Matt black and about 14 cm across, this steel tongue drum carries the colourful symbols of the seven chakras on top. The symbols sit in round, coloured fields, with the red root chakra in the centre. Each tongue cut into the metal gives a different note. It weighs about 0.78 kg and was made in India.
Seven chakra symbols on black
Yoga and Hindu tradition count seven chakras along the line of the spine. The lowest is the root chakra, the highest the crown chakra at the top of the head. Each has its own colour and symbol: the root chakra is red, the heart chakra green and the crown chakra violet.
Against the black background the seven colours stand out clearly, and the base is matt black as well. If you work with the chakras, this is the version we would suggest.
A few notes alongside yoga and meditation
Many people play a single note at the start and end of their practice. Strike the end of a tongue briefly with a mallet or your fingertip and listen until the sound fades.
You don't need to know music to play a tune. Strike neighbouring tongues in turn and a simple, repeating melody comes out.
The sound builds up inside the hollow body and comes out through the opening underneath. So it sounds best standing on its feet on a table, or on the floor beside your yoga mat.
If you are giving it as a present
For a friend who does yoga, this plain black drum suits a yoga room as well as a modern home. Three rubber feet underneath stop it sliding on a table. Wipe the matt surface with a soft, dry cloth and don't strike it with metal objects.