Namaste' Sandy Carmellini


A Bit About Chanting

Chanting is an ancient form of dialogue with the Divine

Yoga stems from Hinduism, but Chanting isn’t just for Hindu’s, you’ll find this form in Judaism, Christianity, Native American Indians.

In Yoga all the practices—asana, meditation, pranayama, etc. all lead us closer to merging with the Divine.  Chanting is no different.

When we Chant, the mind quiets. The word MANTRA actually breaks down to MAN, which means “mind,” TRA, which means “free from.”  “To free the mind”

Chanting is also a form of Bhakti (devotional) yoga—another way to get closer to the Universal Supreme Spirit.

Vocalizing frees our voices (fifth chakra). Opens our hearts, and revitalizes our life force or “Prana.”

It works on an energetic level.  Sounds produce physical vibrations and this is powerful when paired with intention.  Imagine, these sounds, this positive energy have been repeated and put out into the universe for thousands of years—they have accumulated, and you add to them each time you chant.  The chants become more unique and beautiful with time

Chanting can be as simple as “OM”—the sacred sound of the universe, Om Mani Padme Hum (Tibetan chant), Om Namaya Shivaya (honoring Shiva), to more advanced chants like the Gayatri Mantra (one of the most powerful and oldest mantras) or the Yoga Sutras (185 Terse Aphorisms by Patanjali).

Don’t worry about staying in tune or getting the words exactly right.  Self-consciousness has no place in chanting.  Don’t be afraid to close your eyes and sway to the rhythm.  The point is to lose yourself in the words and the rhythm as you reach another level of awareness.  When in a room with others you’ll feel the energy rise with the sounds.  Free your voice, free your mind and find yet another way to transformation!