What is the Purpose of Chanting in Yoga
and its benefits!
Chanting is a rhythmic repetition of a sound. It can be in the form of a song, a prayer, a word, a sound, or a syllable. According to the Indian yoga tradition, the sound has healing powers.
Chanting during yoga improves the level of concentration and devotion. It calms the mind, enhances awareness, and helps you connect with your higher and divine self. In simple words, chanting is the yoga of the mind.
Other than Om, there are various other mantras as well. Chanting these mantras can help in achieving the ultimate salvation or union with the supreme consciousness.
Here is all you need to know about mantra chanting in yoga.
What is yoga chanting?
Chanting is a part of the ‘ashtanga’ or eight limbs of yoga. Chanting during a yoga class can help us transcend into the more profound areas of our existence.
It can help us connect with spirit and with God. Yogis believe that every human being is rooted in the divine, and through chanting, we can connect with that supreme power.
What are the benefits of mantra chanting in yoga?
Mantra is the spiritual dimension of yoga.
The word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words – ‘Man’ and ‘Tra,’ which comes from Mananat Trayate, which means constant thinking.
Chanting mantras can significantly affect all three aspects of life: physical, mental, and spiritual.
It’s not necessarily the chosen mantra but the energy, intention, and vibration behind it that matters the most.
Some of the benefits of mantra chanting are listed below:
1. Relaxes Mind and Body
Mantras directly and positively affect our minds, which is scientifically proven.
Chanting is also known to offer peace of mind. A study shows that chanting ‘Om‘ can increase mental awareness and even stabilize heart rate and blood pressure.
2. Acts as a Stress Buster
Chanting mantras also affects your mood; it can help your mind release positive energy to help fight stress.
Scientific studies show that chanting mantras for just 10 minutes can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression in an individual.
3. Improve Concentration Level
Apart from uplifting your mood, mantras can also improve your concentration levels and attention span.
This is because repeating the same mantra occupies your mind and prevents it from drifting away, which trains your focus and awareness.
4. Better control over breath
While the chanter repeats the mantra, they are also able to attain a natural breathing rhythm.
It may take them some time to get familiar with the breathing exercises (Pranayama). Still, once you get accustomed, the entire process will be a lot easier and effective.
Types of yoga with chanting
Om (the universal mantra) is one of the most common mantras traditionally chanted at the beginning and the end of a yoga session. Since Om is the universal mantra, you can chant it before and after any yoga and meditation sessions.
When pronounced correctly, the mantra sounds like ‘aum’ and consists of four syllables: A, U, M, and the silent syllable.
Various types of yoga involve chanting of mantras:
Ashtanga Yoga
The recitation of the opening mantra of Ashtanga yoga helps in cleansing the space’s energy and prepares your mind, body, and emotions for the upcoming Ashtanga sequence. The closing mantra brings the practice to a peaceful end and helps us gain maximum benefits from it.
Hatha Yoga
The opening mantra of Hatha yoga comes from the Rig Veda and is known as the “great death-conquering” mantra.
Chanting this mantra can have healing and rejuvenating effects. The closing mantra is Asatoma Sadgamaya – the mantra of peace.
It is derived from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishads. Reciting it helps attain inner peace and soothes the mind.
Iyengar Yoga
This opening and closing prayer of Iyengar yoga is a tribute to the sage Patanjali (the author of the Yoga Sutras), who is believed to be the embodiment of the thousand-headed serpent-king (Adishesha).
One can also chant sun salutation mantras while performing Surya Namaskar. With this, you open up your mind and body to receive energy from the sun, and the mantras help transfer and assimilate that energy.
Other than this, one can also chant mantras while performing Pranayama.
These mantras come from the Prashna Upanishad, which helps in distinguishing breath itself from Prana (soul).
There are two primary practices of mantra in yoga:
Japa: Repetition of a mantra or name of a deity is known as Japa.
Kirtan: Kirtan is a devotional practice that involves chanting and is accompanied by classical Indian musical instruments. It is usually performed in groups that make the vibration that much stronger.
Chanting in Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga involves chanting of mantras, breathing exercises, singing, and repetitive poses (asanas).
Kundalini yoga has several mantras with a total of eight sounds.
Chanting mantras can help create a rhythm that can stimulate and nourish each chakra.
Practicing these mantras initiate the divine resonance of Kundalini energy (shakti) within the mind and body. Kundalini mantras are usually in Gurmukhi, which is a sacred Indian language.
Kundalini energy is spiritual energy said to be located at the base of the spine. Asanas, pranayama, mudra, and bandha, are other forms of yoga that can stimulate the awakening of the energy.
Mantras Used and Meanings
Some of the common mantras used in Kundalini Yoga are:
Mantra | Meaning |
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo (The Adi Mantra) | I bow to the creative wisdom. I bow to the divine teacher within myself. |
Sat Nam (Bij Mantra) | Truth is my identity. |
Guru Guru Wahe Guru Guru Ram Das Guru | Wise, wise is the one who serves Infinity. |
Ek Ong Kar, Sat Nam, Karta Purkh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, Akal Moort, Ajuni, Sai Bhang, Gur Prasad, Jap, Ad Such, Jugad Such, Habhe Such, Nanak Hosi Bhee Such (Mul Mantra) | The creator of all is One. Truth is His Name. He does everything, fearless, without anger, eternal, unborn, self-realized, realized through Guru’s Grace. He was true in the beginning, true through all the ages, true even now. Nanak shall ever be true. |
Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung (Siri Gaitri Mantra) | This is the earth and ether mantra. ‘Ra’ is the sun, ‘Ma’ is the Moon, ‘Da’ is earth, and ‘Sa’ is infinity. And ‘So Hung’ means ‘I am Thou’.’ Thus, the mantra means I am the sun, the moon, the earth, and the infinity. |
Sa Ta Na Ma (Panj Shabad) (the root syllables of Sat Nam) | This mantra expresses the five sounds of the universe — “S” refers to infinity, “T” is life, “N” refers to death, “M” means rebirth, and the fifth sound is “A,” connecting all four. |
What is the best time for chanting mantras?
Brahmamahurta (4 AM) is considered to be the best time for chanting mantras. This is precisely one and half hours before sunrise, which is considered to be highly auspicious.
It is also the best time for rising in the morning as this is the purest and most unpolluted time of the day. Chanting during the transition periods like dawn and dusk is also considered to be beneficial.
One can also chant mantras before going to bed. However, it must be noted that one should have utmost faith in their guru or mantra for the mantras to be effective.
What other things can you do instead of chanting?
Different sounds, rhythms, and vibrations affect people in different ways. With the right sounds, you can align your mind, body, and soul.
Here are a few things that you can do other than chanting mantras:
Mouna
Mouna is a vow of silence. The mouni (one who practices mouna) has to refrain from verbal speech and nonverbal forms of communication as well.
This helps in attaining the utmost peace and thus controlling anger and channelizing emotions.
Humming Bee Breath
This is similar to chanting the Om mantra but without the first two syllables.
All you need to do is lightly press your lips together and breathe through your nose.
While you exhale, you need to make a smooth and even humming sound. Continue for 3 to 5 minutes, and you will sense the vibrations throughout the body.
Toning Sounds
Sounds used for harmonizing and balancing your energetic pathways and physiology disproportions are called toning sounds.
It involves making a sound with an elongated vowel for an extended period to create a vibration. With the correct vibrations, you can correct the imbalance.
Following are some of the toning sounds used for different body parts:
Toning Sound | Used For |
Mmm | Sinuses |
Nnn | Ears |
Eemm | Eyes |
Lmm | Nose |
Paam | Stomach |
Kaa Gaa Gha | Throat |
Yaa Yu Yi | Jaw |
Haa | Diaphragm |
Mam | Reproductive Organs |
Ma | Heart |
Sssss | Lungs, large intestine |
Shhh | Liver, small intestine |
Wooo | Kidneys, bladder |
Uu-Ah-Ee-Mm | Energizes mind |
Mm-Ee-Ah-Uu | Relaxes mind |
Conclusion
Sound has been used for physical, mental, and spiritual healing for the longest time.
Whether you chant mantras or perform Mauna, with consistency and faith, you will be able to attain inner peace and enjoy supreme bliss!