. The facilitator produces sound using gongs and singing bowls, and sometimes other instruments as well – bells, rattles, tingsha – and the sound „surrounds” the participant’s body from the outside.
This is primarily a relaxation and regeneration practice. Participants need do nothing other than listen and allow themselves to relax – it requires no preparation, skills or prior experience. Such sessions are sometimes referred to as a „sound bath” precisely because they resemble immersing oneself in a wave of sound flowing in from outside.
It is worth noting that this type of practice has a long tradition in Tibetan culture (singing bowls) and is a modern adaptation of the use of instruments with a rich tone (gongs), but it does not derive from the classical system of Naada Yoga described in ancient Indian treatises.
How does Naada Yoga differ from this?
Naada Yoga is an active practice – it is the practitioner themselves who creates sound using their own voice, breath and attention, rather than remaining a passive recipient of sound coming from outside. This is a fundamental structural difference: in Naada Yoga, we do not „listen” to sound – we are its conscious creators.
The central instrument traditionally associated with this practice is the harmonium – a small bellows-powered keyboard instrument, commonly used in Indian spiritual music and mantra chanting (kirtan). The harmonium supports the practitioner’s voice, providing a tonal reference point, but it is the voice – not the instrument – that remains at the heart of the practice.
This difference – activity versus passivity – also shapes the nature of the experience itself. A Naada Yoga session can be more demanding in terms of attention and engagement than simply lying down during a sound bath, as it requires conscious participation throughout the entire practice, rather than merely the physical presence of the body.
A practical comparison – what a typical session looks like
The difference between the two approaches is best illustrated by what a typical session looks like for each.
A session with gongs and singing bowls usually lasts between 45 minutes and an hour and a half; participants lie still, whilst the facilitator’s role is to skilfully play the instruments to create a rich, layered wall of sound. Participants do not need to know any specific techniques – their task is simply to relax and allow the sound to „pass through” their body.
A Naada Yoga session, on the other hand, usually combines elements of breathing, simple sounds and tones, mantra practice – and sometimes the harmonium – with periods of silence and inner observation. The role of the facilitator is to guide the participant through the successive stages of the vocal practice, rather than to „produce” the sound for them. The participant is an active participant in the practice from start to finish.
Does science confirm the effects of sound?
In discussions about both practices, the question of scientific evidence for their effectiveness sometimes arises. It is worth exercising caution and honesty here: in the case of both gongs and singing bowls, as well as Naada Yoga, we are talking primarily about subjective experiences, spiritual practice and tradition, rather than methods with clinically proven therapeutic effects. What can be said with greater certainty is that calm, prolonged breathing and focused attention – present in both practices, albeit to varying degrees – promote the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the rest and recovery response.
However, none of these practices should be regarded as a substitute for medical treatment or psychotherapy – both are best viewed as a complement to healthcare, rather than a substitute for it.
Is it possible to combine the two practices?
Definitely yes – and many people who practise Naada Yoga do so successfully. Gongs and singing bowls can be a valuable, relaxing addition to a Naada Yoga practice – for example, as a way to quiet the mind right at the start of a session (helping you to „wind down” from the hustle and bustle of everyday life) or as a peaceful conclusion, allowing you to integrate what has taken place during the active vocal work.
However, gongs and singing bowls should not be regarded as synonymous with Naada Yoga, nor as a substitute for it. These are two distinct traditions with different origins and different structures of practice, which complement each other well but should not be confused with one another or used interchangeably when communicating about the classes on offer.
The most common myths about Naad Yoga
Myth: Naada Yoga is a kind of concert or vocal workshop. No – it is a spiritual and mindfulness practice in which the quality of the voice is not judged on aesthetic grounds.
Myth: You need special instruments, such as gongs or singing bowls, to practise. No – the primary „instrument” in Naada Yoga is the practitioner’s own voice and breath. A harmonium is sometimes introduced at later stages, but it is not essential.
Myth: Naada Yoga works through specific frequencies measured in hertz. No – the practice is based on the individual, subtle vibration and energy frequency specific to each person, rather than on universal acoustic values.
Myth: The louder and longer the sound, the stronger the effect. No – the quality of the sound and its resonance are more important than the volume or duration of a given sound.
A brief history of gongs and singing bowls
It is also worth taking an honest look at the origins of the gongs and singing bowls themselves, as they are often presented as part of „ancient yoga”, whilst their history in the context of sound therapy is considerably shorter and different from that of Naad Yoga.
Singing bowls – both the metal ones, associated with the Himalayas and Tibet, and the more recent crystal bowls – have their roots in Buddhist rituals and the folk traditions of the Himalayan region, where they were used mainly in ceremonial and meditative contexts, not necessarily as a systematic „therapy”. Gongs, on the other hand, originate from the musical traditions of South-East Asia (including Indonesia), where they served ceremonial, signalling and musical functions before finding their way into modern relaxation practices in the West.
The modern form of sound healing sessions as we know them today – with participants lying on mats, listening to an elaborate soundscape – is largely a Western adaptation and fusion of various instrumental traditions, which took place mainly in the second half of the 20th century alongside the West’s growing interest in Eastern spirituality. It remains a valuable and profound practice – yet one should not confuse its origins with classical Naada Yoga, which has documented roots in much older Indian philosophical treatises devoted to the theory of sound.
Frequently asked questions about the difference between Naada Yoga and gongs
Will I hear gongs or singing bowls at all during a Naada Yoga session? Yes, they can be included as an additional, relaxing element of the session – for example, at the start, to help you wind down, or at the end, as a way of bringing the group together. However, they do not form the main part of the practice.
Can a gong session replace regular Naada Yoga practice? Not quite – it’s a different kind of experience. A gong session offers deep relaxation and rejuvenation, whereas regular practice of Naada Yoga develops awareness of one’s own voice, breath and emotions in a way that passive listening simply cannot replace.
Why does the programme sometimes refer to „sound yoga” when it’s not actually about gongs? The term „sound yoga” refers to the traditional name Naada Yoga (which literally translates from Sanskrit as ‘sound yoga’), rather than to modern sessions involving relaxation instruments. This is a common source of misunderstanding, which we have tried to clarify in this post.
Is it worth starting with a gong session before trying Naada Yoga? It depends on your personal preferences. If you’d prefer to start with a passive, relaxing experience, a gong session could be a gentle introduction to working with sound in general. However, this is not a necessary step – you can start directly with Naad Yoga, regardless of any previous experience with other forms of sound therapy.
How to choose the right work placement for you
If you’re primarily looking for deep relaxation and rejuvenation, during which you don’t have to do anything actively, a session with gongs and singing bowls could be a good place to start. If, on the other hand, you’re interested in actively working on yourself – developing mindfulness of your own voice, emotions and energy, rather than just passive relaxation – Naada Yoga is the natural choice. Many people discover over time that the two practices complement each other well at different times of the week or depending on their needs at any given moment.
How to prepare for a session combining both elements
If you happen to attend a Naad Yoga session where the instructor uses gongs or singing bowls at the beginning or end as a relaxation aid, it’s worth coming along without any preconceived expectations as to „which sensation” should be stronger. Dress comfortably, ideally in layers, as your body temperature may drop whilst lying down for a long time during the relaxation phase. Avoid a heavy meal immediately before the session – a full stomach makes it difficult to breathe freely, which is fundamental to the vocal part of the practice.
It’s also worth coming with an open mind to the fact that the active part (working with the voice) may be more demanding than the expected passive experience of listening to the gongs. This is normal – the two parts of the session serve different purposes: active vocal work develops mindfulness and connection with one’s own body, whilst the final relaxation with gongs or singing bowls allows you to calmly integrate what has taken place.
Summary
There is a fundamental difference between Naada Yoga and sessions involving gongs or singing bowls: active participation versus passivity; working with one’s own voice versus receiving sound from outside; and an ancient Indian philosophical and spiritual tradition versus a contemporary form of sound-based relaxation. Gongs and singing bowls can be a valuable addition to the practice of Naada Yoga, but they are not synonymous with it and should not be treated as a substitute for it.
The best way to experience this difference is to try out both approaches for yourself – take a look at the current schedule for sessions and the beginners’ course if you’d like to start by actively working with your voice.