Yoga Chants

The yoga of sound is chanting, and it has been used for ages as an aid for human beings seeking to commune with the divine spirit. Chanting raises the level of vibration of the individual practicing the chant, and it helps them to become more peaceful, calm, and centered.

Medical research has shown that yoga chants have positive benefits for the body. Studies have shown that the use of yoga chants can stabilize the hear rate, lower blood pressure, produce beneficial endorphins in the body and boost metabolic processes. Chanting helps us to relax which helps us both physically and mentally.

A Yoga opening chant can be used at the beginning of a yoga class. Using a yoga opening chant is a great way to help participants lower their stress and set the spiritual tone for the yoga class. A yoga chant can be practiced at any time of the day. You can chant silently to yourself, chant audibly, or listen to recorded chants as you go about your day. Listening to these chants can help to soothe you and energize you as you carry out your daily tasks.

A yoga closing chant is used to bring a meditation session or a yoga class to a peaceful end.

Here is an example of a closing chant taken from the ancient Sanskrit text, the Yoga Sutra:

Om Om Om
Asatho Maa Sath Gamaya
Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya
Mruthyor Maa Amrutham Gamaya.

Om Shanthi. Shanthi. Shanthi.

Now stay in complete silence for a minute.

Lokaa Samastaa Shukino Bhavanthu.


Jai Shree Sat Guru Maharaj Ki!

OM TAT SAT

The English translation is:

Om Om Om
Lead me from unreal to Real
Lead me from darkness to Light
Lead me from death to Immortality.

Om Shanthi. Shanthi. Shanthi. (Peace, peace, peace be to all.)
(This may be followed by a minute of silence.)

May the entire world be happy.

Jai Shree Sat Guru Maharaj Ki!

OM TAT SAT

Recorded Yoga chants can be purchased online, and there are many web sites where you can download sample yoga chants to listen before you buy.

Because of Yoga's ancient Sanskrit roots, chants are usually written and performed in Sanskrit, however their meaning is said to be universal, as Sanskrit is the language of the heart.

Chanting or listening to chants while performing yoga poses will help to calm you mind and open your heart which will enhance your poses. Chanting is invigorating and energizing to the body as well.