Unzile is a retired businesswoman who has found peace in holistic healing, yoga, and meditation. She is originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and runs a cozy coffee shop in Kas, a beautiful, quiet town. But yoga and meditation aren’t the only things that calm Unzile’s life—she has also discovered a special musical instrument called the handpan.
How Unzile Found the Handpan
Unzile first heard the handpan by accident. About ten years ago, while visiting Paris with her daughter, she heard a soothing sound that filled the air. The sound led her to two backpackers playing an unfamiliar instrument on the street near a church. This instrument was the handpan.
The music stayed with her, but it wasn’t until five years later that she heard the sound again. This time, it was at home. Her daughter found a video online and recognized the sound her mother loved in Paris. “Look, Mom, I found that instrument you loved in Paris,” she said. This brought the handpan back into Unzile’s life.
The Handpan: A Unique Instrument
The handpan is a fairly new instrument, created around the year 2000 by a Swiss couple, Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer. It’s made from two half-shells of steel glued together at the rim. The top part has a central note surrounded by eight or more tone fields that produce different pitches when tapped. The bottom has a single hole that helps project the sound.
The handpan’s sound is often described as calming, meditative, and even otherworldly. It’s a popular instrument for relaxation and meditation. For Unzile, the handpan’s sound was like nothing she had ever heard—a perfect match for her spiritual journey.
“The sound is like space. It’s very relaxing,” Unzile shared in a recent interview. This unique sound is what drew her to the instrument and inspired her to learn how to play it.
Learning to Play the Handpan
After hearing the handpan again online, Unzile wanted to learn how to play it. One day, while walking through Antalya, she noticed the handpan in a music and art center. She inquired about lessons and soon signed up for a few sessions.
Though she is just starting, Unzile is in no rush. She enjoys taking her time and learning at her own pace. “I will take my time and slowly learn to play it,” she said. With the help of YouTube videos and her own determination, she is gradually mastering the instrument.
The Handpan’s Healing Power
For Unzile, the handpan is more than just a musical instrument—it’s a tool for healing. Its soothing tones help to relax the mind and body, making it a perfect companion for yoga and meditation, which are already a big part of her life.
In today’s fast-paced world, the handpan offers a way to find peace and balance. Unzile believes in the importance of listening to one’s inner voice and energy body. “If you love your body, please love your energy body,” she advises. “Your energy body will guide you to the right place.”
A Simple Message of Peace
As Unzile continues her journey with the handpan, she hopes to share the benefits of healing and relaxation with others. Whether through yoga, meditation, or the calming sounds of the handpan, she encourages everyone to find their way to inner peace.
In her final words, Unzile offers simple yet powerful advice: “Please listen to your inner voice, your energy body. It will take you to the right place.” Through her journey, she hopes to inspire others to connect with their true selves and find peace in their own lives.
