Meet Kristin Lewis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Lewis.

Hi Kristin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
I am a recovering overthinker. Additionally, I put tremendous pressure on myself, personally and professionally, to achieve my goals. And I was always stressed and often took that stress out on the people closest to me. I had a career in the auto industry that I absolutely hated, and had to report to 6 days a week in what was a very unhealthy work environment. I didn’t even recognize the woman that I was at that point. She was certainly not anyone I aspired to be. I began to look for ways to start to become the person that I knew I was on the inside, despite what work, bills, etc., was turning me into. That led me down a few different roads. First, moving my body. Finding fitness to get control of my physical health. Then, I began to work on my emotional and spiritual well-being, eventually being introduced to one small Himalayan singing bowl by someone from Nepal. As we talked, I explained how I tried meditation but had never been able to quiet my busy mind. I tried every app, meditation classes, YouTube videos, it just didn’t work for me. After about 30 seconds, I would naturally start thinking about grocery lists, bathrooms to clean or what challenge I had to face at work the next day. The woman told me to be quiet as she placed the bowl in my hand…and encouraged me to try to get the bowl to sing by moving a suede and wood mallet across the lip of the bowl. I tried and failed. And tried and failed. This went on a few times for several minutes until I heard a beautiful tone and started to feel a subtle vibration throughout the palm of my hand. After several more minutes playing that small bowl, the woman asked me how I felt. My immediate reaction was, “That was SO cool”. Then I paused and realized, while I played that bowl, I wasn’t thinking about ANYTHING except that present moment. No groceries or annoying bosses. And I realized THAT is meditation for me. I don’t have to sit cross-legged on a mat in the dark to meditate. Meditation can be any practice that places you in a mindful state, present in THAT moment. I purchased one small singing bowl and, since then, have grown my collection that I purchase directly from Nepal and a supplier that has taught me volumes about the bowls as well as the belief system and culture surrounding them. This has been a very personal journey for me but recognizing the benefits I experienced with my own practice could be shared with others, I began hosting sound baths for my family and closest friends. Hearing their reactions to experiencing my sound baths gave me the courage to, only this year, put myself out there publicly and offer this service in my community. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Himalayan (or Tibetan) Singing Bowls are not widely known about in the Midwest. And certainly, the benefits of sound therapy are just now starting to emerge in yoga studios or other holistic centers. When people hear about this practice, because they are unfamiliar with them, they assume that it is an alternative religious practice or what I am doing contradicts what is my Christian faith. When I perform a sound bath and introduce myself and the practice, I am sure to explain to people the history and Eastern application of the bowls, but I maintain a Westernized, modern (and not religious) approach within my sessions. I don’t introduce energy (Chakra) healing unless I am specifically asked to do so. I am prepared to dispel myths every time I am in public with my bowls, and almost always, within 5 minutes of playing them for a skeptic, they understand the benefits and are feeling the same incredible sense of well-being and calmness that I do when I play them alone. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Himalayan singing bowl meditation is a centuries-old practice originating from the Himalayan Buddhist tradition. It involves using metal bowls, typically made of a combination of metals like copper, tin, and silver, to produce resonant and soothing sounds. This form of meditation has gained popularity worldwide for its ability to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and overall well-being. During a Himalayan singing bowl meditation session, often referred to as a sound bath, the practitioner plays the bowls by striking or rubbing them with a mallet. As the bowls vibrate, they produce a rich and harmonic sound that can be deeply calming and therapeutic. The meditation practice typically involves focusing on the sound and vibrations of the bowls, as well as the sensations and thoughts that arise in the present moment. My passion is working with people who are completely stressed out and feel like there is nothing that can relax them, help them settle their minds and show them how they can bring peace into their lives. 

The benefits of Himalayan singing bowl meditation are numerous: 

1. Stress reduction: The calming sounds and vibrations of the bowls can help alleviate stress and promote a state of deep relaxation. It can soothe the nervous system and release tension, allowing the mind and body to unwind.

2. Mindfulness and focus: The meditative nature of this practice helps cultivate mindfulness, the ability to be fully present in the current moment. By focusing on the sounds and sensations of the bowls, one can enhance concentration and improve mental clarity.

3. Emotional balance: Himalayan singing bowl meditation can have a positive impact on emotional well-being. The harmonious vibrations created by the bowls can help balance and harmonize the body, promoting a sense of inner peace, emotional stability, and overall balance.

4. Physical benefits: The practice of Himalayan singing bowl meditation has been associated with various physical benefits. It can help reduce blood pressure, alleviate pain and discomfort, improve sleep quality, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

5. Spiritual connection: For many practitioners, Himalayan singing bowl meditation offers a pathway to a deeper spiritual connection and self-discovery. It can enhance one’s sense of interconnectedness, inner wisdom, and intuition.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My family have been my biggest cheerleaders. They very much know what a personal journey this has been for me, and then to share that with others, there’s a lot of vulnerability in that. But I understand that my story is the same as that of so many other people, especially moms, and they repeatedly remind me that if I help one person, this is all worth it. 

Pricing:

• Himalayan Singing Bowl Workshop $75
• Himalayan Singing Bowl sound bath for two or more starting at $75
• 1:1 session: 30 min. treatment $551:1 session: 30 min. treatment $55
• 1:1 session: 60 min. treatment $75

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stillness.sound/
• Other: https://calendly.com/stillness_sound