The Yoga Life: OM at Her Active Life

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The Yoga Life: OM

Posted January 16, 2008 at 07:00 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Her Fitness, Her Motivation, The Yoga Life

Meditation OM (The Universal Sound)

Description

OM is the sound of the Universe. The vibration of all living things. It is paramount in Hinduism. The sound represents the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. OM is most often chanted as a mantra at the beginning of yoga practice and Yogis constantly meditate on it (in the form of a sound and as a “written” symbol).

Benefits

As an aside: To bring attention inward, calm the mind, a breathing exercise and mantra. As the main benefit: Sound - sound is the main benefit. According to the philosophy behind yoga, everything we wish to do we first of all think, and then it becomes action. Thought is linked to the word, and the word to sound. Thus, sound is the beginning, the essence of all, and absolutely necessary.

How to

The sound is meant to begin deep in the back of the throat, flowing out with an exhalation of breath, the volume of a normal speaking voice. No straining, natural vocal cord massage.

The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.

Val’s View

I hold a special place in my consciousness for OM (my maiden name is Omiatek). Fitting, then, that I’ve been saying, hearing, writing OM {as in OMiatek} since the beginning. Notice the flowing, feminine natured looping design on popular yoga wear. This “logo” may very well be the OM in its “written” form.