I attended Diane Mandel's Tibetan singing bowl workshop on 3/22 - 3/24 along with my friend Barb (please see her review below). When I first spoke to Diane back in February, I explained to her that Barb and I were interested in sound therapy for animals and was that a modality that she teaches? She said she could put an animal spin on the class and that because she only has three students per class, she would have plenty of time to work with us on that. Diane set the class for the above dates with a 10 AM to 5 PM timeframe for the three days. We then received an email with the dates, class times as well as info where to send payment of $500 of which we paid immediately in full through Venmo. The the email also stated that we needed to buy her Tibetan singing bowl book and read the first 84 pages so we also purchased two books at $25 a piece through Amazon. We were so excited for this class! Barb and I both work in animal rehabilitation, and we were ecstatic to learn how to use singing bowls to help the animals we treat. But unfortunately, that was not to be. I have waited a few weeks to write this review because when I left Diane's home on March 24 , I felt ripped off and angry, and I did not want to write an angry review, I wanted to write an honest review, and here it is: Upon entry to the classroom on the first day of class (Diane's living room), we were told not to flush the toilet when we pee, and to put the used toilet paper in the wastebasket next to the toilet, which, by the way, was already halfway full of dirty toilet paper at the start of class. Disgusting . Her reasoning was that she rents the home she lives in and the landlord monitors the water usage (WT??!!). In her rebuttal to Barb's review, Diane writes about water conservation in California but no mention of what she actually told us about her landlords scrutinizing her water usage. Regardless, how much water can three people flush during a five hour class? Also, the soap dispenser sitting on the back of the toilet was empty and there was a community towel (same towel all three days!) to dry our hands on. Again, disgusting. Diane mentions in her rebuttal to Barb's review that there was a great deal of tension in the workshop. Yep, there sure was - and all her doing. I attended this workshop to learn, contrary to Diane's comments below. I am a smart woman, I live to learn new things and help my clients. I have attended countless workshops in my 16 years working with animals. Never, EVER, have I been yelled at because I didn't get something right the first time, or the 10th time for that matter. That's what learning is all about... Making mistakes in a workshop and learning from them in a healthy environment. Never,EVER, have I had a teacher (let alone someone who considers themselves a healer), shout at me from across the room 'Why are you so confused?!!" Mind you, this was the first two hours on day one. After 15 minutes of her condescending attitude, I got up from the floor, closed my notes and went back to my seat. Diane looked at me and asked "are you just going to stop?" I explained to her that I don't learn when someone is shouting at me and like anyone else would, I shut down. Her 'reasoning' for her rudeness was that she's French, and the French are direct in their approach. What a poor excuse and slap in the face to your heritage. That wasn't a learning environment, that was an embarrassing, unwarranted ass whooping. How dare you treat a student that way. Simply put, you are rude, you rule by fear and you choose who you are patient with. As I mentioned earlier, there were three people in this workshop. The third student was treated with utmost respect. (as he should, as we all should). Not once did she raise her voice with him, even when he made mistakes, which he did. He was there to learn, as were we. On the last day of class, the exercise is to take what you've learned from the prior two days and apply it to one of the students. Diane told us she would be sitting in her dining room, and not say a word during the entire exercise, but that she would take notes. To be completely honest, I did not feel like I learned much of anything , because again, I do not learn in an environment as toxic as this was. I made the decision not to participate in the exercise on day three and let Diane know before the class started that day. As student number three was performing the exercise on Barb if it looked like he was going to make a wrong move, Diane made a sound as if she was clearing her throat to get his attention. She did nine separate times. So much for not making a sound, and just observe and take notes. After the exercise was over, she was once again, rude and condescending to me and my friend. I was exhausted. We were exhausted. And as Diane mentions below, yes, we did leave. We had no choice but TO leave. Do your due diligence and research other schools. You work too hard to be disrespected and waste your money. read more

STUDENTS OF TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS BEWARE... Honestly, still trying to process all the disappointments after attending Diane's 3 day class with my friend Tracey (March 22-24, 2024 - 10A - 5P) Day 1 1) no flushing toilet, no hand soap and community hand towel that we all attempted to dry our dirty hands with. 2) cold atmosphere both temperature and environment 3) Diane's approach to teaching is not conducive to learning for a beginner whose ONLY interest is providing sound healing for animals. She is more focused on forcing her style of teaching than adapting to her students level of experience and interest. She is very critical and condescending in her approach to teaching. For someone who presents herself as a healer, it felt more like bullying. 4) There was a discussion with Diane about her approach and how she was making both myself and another student (friend Tracey) feel. Tracey and I had not spoken a word to each other about how we were individually feeling. We both felt criticized, talked down to and unsupported and we vocalized this with Diane. Diane promised to do better the next day. 5) Not an enjoyable day of learning, and class ended around 3:30P (1.5 hours early) Day 2 1) Decided to make the most of the situation and learn as much as I could given the environment, and dismiss Diane's unhealthy approach to teaching. I decided to just focus on what was of interest to me so that I would have some takeaways from the 3 days. I made a personal sacrifice to attend this class and wanted to learn something useful from it. 2) still no flushing toilet -- brought hand soap and paper towels for everyone's use so that we didn't have to dry dirty hands on a community towel. 3) Diane tempered her tone slightly on day 2, and we were able to have an engaging and collaborative discussion about animals and sound therapy. Diane worked with us on harmonizing 3 bowels, which we were able to take home and practice with. This was the most enjoyable part, practicing with the bowls. 4) class ended at 3:30P (1.5 hours early) 5) tomorrow's class, we will be graded on what we have learned in 2 days. I spent some time studying the material and practicing with the bowls. Day 3 1) no flushing toilet 2) the room was very cold and there was tension in the air upon entry 3) Diane announced that she would be quietly observing from the other room (still in view) and grading our work. Oooh and that we couldn't refer to any of our notes, we could only rely on another student who was observing the ritual to give us clues (if they remembered the steps). Keep in mind there are no visual aids whatsoever, we had to go strictly on memory. Again, this felt more like an opportunity for Diane to criticize than actually share how to use the bowls for sound healing animals. I had suggested perhaps Diane could explain things as we were going through the exercise to aid in the learning experience. Diane wasn't open to any suggestions, she was adamant in doing things her way. I had full intentions of going through the exercise, but given the same tone, Tracey and I both passed on subjecting ourselves to another day of criticism and left 2 hours after arriving. 4) we had full intentions on purchasing the 3 bowls Diane had harmonized and allowed us to practice with. unfortunately we had had enough torture and torment and left without the bowls. Students beware... do your research and know what you're getting into before taking Diane's class. Be well. read more

If you are serious about sound healing and willing to work hard to sharpen your craft; than this is the teacher for you. If you are in distress and need clarity, compassion and a helpful guide; than this is the sound healer for you. Diane is simply brilliant! read more

I had a great experience taking Diane Mandle's Space Clearing with Sound Using Tibetan Bowls workshop. Due to sheltering-in-place during COVID, the workshop took place via Zoom. I appreciated that Diane sent out the accompanying instructional workbook in advance, with plenty of time to review the protocols prior to the meeting. I experienced her presentation as very straightforward and efficient. Nevertheless, from the beginning, she invited me to interrupt at any time with questions, and when I did, she immediately provided answers and clarifications. Prior to the Zoom meeting, I had inquired about the possibility of sound testing tingshas during our session. I had a couple of particular specifications in mind but was a bit skeptical about purchasing in this way because by my own standards, I have played and handpicked ALL of my instruments before purchasing. There was one that seemed perfect among the ones Diane brought to the online session. They arrived (very nicely shipped) and I immediately began working with them. I am really happy with the quality and sound of my tingshas. read more

I had an amazing experience with my first sound healing session and have since gone back many times. I went into it exhausted, stressed and overworked. Diane asked me what my intentions were, which I honestly hadn't even thought about until she asked me. I thought I was just interested in trying something new. During the session, I went into a deep meditation and was taken to a different place. It was actually and Indian restaurant in Europe that I had previously visited with my family. I could smell all of the spices and hear my parent's and brother's voices and feel their love. Every session since has been a powerful experience like this - each one different than the last. I always make an appointment when I am feeling stress in my life. Namaste! read more

I share Terri R's opinion. I felt that people were being talked down to, and chastised on too many occasions. Not, IMO, an environment suited to a spiritual practice/teaching. read more

I registered for Diane's distance learning course & reserved a spot in weekend training. Diane had no idea of the amount of training I have with Tibetan bowls, or years I have with any other type of energy therapy just a brief synopsis of why I was interested in her class & Tibetan Bowl therapy. While doing the coursework, I looked into other courses and any information I could on Diane's training. I came across negative comments about her & her program. As a result, I emailed Diane directly and thanked her for providing me the Distance Course material, and holding the spot for me, but I found another course that was more in line with my values/beliefs, and I would not be continuing with the course or attend the class. I told her since my reservation prevented someone else from signing up, she could keep the deposit. Diane responded asking me to clarify what I meant by values/beliefs & how they influenced my decision. Since the negative comments about her & her organization influenced my decision, I felt it appropriate to share them with her so she could be aware of a perception that was out there. Diane took it upon herself to share my personal email with another person in her organization named Richard R & they both then on my statements about my values/beliefs/goals A couple of my personal comments to Diane & their responses are below: (me) I heard a couple of people enrolled in your course were very unhappy with the difficulty of the final and they were upset they had invested all the time & money, took the final after 2 years only to fail. (Richard) I can understand why some folks may be unhappy if they do not acquire your goals immediately but no one fails here. We work with them until they reach a skill level to successfully accomplish the modality we teach. This is call discernment - what type of practitioner would anyone be without first perfecting the necessary skills. This is an examable of why a 'Letter of Certification' from this school is so much more than a mere certification of payment or showing-up. - RR. We do not fail anyone. We simply evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and provide them feedback. They have the opportunity to be reevaluated as many times as they like in person or via video. That is called a high standard. DM I have been an instructor/teacher in different fields for over 30 years. I would never think about letting someone struggle for 2 years, spend thousands of dollars to reach a "skill level to successfully accomplish the modality" just to fail a final, & then offer them "the opportunity to be reevaluated as many times as they like" for an additional fee. I'd have been working with them all along to see if there was some other way of instructing them that would enable them to be successful, or I would have had talked with them much earlier about whether the modality was even right for them, and see if there was something else that called to them. (me) For me the cost and the time required for your course, to be able to effectively utilize the bowls in conjunction with other healing modalities are too much and takes too long. (them) From what you imply minimal training and exposure will due. - RR It takes the time it takes to become a skilled master. We don't offer quick stamps on paper. We don't train technicians. We train skilled healers. Again, your choice DM Again, they have no idea of the amount of education/training I have already, just that I was interested in more education/training & possibly a certification course. In all 40 of my years of education/training/practice, the one thing that has been made clear to me by all my instructors/mentors is that we are just facilitators of the process. The tools we have at our disposal, Reiki, Tibetan Bowls, herbs, essential oils, acupuncture, etc., are what do the work. Even doctors with years of education/training are not healers. They are educated, trained professionals who utilize the medications, surgical skills, tools/diagnostics they have at their disposal with the "intent" & hope they benefit those in need. Richard's comment of what he feels "I am implying" is demeaning & disrespectful, in my opinion. If there is a question about my implication, ask me and get a clear understanding of what I am saying, don't "imply" & then make a derogatory comment. I replied to their email sharing my feelings of distress and disappointment with their comments to me about my values/beliefs, which I only shared because Diane asked me to. Had I known I was going to slammed for them, I would not have taken the time. They never responded to that email. This should be sufficient to summarize why I would not recommend this business. read more

Diane Mandle is a very special Sound Healer. I have had several wonderfully transformative sessions with her that have inspired me to continue with self-exploration and improvement of self on numerous levels. Her intuitive abilities coupled with her depth of knowledge have helped me in incredible ways. No other modality has resulted in such improved self-image, grounding, opening up, and self-understanding. I recommend her highly for anyone whose intention is deep healing. read more

Diane is grounded and centered. Her intention infuses her magical space with a loving presence. My experience with Diane and her skill with understanding how to connect me with the bowls through our connection is transformative. I have had many sessions with Diane and will definitely have more. I will be joining one of her classes in the future. This healing modality is deep and lasting. read more