Chanting
“Sound is your Essence,” –Upanishads

Why do we chant in yoga class?

Chanting helps us leave all our “stuff” outside yoga class. In some cases, chanting (mantra*) eliminates all our “stuff.”

Chanting almost always helps us deal with the outside world while bringing us inside to our true nature--it makes us happy by connecting us to anahata nadam (The heart center, the “unstruck” sound). Chanting balances the left and right side of the brain; it lowers our blood pressure and it makes us feel good. Chanting unifies us as a group. Everything comes in and out of Om. Sanskrit is a language of “being-ness” and has no adjectives. We become the sound we are chanting. How divine. Om Shantih.

What is Mantra?

“Mantra is a set of sound patterns and thought-forms which can code consciousness into the consciousness of Light. The mantras are holy energy forms of meditation which can be used to charge the body with the powers and rapture of the Divine Mind.”
--from The Book of Knowledge: The Keys of Enoch – J.J. Hurta

Om Mani Padme Hum

“Om – Maah – Neeh – Paaad – Meeeh – Huuum ,” means Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus – to the God Within. Om is the sound of God. Mani, or Jewel refers to enlightened compassion, Padme or “Lotus” symbolizes divine wisdom. It is said that chanting this awakens the vibrations of love, peace, and compassion. Alice Bailey in “A Treatise on Cosmic Fire,” says each syllable of this phrase has a secret potency, and it can bring seven different results.

This mantra is one that is chanted for planetary healing. It is said to evoke the combined energies of the Buddha and the Christ simultaneously releasing blessings known as "The Great Outpouring" when ceremonially chanted during the full moon.

Gayatri Mantra

“Om Bhoor Bhuvah Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat”

As translated by Deborah VanDyke:

Om
Bhoor
Bhuvah
Svaha
Tat
Savitur
Varenyam
Bhargo
Devasya
Dheemahi
Dhiyo
Yo
Nah
Prachodayat

   the ultimate reality, the sound of God.
(or Bhuh Loka) the physical plane and earth
space, ether, mental plane
the celestial plane, heaven, causal plane
Tat – “that” – the essential reality
radiant, luminous, enlightening creative sun – Light
to adore and worship
permeated with bliss and shining light
Divine Grace
to contemplate, to meditate
intelligent understanding
who
us
inspires, enlightens

The Gayatri Mantra is second in sacredness only to OM-- and like everything, contains OM!   “Gaya” means lifeforce and “tri” stands for  protector and so it could be said that the  Gayatri is the protector of the life-force. It is the holiest of the Vedic mantras and is chanted as a sacred universal prayer by Buddhists, Hindus, and many others, going beyond religious boundaries or understanding.

 Gayatri is a universal prayer.  It is said by chanting or listening to this chant that protection and Divine wisdom are bestowed. The Gayatri is sometimes referred to as Sarasvati’s mantra and is considered to be the mother of all mantras and Vedic knowledge; it is considered by many to be the key to opening “Cosmic Consciousness.” It is meditation on spiritual light and is often practiced with a fire ceremony. Chanting this mantra creates an attunement to the masters who have gone before who also chanted this mantra. Many use this mantra as the foundation for their spiritual practices.
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