Sansula
The sansula is a patented innovation of the kalimba (also known as sansa, mbira or thumb pianos) which originated in southern Africa. The vibrations of the sansula pass through a wooden block and transmit to a resonating membrane where they are more prolonged than with other means of amplification. The sounds produced are wonderfully mellow and full of overtones.
They are tuned in a specific way and mine is tuned to the a minor scale with a beautiful melancholy feel to it. I do not play a tune as such because this would encourage the mind to interact, respond to it and predict what might come next. Instead, I use a series of note combinations, so your mind is listening but not interacting and therefore, is more inclined to move into a deeper state of consciousness than it would if I played a tune.
Kalimba
The peaceful sounds of a kalimba are the perfect way to calm your mind.
The kalimba is a modern version of the African mbira - a family of instruments which come in all shapes and sizes. Used traditionally by the Shona people of Zimbabwe , they are often played at religious ceremonies, weddings and other social gatherings. They consist of a wooden board or resonator with attached metal tines. The tines are amplified in different ways. For example, over a resonator, a hollow vessel such as a calabash or simply a piece of solid wood. The tines are played by holding the instrument in the hands and plucking them with the thumbs and forefingers.
I often use them during 1:1 or couples sessions to help relax and soften into the moment.