The Yoga Life: No Need to be a Yogi to Have a Mantra at Her Active Life

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The Yoga Life: No Need to be a Yogi to Have a Mantra

Posted October 29, 2007 at 04:00 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Her Health, Her Motivation

Meditation You don’t have to be a Yogi, to have a mantra

Mantras (aka: positive self talk, daily affirmations, mottos, chants, meditation, prayer) are the most-est, winning-est words of the best-est.

I’m sure you’ve heard of a few select selections, such as…

The mantra of real estate: location, location, location

The mantra of musical prowess (and how to get to Carnegie Hall): practice, practice, practice

And so on, and so on, and so on…

The key to mantras is: repetition, repetition, repetition. The repeating of a sound has both physiological and psychological merit.

Mantras can be a single syllable (Om), a word (gratitude) or even a phrase (today’s the day). Chanting is simply the process of repeating a mantra. The sound (or sound-vibrations) transport us into a state of concentration (and that all consciousness of the external world is excluded), creating an intense self-awareness and inner-strength. We can shut out thoughts, worries, anxieties (or even bodily pains) by focusing all of our attention on our mantra (said out loud or silently spoken to the self).

For athletes, the mantra-method is a remarkable tool (steroid free and simple!). For mothers, sisters, brothers, pet owners, or co-workers, the mantra can be quintessential to sanity.

Relaxation through inner awareness comes in a variety of forms — aside from chanting a mantra. Alternatives are: athletics, yoga, observing nature, a hot shower or bath, viewing art, paying attention to your breathing, listening to a repetitive sound, music or any activity that gives comfort. All relaxation (however achieved) can:

Decrease blood pressure

Reduce the need for insulin

Increase concentration and inner focus

Lower the body’s production of adrenaline

Quiet the mind and emotions

Dr. Marti Glenn, President of the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, supports the practice of mantras and meditation:

“You will find a system for understanding and honoring the different stages of life, breath and the doors it opens to the deeper self, ways to loosen the knots of stress, sooth the senses and calm the wandering mind, expand self awareness and connect with our body wisdom and a heart centered practice to awaken bliss and gratitude.”

Lilias Folan, considered the First Lady of Yoga, and a philosopher and teacher, advises:

“Practice an inner smile (personal mantra) in a shortened version each day as you wake up. In sending love throughout your body, you become more loving to others and more effective in your work. If you have a short time, take a few minutes to radiate the smile throughout your body. Practice in times of stress, anger, fear, impatience, and other draining, low-grade emotions.”

Some of my own personal mantras?

“Thank you”

“To thine own self be true”

“This too shall pass”

Create your own mantra, a ceaseless virtue, uniquely inherent to your psyche, the sound of your own saying, let go of frustration … and … listen, listen, listen (repeat).

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Tags: chanting, favorite sayings, inspiration, lilias folan, mantra, meditation, motivational sayings, motto, om, relaxation benefits, sayings, self-talk, yoga life

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26 Responses to “The Yoga Life: No Need to be a Yogi to Have a Mantra” (Leave a reply)

Whirlpool Parts said:

I’ve started practicing Yoga at home from books and tapes and everyone that saw me or heard about it said I’m nuts and that Yoga can be done only with a instructor. Why would I need one if this sport is all about reaching your inner-self?
March 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM
terenuri Bucuresti from around said:

You can use fire either to cook your lunch or to burn down the forest. It is the same fire. Similarly, mantra can bring a positive and beneficial result, or it can produce an energy meltdown when misused or practiced without some guidance.
March 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Toronto luxury condos said:

mantra can bring a positive and beneficial result, or it can produce an energy meltdown when misused or practiced without some guidance.
April 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Science Of Identity Foundation said:

Hello

According to ancient Vedas, mantras are the Names of God and cannot be created by anyone. If you repeat some words mentioned above this will have some temporary effect. Repeating the God’s Names will have profound and long lasting effects. Some examples of mantras in Sanskrit: Gopala Govinda Rama… Just try it. There are many methods of meditation.

Spirit soul
May 24, 2008 at 03:06 PM
KrishnaCult from Australia said:

Considering that Science of Identity Foundation is a religious organization preaching their own beliefs, I feel it is ok to come up with your own mantras if you don’t follow their system of interpreting the vedas incorrectly.

What I think he meant to say was: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna.

Gopala Govinda Rama is just less recognizable among westerners than what they usually chant.
August 4, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Arizona Massage School from around said:

All Mantras are alike, are equal and have equal efficiency. Jus like fire; all fire burns. Of course, some wood can burn more, if it’s not wet.
August 12, 2008 at 04:03 AM
Toronto Condos said:

Yoga is good for everything, weight loss, toning, flexibility, strength, stamina, relaxation, you name it, yoga does it. thank you for the wonderful post.
November 18, 2008 at 04:33 AM
grand canyon tours from around said:

It sounds easy, but the common experience of most people is that as you sit and try to think about one word or one phrase, your mind is quickly filled with many other thoughts; thoughts about work, financial problems, disputes with people and all kinds of other matters. When this happens, and it certainly will, then you have to bring your mind back to the mantra.
December 3, 2008 at 12:13 PM
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