Have you ever been part of a yoga class that chanted Om at the end? Did you feel lost, confused and unsure as to what or why you should be chanting? Have no fear, most people do the first time they hear it. The information that follows will surely clear up any confusion that you may have revolving around Om.
Om Presentation
The Om symbol is one of the most ancient and most spiritual symbols found in Hindu, Buddhist and Jainist scriptures, temples and monasteries. The visual symbol consists of three curves, one semicircle and a dot. The large curve at the bottom represents the waking state whereas the middle curve represents the dream state. Next, the upper curve represents the state of deep sleep, the dot represents the state of consciousness and lastly, the semicircle. The semicircle separates the dot from the three curves, symbolizing the obstacles one must overcome before attaining consciousness.
You may see Om referred to as AUM sometimes. They have the same meaning, the difference is simply due to transliteration. The sound O in Sanskrit is a blend of the two vowels AU. AUM represents the 3 fold division of time – A being the waking state, U being the state of dreaming and M being the state of deep sleep. The deep pause at the end represents the state of consciousness.
Om is often chanted to open and close mantras but can also be chanted independently. With the power to send vibrations from your solar plexus all the way up and through your chest, the mystical Om awakens the dormant energy lying within you. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that the vibration of Om surrounds all the creations on Earth.
What om means in yoga ?
You may find many yoga studios around the world with names that contain Om, such as Om Yoga Studio. Have you ever wondered why Om is such a big deal in the world of yoga? Why do so many yoga studios use Om or Om Yoga in their names? Om is a mantra often chanted at the beginning and at the end of a yoga class. Yoga is all about uniting and connecting the mind, body and soul. Chanting Om often makes this unification or this connection easier due to the frequency of its vibration. The vibrations that the sound Om creates has the power to bring one deeper into meditation by slowing the nervous system and therefore relaxing the mind.
Why chanting om in yoga ?
When chanting Om, it’s important to pronounce it correctly. The correct pronunciation being AUM, including the silent and invisible syllable at the end. The first syllable A should be pronounced with an elongated “awe” sound that comes from the throat to begin the vibration within you. The next syllable being U should be pronounced with a lengthened “oo” sound that rolls from the back of your throat all the way across your tongue as the vibration continues.
The last syllable pronounced is the M which should be pronounced with an “mmm” sound as your lips come together, filling your chest with the final vibration. The silent and invisible syllable comes as the M fades out and a deep silence rises along with the full sensation of this powerful chant.
All creations found in nature vibrate at a frequency of 432Hz which is the same frequency that the sound Om vibrates at when chanted. Due to the vibrational frequency, chanting Om allows us to feel a sort of connection to the universe and all the other beings that surround us.
The physical effects of chanting Om are equally as present as the spiritual ones. Chanting this simple mantra slows the nervous system and calms the mind which then leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Gabrielle Gobeil