MANTRAS
“ Love cannot be obtained for the demand;
it only comes as a gift from the heart of another ”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
The practice of Ashtanga Yoga begins with an opening song, and ends with an closing song. The chants (also called mantras or
invocations) are recited in Sanskrit. These raise the inner frequencies and align the yogis with a universal purpose.
Mantras also allow a vibrant connection with the breath, which has a calming effect.
The opening mantra invites you to access a certain space within yourself, preparing for practice, understanding that what is going to be accomplished is more than physical, and showing gratitude to the lineage of the thousands of teachers, who have transmitted the practice of yoga over the centuries, and allowing us to access it.
The closing mantra is the time to give thanks, to give thanks, to share,
and to offer this inner peace to all beings, to a higher purpose.
Opening chant
Om
Vande Gurunam charanaravinde
Sandarshita svatma sukava bodhe
Nishreyase jangalikayamane
Samara halahala mohashantyai
Abahu purushakaram
Shankhachakrasi dharinam
Sahasra shirasam Shvetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om
Om
Gurus' lotus foot worship and worship
because they reveal the happiness of the true Self
they are the refuge in the dark impenetrable forest of the spirit
turning poison and endless illusion into eternal peace
tribute to the great sage Patañjali
who took the form of a luminous man
wielding a conch, a disc and a sword crowned by
a bright white thousand-headed cobra
Om
Closing chant
Om
Swasti praja bhyah pari pala yantam
Nya yena margena mahi mahishaha
Go brahmanebhyaha shubamastu nityam
Lakaa samastha sukhino bhavantu
Om
Shantih Shantih Shantih
Om
May humanity be well
May the rulers of the world protect with justice
Bless those who know the Earth is a sacred place
May all beings be happy and prosperous.
Om
peace peace peace