OR WHAT’S THAT SINGING AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF CLASS ALL ABOUT?

 

The chant at the end of class is a freedom invocation with the following meaning and words-

“Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu”

“Let all beings everywhere be happy and free.”

And may my own thoughts, words and actions contribute to that intention.

And let us remember that we wish that upon ourselves too.

 

The short chant at the beginning and end of class with the word-

“OM”

Indicates in a calm way that we are ready to start our formal yoga practice and are willing to calm our minds and open our hearts. At the end of class, it is a sign of recognizing and sealing in our formal practice and that we embrace the shifts, learnings, and experiences that occurred on the mat, and carry them with us into our day to day lives, into yoga off the mat. (there will be a blog post further explaining the meaning of OM in the next newsletter).

If you’ve been to a yoga class with me, you know I do love ritual, as it is calming to our nervous systems and it is a way to ease the new, as well as the seasoned yoga practitioner into a formal yoga practice.  You may arrive in class having made your way through heavy traffic, or still be mentally engaged in your day and so the chant, the stimulation of your throat, your throat chakra, as well as your vagus nerve (more on that in other blog) and the ritual, will ready you for calm, focus and balance in your yoga practice.

Even though there is never ever an expectation towards you to participate in the chant, your being part of the yoga class will have a soothing effect on you.

I invite you though to explore your own voice.  Sing the chant out loud, or as quietly as you wish. Let your voice, your breath, your yoga practice and your life be an exploration of your full potential. Enjoy!

lokah:                           means a location

samastah:                    means all beings share this same location

sukhino:                       means centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering

bhav:                            means being in a divine mood, one with the universe

antu:                            means may it be so, it must be so

 

Thank you for your curiosity.