Exploring the Power of Om in Yoga and Meditation
I have had this question lately about the significance of OM (sometimes spelled AUM) at the beginning and/or the end of the class.
If you have been to a yoga class before, you’ve probably experienced the OM practice to open and end of the class.
It is a sacred sound and a spiritual icon in Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism. The sound is thought to symbolize the core of ultimate reality or consciousness.
Let’s explore several of the benefits of this sound:
1/ Focus and concentration:
This sound helps to focus and concentrate before meditation or yoga practice:
Chanting Om helps to calm the mind and bring about a state of focused concentration, which is beneficial for meditation and yoga practice.
The more you practice the better it begins a signal, like an anchor to signal to your body that you can start to focus for your yoga or meditation practice.
2/ Vibration and Energy:
The sound of Om has a specific vibration that resonates throughout the body, promoting a sense of inner peace and balance. You can feel it throughout your whole body. When practiced by several people at the same time it can be a really interesting communion experience .
3/Breath Control:
To pronounce Om you have to combinate three sounds - 'A,' 'U,' and 'M.' This corresponds to the natural cycle of breath - inhalation, exhalation, and the pause in between. Chanting Om is therefore linked to breath control, an integral part of many yoga practices.
4/Symbolism & Connection to the Divine:
In Hinduism, Om is considered a representation of the ultimate reality or divine consciousness. Chanting it is a way to connect with the spiritual aspect of yoga. The visual symbol for Om, often written as "ॐ," is rich in symbolism. The three curves, the dot, and the semi-circle represent various aspects of the divine and the self.
Although Om holds spiritual importance in specific religious traditions, it is also widely accepted as a universal symbol of spirituality and finds common use in secular yoga practices and mindfulness and even Madonna named a song OM.
That being said, chanting Om can be a deeply personal and meaningful aspect of one's yoga or meditation routine, irrespective of religious beliefs.
So, don't hesitate to embrace the practice in class and immerse yourself in the vibrations, focus, and energy that Om brings.