It took me a long time to feel comfortable chanting om in a yoga class. It is understandably intimidating to be asked to sing in front of a group of relative strangers, especially if you have no idea what the word even means.
My om breakthrough happened when a yoga teacher described the ritual in this way: “Think of om as vibration, not just a sound. And think of chanting as a release or expression, not as a performance.”
If you are feeling shy about joining in on your yoga class om, either because you don’t know what it means or exactly how to do it, then read on.
The Meaning of Om
Om has its origin in the ancient Indian Vedic system as an incantation to be recited at the beginning of ceremonies, rites or readings. It can be found in the traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Yoga.
The symbol and the sound represents the primordial sound of the universe. Om represents the creation, existence, and dissolution of everything in the universe. Om represents the fundamental vibration of the energy of the universe, and is the root of most mantras.
Benefits of Chanting Om
Beyond bringing you into harmony with the energy of the universe and closer to God, there are few more tangible benefits to chanting this sacred yogic mantra!
The main thing that most yoga students find when they fully engage in chanting om is that it releases tension in their abdomen and chest. Just like shaking a jar to release its contents, or using ultrasonic waves to break apart kidney stones, directed vibrations from your vocal-chords will soften and loosen physical tension.
Chanting om is a great way to reduce mental and emotional tensions as well; it helps shift your attention away from stressful thoughts that will distract your mind during your yoga practice.
You may eventually come to experience a deep sense of catharsis through this simple but profound practice, purging mental and physical tension, while also uniting and harmonizing your individual energies with everyone in your yoga class.
How to Chant Om
Om, also spelled phonetically as aum, contains four different parts, or phonemes (distinct units of sound) to focus on during your chanting.
The first sound you release from deep in your belly is ‘Ah’. This sound is known as vaishvanara, meaning ‘beginning’. Once you have sustained this sound for approximately a third of your exhale, move the vibration up into your chest (the fourth chakra) bringing your lips into an ‘O’ shape to pronounce ‘Oh’. This is the second phoneme, called hiranyagarbha, or ‘duration’.
The third part of your verbal release is the sound ‘Mmm’, called iswara or ‘dissolution’. With your lips gently touching, feel the vibration of the sound behind your nose and in your throat, waking up the 5th (throat) chakra.
Finally, once you have expelled all of your breath, gently release all effort and noise, sitting with your eyes closed for the final sound of the sacred mantra: silence.