What makes sound massage with singing bowls so special is that it simultaneously appeals to both hearing and tactile perception—senses that are fully developed even before birth. It’s no surprise, then, that the harmonious sounds and their slow pulsations evoke feelings of safety, comfort, and well-being, quickly leading to a deep sense of relaxation.

The gentle, rhythmic vibrations of the singing bowls stimulate the body and contribute to improved body awareness. These vibrations spread softly through the skin, tissues, organs, bones, body fluids, and cavities. Many describe this as an especially delicate and pleasant form of massage. Neuromuscular tension can be gently released, while circulation and lymphatic flow are stimulated.

In sound-based relaxation, regeneration can occur on all levels. The associated improvement in perception also strengthens awareness of bodily signals that may be linked to stress. Being able to respond to these signals early and appropriately is a vital contribution to maintaining health.

The goal of the training to become a Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner is to develop both the practical skills and the inner attitude needed to provide sound massage in a safe, sensitive, and effective way. Participants learn to use sound as a holistic tool to promote deep relaxation, health, and well-being.

The training supports participants in discovering and unfolding their personal potential, strengthening their self-awareness, and cultivating mindfulness and presence in their professional and personal lives. It provides a solid foundation for integrating sound massage into wellness practices, pedagogical or therapeutic work, or for starting a new professional path in the field of sound-based relaxation and holistic health support.

Throughout the various modules of the training, you will acquire the following practical and theoretical knowledge:

Practical Training:

• Introduction to and safe handling of singing bowls
• Introduction to gongs and cymbals
• Experience and learn the Peter Hess® Sound Massage
• Methodology and didactics of the Peter Hess® Sound Massage
• Experiencing sound on the body and reflecting on these experiences to support integration
• Enhancing body awareness and health consciousness
• Stress reduction and strengthening of personal well-being
• Learning a variety of sound elements for greater versatility
• Client-centered and solution-oriented use of the Peter Hess® Sound Massage to support relaxation and health
• Cultivating a mindful and accepting presence in working with clients
• Developing an attitude of non-judgment and intention-free support
• Understanding and navigating client processes
• Creating a professional setting for sound massage sessions

Theoretical Foundation:

• Background on singing bowls and the development of sound massage; significance of sound in Eastern and Western traditions
• Basic knowledge about the effects of sound on body, mind, and soul
• Insights into research projects on the Peter Hess® Sound Massage and related methods
• Introduction to sound work on energetic levels, including aura and chakras
• Core principles of the Peter Hess® Sound Methods
• Professional and ethical guidelines for Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioners
• Understanding the scope and limitations of sound massage as defined by legal regulations and individual professional backgrounds

Our comprehensive written training material complements the practical seminar sessions and provides you with in-depth background knowledge for each learning step and topic area.

After completing the Peter Hess® Sound Massage I seminar, you will be able to give a soothing sound massage in a private setting. This is a beautiful way to bring well-being to the people around you.

You might feel inspired to learn additional sound elements to make the basic sound massage more varied and personalized, allowing you to better address the individual needs of your recipients. In the next step, Zen bowls and Fen gongs are introduced. Until now, you've learned to place singing bowls directly on the body—now you will also explore working with the surrounding sound space. These skills are taught in the seminar Sound Massage II – From Relaxation to Reorganization. You can then continue with Sound Massage III+IV – Individual Sound Massage for Body, Mind, and Soul, where you will learn new sound elements and how to design and practice personalized sound massage sessions.

To deepen what you’ve learned, practical experience is essential. After completing all hands-on seminars, you’ll enter a kind of “internship” phase lasting about three months. During this time, you are expected to give at least 10 sound massages—because practice makes perfect! In the training, you’ll receive guidelines to ensure safe practice conditions with your volunteer clients as preparation for future professional sessions. You will need to document 3 of these practice massages using designated forms. Additionally, you’ll receive 3 training sound massages from certified sound massage practitioners. These experiences will be reviewed and reflected upon during the final seminar, which includes a supervision component.

After the internship period, you’ll participate in the final seminar with supervision. Your completed documentation must be submitted to the Peter Hess® Institute at least 14 days prior. Detailed instructions and materials will be provided by your seminar instructors in due time.

Upon successful completion, you will receive the PHI certificate: Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner.

Building upon this foundational qualification (84 training hours), members of the European Association for Sound Massage Therapy (Fachverband, www.fachverband-klang.de) can apply for an expanded, certified professional qualification (100 training hours):

Certified Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioner

If you wish to obtain this higher-quality certificate (application via the association), you can attend the follow-up seminar Designing Individual Sound Massages with Ease, Confidence, and Competence approximately six months after your final seminar. This extended qualification fulfills the requirements of the umbrella organization for holistic health professions (Freie Gesundheitsberufe – www.freie-gesundheitsberufe.de), which allows you to officially use the designation “professional title.” Your name will also be listed on the websites of the FG and the Fachverband.

For details regarding the application process, fees, and procedures, visit:
www.fachverband-klang.de · info@fachverband-klang.de · Tel.: +49 (0) 4252 9389140

This advanced training and certification path is also accredited by the Steinbeis University Berlin. If you are interested, you can request this certification, which has been used by graduates as a recognized qualification in professional development, especially in institutional and clinical settings.

Over the years, we have developed three different training pathways that you can choose from according to your personal needs. All formats are based on the standardized curriculum of the Peter Hess® Sound Massage. The seminar content is deepened and complemented through:

• self-study of course scripts and professional literature
• practice sound massages (internship) after each seminar module
• 3 training sound massages received from authorized Peter Hess® Sound Massage Practitioners

The basic qualification is primarily intended for offering sound massages in a private context. The extended certification is especially recommended for graduates who wish to apply sound massage professionally in their work environment.

You can schedule the seminars Sound Massage I, II, and III+IV individually according to your time availability and preferences. These are followed by a final seminar with supervision, which typically takes place about three months later. If you aim for the extended certification, you may attend the advanced seminar "Designing Individual Sound Massages – with ease, skill, and confidence!" approximately six months after the final seminar.

Seminar Fees:
Sound Massage I, 16 hours – €290.00
+
Sound Massage II, 16 hours – €340.00
+
Sound Massage III+IV, 32 hours – €680.00
+
Final Seminar (with supervision), 20 hours – €420.00
= PHI Certificate
+
Advanced Seminar: Individual Sound Massage, 16 hours – €340.00
= FV Certificate with Professional Title (upon request, €20.00 processing fee)

Script Fees:
SM I – €15.00 (incl. VAT), SM II – €15.00 (incl. VAT), SM III/IV – €15.00 (incl. VAT)

Training in 3 or 4 Steps – Intensive Block Training
You can choose the training in two blocks. These are: Block I, a combination of Sound Massage I+II, and Block II, which includes Sound Massage III+IV, followed by a final seminar with supervision. This allows you to complete the training in two extended weekends and one additional weekend course. The block training is also offered as a “holiday course.”

Sound Massage I+II, 32 hours, €630.00
+
Sound Massage III+IV, 32 hours, €680.00
+
Final Seminar, 20 hours, €420.00
= PHI Certificate
+
Advanced Seminar: Individual Sound Massage, 16 hours, €340.00
= FV Certificate with professional title (upon request, €20.00)

Script costs: KM I & II €30.00 (incl. VAT) + KM III/IV €15.00 (incl. VAT)

Following this, the final seminar with supervision takes place. Based on participant feedback, we know that this format of training is experienced as especially intensive and inspiring. You spend an entire week immersed in the SOUND space – a highly recommended experience. You remain deeply engaged with the topic and gain new insights into yourself. The intensive training is also offered at particularly beautiful locations as a "holiday course."

Intensive Training, 64 hours, €1,290.00 (on Ikaria: €1,490.00)
+
Final Seminar, 20 hours, €420.00
=
PHI Certificate
+
Advanced Seminar: Individual Sound Massage, 16 hours, €340.00
= FV Certificate with professional title (upon request, €20.00)

Script costs: KM I, KM II, KM III+IV €40.00 (incl. VAT)