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