Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and physically demanding practice that offers numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. While many practitioners are familiar with the challenging asanas (postures) and the importance of breath control, there is an often-overlooked aspect of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga that plays a significant role in the practice: the opening and closing chants, also known as mantras.<\/p>\n
These sacred chants hold deep spiritual and philosophical meanings, and they are an integral part of the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of the opening and closing chants in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and explore the benefits they bring to your practice.<\/p>\n
Sound, or “shabda” in Sanskrit, is considered a powerful tool for transformation and healing in yoga. Chants and mantras are used to create a vibrational resonance that can positively impact your body and mind. In Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, two specific chants are recited at the beginning and end of each practice session: the opening and closing chants.<\/p>\n
The opening chant in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is called the “Opening Invocation” or “Opening Mantra.” It is a traditional Sanskrit chant that serves as an invocation to the sage Patanjali, who is regarded as the father of yoga. Additionally, the purpose of this chant is to honor and pay respects to Patanjali, seeking his guidance and blessings for a fruitful and safe practice.<\/p>\n
Reciting the opening chant also helps in grounding and centering your energy. It prepares your mind to transition from the outside world into the focused and meditative state required for the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. This chant acts as a bridge, connecting you to the lineage of yoga practitioners who have walked this path before you.<\/p>\n
The opening chant of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice is known as the “Invocation to Patanjali” or “Patanjali Mantra.” It is traditionally recited at the beginning of an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga session as a way to honor Patanjali, the sage who is believed to have compiled the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in yoga philosophy. Here is the chant along with its meaning:<\/p>\n
Sanskrit Chant:<\/strong><\/p>\n “\u0950 \u0935\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u0917\u0941\u0930\u0942\u0923\u093e\u0902 \u091a\u0930\u0923\u093e\u0930\u0935\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0947 \u0938\u0928\u094d\u0926\u0930\u094d\u0936\u093f\u0924\u0938\u094d\u0935\u093e\u0924\u094d\u092e\u0938\u0941\u0916\u093e\u0935\u092c\u094b\u0927\u0947\u0964<\/p>\n \u0928\u093f\u0903\u0936\u094d\u0930\u0947\u092f\u0938\u0947 \u091c\u093e\u0919\u094d\u0917\u0932\u093f\u0915\u093e\u092f\u092e\u093e\u0928\u0947 \u0938\u0902\u0938\u093e\u0930\u0939\u093e\u0932\u093e\u0939\u0932\u092e\u094b\u0939\u0936\u093e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0948\u0965”<\/p>\n Transliteration:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Om Vande gur\u016b\u1e47\u0101\u1e41 cara\u1e47\u0101ravinde<\/p>\n Sandar\u015bitasv\u0101tmasukh\u0101vabodhe\u0964<\/p>\n Ni\u1e25\u015breyase j\u0101\u1e45galik\u0101yam\u0101ne<\/p>\n Sa\u1e41s\u0101rah\u0101l\u0101halamoha\u015b\u0101ntyai\u0965”<\/p>\n Meaning:<\/strong><\/p>\n In essence, this chant expresses reverence for the guru, the teacher, who guides the practitioner towards the realization of inner happiness and the ultimate state of well-being, while acknowledging the challenges and distractions of worldly life. And it is a humble beginning to a yoga practice, seeking blessings and guidance for a successful and spiritually fulfilling session.<\/p>\n At the end of an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga practice, the closing chant, known as the “Closing Invocation” or “Closing Mantra,” is recited. This chant serves as a way to express gratitude and respect to all the teachers who have passed down the wisdom of yoga through the ages. Moreover, it is a moment to acknowledge the significance of your practice and the transformation it brings.<\/p>\n Sanskrit Chant:<\/strong><\/p>\n “\u0950 \u0938\u094d\u0935\u0938\u094d\u0924\u093f \u092a\u094d\u0930\u091c\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u092a\u0930\u093f\u092a\u093e\u0932\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0902 \u0928\u094d\u092f\u093e\u092f\u0947\u0928 \u092e\u093e\u0930\u094d\u0917\u0947\u0923 \u092e\u0939\u0940\u0902 \u092e\u0939\u0940\u0936\u093e\u0903\u0964<\/p>\n \u0917\u094b\u092c\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0939\u094d\u092e\u0923\u0947\u092d\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u0936\u0941\u092d\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u0941 \u0928\u093f\u0924\u094d\u092f\u0902 \u0932\u094b\u0915\u093e\u0903 \u0938\u092e\u0938\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0903 \u0938\u0941\u0916\u093f\u0928\u094b\u092d\u0935\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0941\u0965”<\/p>\n Transliteration:<\/strong><\/p>\n “Om Svasti praj\u0101bhyah\u0323 parip\u0101layant\u0101m\u0307 ny\u0101yena m\u0101rgen\u0323a mah\u012bm mah\u012b\u015b\u0101h\u0323\u0964<\/p>\n Gobr\u0101hman\u0323ebhyah\u0323 \u015bubham astu nityam\u0307 lok\u0101h\u0323 samast\u0101h\u0323 sukhin\u0323o bhavantu\u0965”<\/p>\n Meaning:<\/strong><\/p>\n In summary, the Closing Mantra offers blessings for the well-being and protection of all beings, invoking the path of righteousness and justice. It expresses the desire for the happiness and auspiciousness of all creatures, including humans, animals, and divine beings.\u00a0 Similarly, this chant is a way to conclude the practice with a sense of gratitude and a wish for harmony and peace in the world.<\/p>\n The closing chant is also a way to transition out of the intense physical and mental aspects of the practice. It allows you to return to a state of balance and equanimity, leaving the yoga mat with a sense of calm and inner peace. The vibrations created by the chant resonate within you, creating a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere.<\/p>\n In conclusion, the opening and closing chants in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga are not mere rituals but profound practices that enhance your yoga experience. They serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, fostering focus, respect, and a deeper connection to the tradition. So, the next time you step onto your yoga mat, remember the power of sound and allow these sacred chants to guide you on your yoga journey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and physically demanding practice that offers numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. While many practitioners are familiar with the challenging asanas (postures) and the importance of breath control, there is an often-overlooked aspect of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga that plays a significant role in the practice: the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-yoga-teacher-training-course"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
The Closing Chant: A Sense of Closure<\/h3>\n
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Closing Mantra offers<\/h3>\n
Benefits of Chanting in Ashtanga VinyasaYoga<\/h3>\n
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