Understanding the Significance of OM in Yoga
Have you ever wondered why yoga classes often include the chanting of “OM”? This ancient sound, known as “AUM” in Sanskrit, holds a profound significance in the practice of yoga. It is often referred to as the primordial sound, the very essence of the universe’s vibration.
The Origin of OM
OM, or AUM, is an ancient Sanskrit word that is considered to be the first sound of creation. It is believed to be the most fundamental and natural vibration in the universe. George Feurstein, a renowned scholar, once said that OM is often seen as the most primordial sound, resonating in the most subtle way in the universe. This belief is shared by both ancient yoga wisdom and modern quantum mechanics.
The Science Behind OM
According to scientific research, everything in the universe is in a state of vibration, and nothing is absolutely stationary. When you chant OM, you are resonating at a frequency of 432 Hz, which is the frequency of everything in the universe. This means that when you chant OM, you are connecting with the entire external world.
The Symbolism of OM in Yoga
In the world of yoga, OM is symbolized as the symbol of the entire yoga world. Just like when you say “Tai Chi,” you think of the black and white Tai Chi diagram, OM represents the entire yoga world.
The Power of OM
According to B.K.S. Iyengar, God is beyond vibration, but vibration is the most exquisite creation form of God in the material world. The sound of OM, which means “resonating with the inner self,” leads us inward. Chanting this simplest mantra affects our nervous system and also makes us focus on our inner situation.
The Healing Power of OM
OM is considered to be the most powerful and soothing of all mantras in yoga. Therefore, when you are restless and unable to calm down, chanting OM can calm your breathing and heartbeat, enter a state of stillness and breath-holding, and bring awareness and authenticity to your body.
The Benefits of Chanting OM
Long-term chanting of OM is believed to help develop the brain, activate body functions, improve immunity, and reduce the occurrence of diseases. Chanting OM can also be considered a form of internal massage. When you make a sound, its resonance cavity is in various parts of the body, such as the forehead, throat, or Dan Tian. The vibration produced when you make a sound is equivalent to massaging the chakras (in yoga, there are seven chakras, which are the seven energy centers of the human body).
How to Chant OM
The pronunciation of OM is composed of three letters: A, U, and M. The pronunciation of A is “Ah,” the pronunciation of U is “Ooh,” and the pronunciation of M is “Mmm.” The entire pronunciation is relatively peaceful and harmonious.
The Three Stages of OM
The pronunciation of OM represents three stages. A refers to the conscious stage, where we are still connected to the outside world. When we chant, we pronounce through the throat and the back of the lips, the tongue is fixed, and the lower abdomen feels the resonance of the sound.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Conscious stage, connected to the outside world |
| U | Sleep stage, connected to the inner world of dreams, thoughts, and memories |
| M | No-dream stage, entering a higher level |
U refers to the sleep stage, where we connect with our inner world of dreams, thoughts, and memories. When we chant, the sound flows from the lips and tongue, and we feel the vibration in the abdomen.
M represents the no-dream stage, also represents entering another higher level. When we chant this pronunciation, the lips are closed, and we feel the vibration at the top of the head.
