Silence Exercises with Tibetan Singing Bowls

Term Paper , 2005 , 36 Pages , Grade: A

Pedagogy - Job Education, Further Education

Silence is something many adults yearn for, especially in times in which the environment is getting increasingly louder. It is something precious as it benefits our body, spirit, and soul. A big problem at home, in kindergarten, and at school, however, are noisy, disruptive, aggressive, and unfocused children who cannot come to rest and find themselves any more. These children cannot sit still for five minutes, let alone concentrate on something for a longer period of time. To react with a loud scream, “Silence – damn it!”, is certainly not the right way. Relaxation and concentration programs for children are popular like never before. But in addition to that, maybe the children themselves yearn for silence and it is not that difficult to get them on the right track.

I would first like to take a look at the pedagogical theory by Maria Montessori followed by introducing my own ideas and experiences with Tibetan Singing Bowls. The practical exercises were developed in the music workshop in Bad Bergzabern in collaboration with Uta Karen Mempel; there are hardly any publications available with regard to this topic. In this music workshop I worked with small groups of five children and larger groups of up to 25 children. The age of the children was between four and 15 years.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction
• II Theoretical Part
  • The Significance of Silence According to Maria Montessori
  • Silence in the Montessori School
  • Active and Passive Silence
  • Polarization of Attention
  • Sensitization of Hearing
  • Die Role of the Teacher
  • Prepared Surroundings
  • Creating Silence Exercises
  • Silence Exercises by Maria Montessori
• II Practical Part
  • Tibetan Singing Bowls
  • General Information about Singing Bowls
  • Practical Exercises
  • The Sound Gift Circle
  • The Sound Bath
  • The Sound Star
  • The Sound Wheel
  • Listening Exercise I: How Long Does the Bowl Sing?
  • Listening Exercise II: Which bowl was struck?
  • Light in the Singing Bowl
  • Sound Worms
  • Water in the Bowl
  • The Bowl in Water
  • The Foot Bowl
  • The Foot Bowl in Water
  • Sound Massage
  • Sound Fantasy Journeys
  • The Sound Mandala
• III Summary

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This book explores the use of Tibetan Singing Bowls to create silence exercises for children. The author draws upon the pedagogical theory of Maria Montessori, who emphasizes the importance of silence in fostering concentration and learning. The book aims to provide practical exercises that can be used in various settings to promote relaxation, focus, and a deeper connection with oneself and the world around.

• The significance of silence in education and child development
• Maria Montessori's pedagogical approach to silence and its application
• The therapeutic and educational benefits of Tibetan Singing Bowls
• Practical exercises for creating silence and promoting inner peace in children
• The role of music and sound in fostering concentration and relaxation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The Introduction discusses the growing need for silence in a noisy world and highlights the challenges faced by children struggling with attention and focus. The author introduces the concept of silence exercises and outlines the structure of the book, drawing upon Montessori's theory and personal experiences with Tibetan Singing Bowls.

The Theoretical Part delves deeper into Maria Montessori's pedagogical approach to silence, emphasizing its crucial role in education and child development. Montessori's observations on children's innate desire for silence are explored, along with the benefits of creating a silent environment for learning and reflection.

The Practical Part provides a comprehensive guide to using Tibetan Singing Bowls for silence exercises. It covers general information about the bowls, their manufacture, effects, and striking techniques. The chapter then presents a range of practical exercises, including the Sound Gift Circle, the Sound Bath, the Sound Star, and various listening exercises. The chapter concludes with an exploration of sound massage, sound fantasy journeys, and the creation of a Sound Mandala.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key focus of this book is on silence exercises, utilizing Tibetan Singing Bowls. The text explores Montessori's pedagogical theory, highlighting the significance of silence in education and child development. The book incorporates practical exercises and techniques, emphasizing the therapeutic and educational benefits of sound for promoting concentration, relaxation, and inner peace.

• Grade: A
• Authors: Dipl.Musikerin Uta Karen Mempel (Author), Sybille Wirth (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 36
• Catalog Number: V302598
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668000032
• ISBN (Book): 9783668013407
• Language: English
• Tags: silence, exercises, tibetan, singing, bowls