Chanting
The wisdom teachings of Yoga
protect the mind and nourish the heart
Mantra
To Protect
Mantra is a sound, a syllable, phonemes, a word, series of words repeated to develop concentration and create connection. They are often in the Sanskrit language having a healing resonance for the body, mind and spirit.
Yoga classes are often opened with the chanting to purify the space , ourselves and to connect.
In Beginner Level classes this is often the syllable Om. It is the sonic resonance of the Absolute Truth, of love, and consciousness. It is not symbolic of something sacred. It is the vibration of love in its purest form, as affected by the voice and intentions behind the utterance.
In Intermediate classes other mantras and slokas are introduced. Shloka, is an ancient Sanskrit language word, meaning “song” They are verses or poems set to a certain meter, or rhythm. The Patanjali Invocation is often chanted at the start of Iyengar Yoga Classes. It is a shloka honoring Sage Patanjali, the compiler of the Yoga Sutras.
Sanskrit
Language of Yoga
The ancient texts of Yoga are written in Sanskrit. It is an ancient, classical language of India originating as Vedic Sanskrit as early as 1700-1200 BCE.. It is an Indo-European Language that is the basis of many Indian and some Asian languages. It is no longer spoken yet is studied for its rich cultural, philosophical and sonic heritage. It is the primary language of Hindu, Jain and some Buddhist texts , aswell as the Indian Arts and Literature.
Sanskrit Language can be writen in a variety of scripts. It can use Roman alphabet which includes the use of diacritic marks. If is most often writen in Devanagari (देवनागरी) it is known for is characteristic top horizontal line. This script is also used for Hindi, and Nepali.
Yoga Postures are named in Sanskrit. As Professor Edwin Bryant affectionatly says ‘Don’t be afraid of the Sanskrit!’ Let is wash over you and it will go in. He advises opening your ears and mind to the sanskrit words, and through repetition they will become familiar. Just as we practice Downward Facing Dog Posture a thousand times, so too we open to its snaksirt name Adho Mukha Svanasana. As we do other Yogis terms that are in many ways untranslatatble like Dharma, Prana, Citta, and Shakti
Kirtan
Singing from the heart
Singing or chanting the names of the divine is the devotional practice of Kirtan. Typically they are songs with two lines , often in Sanskrit, that are repeated for 5 minutes to 15 minutes and more. The individual becomes absorbed in the Rasa (the feeling) of the words, the melody and the sentiment. They may also feel connection with the divine presence being invoked through the song and a sense of belonging in the group sound.
Sarra and friends offer Kirtan in Cranleigh, Surrey and in Forest Row, Sussex. If you are interested in attending please contact Sarra.