The word ‘mantra’ gets bandied about sometimes, and some yogis may not see where the meanings become separate and where they converge. Many of us have heard of a personal mantra or a business mantra – but these are really more like slogans or quotes than what we understand ‘mantra’ to mean in yogi terms. If you’re dipping your toes into some fresh new beginner yoga lessons this year or if you just want to rekindle your spiritual devotion to your practice, we invite you to learn more about mantras and pick your favorite below.
What Is a Mantra in Yoga?
In yoga, mantras are used to open our connection to the world’s consciousness, as we sink deeper into a meditative state. Mantras have been recorded back for thousands of years, unchanged from the sacred rhythms we hear today, and many of these were carefully constructed by early Hindu/Buddhist practitioners on their spiritual journeys.
Mantras have been known to awaken parts in our brain as we release our focus from any external stimuli and allow our voice to draw ourselves deeper into the moment we inhabit.
Here are 3 mantras to use with japa or mantra meditation.
- OM or AUM.
OM, is the sound with which the entire universe resonates with. It represents the first vibration ever to quiver; it represents birth and death, and the process of rebirth. The natural pitch of the universal vibrations of is at 432 Hertz, which is where OM is found. OM is the perfect way to welcome every new day or to finish the evening in gratitude and satisfaction. - OM NAMAH SHIVAYA.
This translates as an ode to Shiva, who is the supreme lord of transformation and destruction and is known to be dense with healing and cleansing energy. If your January yoga lesson (or life lesson) causes you despair, call on OM NAMAH SHIVAYA to guide you to a place of peaceful stillness in the face of desolation. - LOKAH SAMASTAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU.
This mantra asks that all beings everywhere, human and otherwise, be free and content and that we ourselves may each contribute to the world which can make such happiness and freedom possible. This mantra aligns us with our best intentions to elicit compassion and joyous harmony among all living beings.
Mantras have resounded across the world for millennia, and we are still learning to unravel the mysteries behind the rolling sounds and echoes. Sound and vibrations are where the spiritual and esoteric meet the scientifically verified, and where an open mind and valid research go hand-in-hand to draw the same conclusions.
When using a mantra for meditation it is recommended to count each repetition using a set of japa mala beads. These Buddhist prayer beads are made from different materials and can be easily found online. They can also be worn as spiritual and healing jewlery.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in yoga or meditation this year, come and try a few classes to find the perfect yoga experience for you. Yoga class timetables can be found online, so there is no need to wait for you to try some guided yoga classes and find the perfect experience for you.