VSA Singing Bowl Vibrational Sound Therapy Certification Course Pittsburg, PA, August 6-11, 2024

What: VSA Vibrational Sound Therapy Singing Bowl Certification Course

This course is designed for both new practitioners and experienced sound workers to fully understand and practice Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) with singing bowls. Vibrational Sound Therapy is a relaxation modality using singing bowls on the body one-on-one with a client. With completion of the live 3 or 6 day course you will receive a certificate of completion. After finalizing the course requirements you will receive a certification in Vibrational Sound Therapy from the Vibrational Sound Association.  All graduates are required to complete up to 15 pro bono sessions before asking clients for compensation.

This class is approved for CEU's for massage therapists from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB).  Our 6 day certification class qualifies for 42 hours of credit.

Who:   This course requires no prerequisites other than the willingness and ability to follow easy to learn methods using singing bowls and other instruments.  Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the world of sound healing, this six-day certification course is perfect for anyone looking to master the art of Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) using singing bowls. After completion of the class, you will have the skills, confidence, and support to practice Vibrational Sound Therapy professionally.

When:  August 6-11, 2024  9:30 am - 5:00 pm 

Where:  To be announced, Pittsburg suburbs area

Cost: 

$2400 - 6 days of class (Levels 1-4) -  August 6-11 - Four free included Therapeutic Singing Bowls the ZT900 ($280), ZT1300h ($380), ZT2000( $600) and ZT300t2 ($99), - total cost $1359 - and 300 page Color Manual ($350).  The bowls included are the 4 main bowls we use in the class, and this package is enough to start practicing immediately after class. The $2400 is an early discount available until July 1, 2024 (The price is $2500 after July 1, 2024)

$1400 - 6 day class (Levels 1-4)   August 6-11 - Manual only, bowls not included. The $1500 is an early discount available until July 1, 2024 (The price is $1600 after July 1, 2024).

$900 - 3 day class (Levels 1-2)   August 6-8 - Manual only, bowls not included. The $900 is an early discount available until July 1, 2024 (The price is $1000 after July 1, 2024).

A $500 deposit will lock in your seat in the class, balance due two weeks before the first day of class.  If you wish to take advantage of the early bird discount you must be paid in full by July 1, 2024.  Limited spaces available.

In order to become certified in Vibrational Sound Therapy, you will need to complete the full 6 day course, purchase the four bowl Zen Therapeutic set, and complete ten pro bono sessions and turn the completed session forms in to the VSA. We have split the class into 2 three-day courses so if you are not able to take the full 6 day course, you can start with sections 1 and 2, and then take sections 3 and 4 at a later time to complete your certification. Sections 3 and 4 will be available as a separate course soon.

Vibrational Sound Therapy Singing Bowl Certification Course

Tuition cost covers three or six days of intensive practice under the supervision of Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) accredited instructors. The techniques in the class are limited to 1-4 bowls at a time, which keeps the method both simple and cost effective.  Additional bowls can be added to the modality and are also available for purchase throughout the class.  All bowls and tools used in the classroom will be provided for use during the class. 

Certification in Vibrational Sound Therapy allows our practitioners to not only perform Vibrational Sound Therapy, but also become an affiliate of the VSA. As a VSA affiliate, our practitioners receive a lifetime discount on singing bowls and other instruments as well as bowl credit by referring other future practitioners.  In addition, the VSA remains a pillar of support for our practitioners that will continue to provide new information and course opportunities as the association expands.

Each day, the intensive program starts with a short sound meditation followed by an incredible balance of community, communication, learning, live demonstration and hands-on practice. In addition, every day each student both gives and receives a Vibrational Sound Therapy session designed to help the student learn and be able to confidently perform Vibrational Sound Therapy in any number of real world situations.

Participants in the course are introduced to all the modern variations of metal singing bowls as well as antique Himalayan bowls, Tingsha chimes, hand chimes, and our exclusive line of Therapeutic grade singing bowls. Gongs and crystal bowls are touched on and used during brief parts of practice but are not the focus of the course.  Over 100 singing bowls and other instruments are available to explore and use during the class.

The bowls featured in the class are the perfect co-stars to our highly trained practitioners. All hand hammered singing bowls have some therapeutic qualities to the sound. The distinction that we draw with our bowls is that we are the only singing bowl school in the USA today using and promoting engineered Therapeutic grade singing bowls.

Therapeutic grade singing bowls may have a similar look to traditional hand hammered bowls, but that is where the similarities end. The bowls used in the course are world-class instruments, specifically engineered to provide a strong, soothing vibration and sound. The sizes and vibrational characteristics are matched to appropriate body zones in the course. Our Therapeutic series bowls were designed for use in hospitals and are the safest singing bowls on the market today. Using pure metals in the construction of the bowls has allowed us control over their content. 

In this class our students are introduced to the Measured Strike Technique. The MST has revolutionized the way we use and play singing bowls and will become the singing bowl practitioners’ most powerful tool. Developed at the same time as the engineering of the Therapeutic singing bowls, the MST is the most efficient and effective method for use in the VST modality. The MST is more than just the style of strike that we use during the VST procedure, it can be used with any hand hammered bowl. We have designed the measured strike technique around specific weighted mallets to provide a very predictable result each strike. Our students will practice the MST each day in class, honing their skills to achieve a steady, unerring strike each time, ensuring a smooth and truly relaxing VST session.

Each day in class our future practitioners enjoy learning and discussing the fundamental ideas behind Vibrational Sound Therapy, the history of Himalayan singing bowls, the physics of sound, and psychoacoustics. These subjects provide our practitioners with a solid knowledge base from which to confidently practice the VST modality. These ideas are reinforced through live demonstration and the practice of the method itself. Practitioners are attuned to sound in wholly new ways through the intensive program. Many of our past students have made note of this, gaining a new understanding of sound itself through the course, and forever changing the way we hear the world around us.

Each day finds students from different backgrounds interacting with one another, all in the scope of learning and applying this powerful modality. Students are paired with new partners every day, ensuring that the practice sessions are as varied and diverse as the class itself. Limiting our class sizes allows direct interaction between students and instructors. It also limits the amount of distraction and allows us to deliver a massive amount of information in the time that we share.

Working with the bowls directly on the body strengthens the effect of the powerful vibrations that come from the specially engineered Therapeutic singing bowls. Practitioners can see and understand the results of the method the very first day when they perform their first Vibrational Sound Therapy Session.

The Vibrational Sound Therapy modality is the first of its kind, eschewing cultural appropriation and seeking instead a common ground based on scientific principles and effective techniques. This is another reason Vibrational Sound Therapy is so powerful. We can adapt the techniques to interface with any existing modality. This is evident when you look at a cross section of who is taking our classes.

Why study Vibrational Sound Therapy with us?

Once you have become certified in Vibrational Sound Therapy, there are many ways you can use your knowledge and skills, whether you are working with Vibrational Sound Therapy as a stand-alone practice or adding a sound-based modality to your current practice. 

Vibrational Sound Therapy is the perfect companion to massage therapy, reiki, chiropractic services, psychotherapy, music therapy, acupressure and acupuncture, dental and medical services, teaching, and more. As a VST practitioner, you will be able to work within an established institution, providing complimentary services to spas, healing centers, yoga centers, or retreat centers. We currently have practitioners providing relaxation therapy in professional medical settings where the profound effect has presented incredible results. Now we want you to join us!

So far the VSA has launched the careers of over 1000 Vibrational Sound Therapy Certified Practitioners who are now practicing around the globe. You will find certified practitioners with an incredible range of backgrounds, working in a broad variety of fields. From elementary school teachers to light workers to yoga teachers and kirtan leaders, we see our influence spreading. Retailers of singing bowls gain an incredible amount of knowledge during the course, helping them to better cater to the needs of their customers. Therapists and counselors are using our modality to introduce a new way of life to people who are suffering. The Therapeutic series bowls are being used in the offices of psychologists and in the homes of retired individuals with equal benefit. The VST modality is universally effective, and our practitioners emerge from our program ready to provide the benefits of this method to the public.

Who is the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA)

A committee of instructors with valuable experience handles course instruction. The well of knowledge offered in the class is thoughtfully comprised of the combined wisdom coming from musicians, recording engineers, sound therapists, and sonic visionaries. This potent combination is coupled with the founder of the organization that is the largest importer of singing bowls in the USA, Jeff Howard.

Jeff Howard has over 20 years of experience with singing bowls, traveling the world and learning about sound therapy in many cultures including Tibet, Nepal, India, Thailand, USA, and China. Jeff created the Vibrational Sound Association (VSA) to offer singing bowl therapy designed with the practitioner in mind. The VSA is dedicated to the continued evolution of Vibrational Sound Therapy with singing bowls. The VSA seeks to further the use of these ancient tools in a professional modern and structured modality that is an efficient relaxation and therapy system. This is a secular course with no need for any specific spiritual or religious beliefs. This course relies on proven methods of using sound and vibration for therapy.

Details of the Intensive Course Including Vibrational Sound Therapy with practitioner certificate

This full 42 hour course includes instruction on:

• the history and use of sound therapy
• the effect of vibration on the body
• the different types of bowls and how they are used
• methods of play
• which tools to use with each technique
• practitioner client relationship
• basic business
• much more!

The Vibrational Sound Therapy course is broken down into both basic and advanced levels. Live demonstrations and the opportunity to both give and receive Vibrational Sound Therapy sessions each day in class provide our students with hands on knowledge and practice in using this relaxation technique. Basic levels cover the sound therapy itself while advanced levels delve deep into topics like binaural beats, brain entrainment, aura energy, and the chakra systems. Further techniques are also illustrated in sound meditation and live sound bath performance, which expand the abilities and knowledge of the practitioner. A certificate of completion will be provided to those who complete the course.

Vibrational Sound Therapy Registration and Workshop Cancellation Policy

Since Vibrational Sound Therapy workshops fill up quickly, it is advisable to sign up as soon as possible. In order to reserve a space in any workshop, we require a deposit amount of $500.  Once you pay the $500 deposit, you can make payments as needed and the balance is due two weeks before the first day of the scheduled course.    

We rely on an accurate attendance count to make important arrangements for our workshops. If an attendee needs to withdraw from a workshop, they must inform us in writing via email no later than 30 days prior to the first day of the scheduled workshop.

Any cancellations that are made more than 60 days prior to the class start you may use the funds as a credit toward a future class or request a refund.  If you cancel less than 60 days prior but more than 30 days prior to the class start you may use the funds as a credit toward a future class only. Finally, any cancellations that are made less than 30 days prior to the class start will be charged a non-refundable administrative fee of $500, and the balance of your registration fees must be used toward the balance of a future class only (no refunds). 

Please take this into consideration when you sign up for a workshop.