If you have been a regular practitioner of Yoga you might be well-versed with the sound of "Om" which symbolically looks like a 30 with a curve above it. The om symbol is a popular aspect of Yoga and is being used by yogis for ages. If you practice Yoga regularly, you must have heard yourself chanting this word at the beginning or end of every class were people in unison chant this word in a collective manner. It might feel weird to match up with their intonation and modulation of this word; however, it is an important element in Yoga.
What is the meaning of Om?
Om is traditionally pronounced as "Aum" which is widely used in meditation and Yoga. It is a famous concept and is used to begin and end a yoga class. In Sanskrit, it means "source" or "supreme" and in Hinduism, it refers to the sound of the universe which helps in establishing a connection of our mind and soul with other elements. of this universe. This term is popularly linked to various cultures like Sanskrit, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
According to Madukya Upanishad which is an ancient text of Hindu beliefs interprets the meaning of Om is divided into three parts. Patanjali, a popular ancient sage believed the sound and meaning of Om or Aum to be divided into three stages that marked the beginning, middle, and end of the universe.
A: represent Brahma , the principle of creation
U: represents Vishnu, principle of sustenance
M: represents, Mahesh or Shiva, the principle of further creation
It is believed that when Om is repeated with a properly modulated intonation, it penetrates our body and soul to establish Restoration.
Why do we chant "Aum"?
As we all know, the entire universe is composed of minute vibrating particles and the humming sound of Aum symbolizes cosmic energy. When we chant this, we are buying a relationship with the cosmic energy and connecting with the universe and nature. The vibrations that are created in this process have a calming impact on our nervous system that helps us to relax and reduce blood pressure.
Application of Aum in Yoga!
The incorporation of Aum in Yoga philosophy is done in various ways.
● Symbolization of Yoga: As you walk past yoga studios and classes, you will notice this symbol painted in various locations of the studios, banners, or the meditating room. This symbol has now become symbolic to Yoga and meditation and whenever you see it, the idea of Yoga rings in your head, it has become so common worldwide.
● Build connections: Yoga enthusiasts and Yogis chant this sound whenever they begin or end a Yoga session or meditation course. It is common when the learners and the practitioners collectively chant this sound and this shows oneness and unity. This helps in establishing meaningful connections among other participants as they voluntarily take part in this process.
● Improve the quality of meditation: Another usage of this sound is to improve the quality of your meditation. When you chant "Aum" as you inhale and exhale deep breaths, you are letting out the negative energy and driving in the positive energy. This effectively helps in deepening the level of meditation practice as it brings your third eye chakra into play.
● To create harmony: Whenever you chant this sound, you are building harmony with your body. You chant this sound with your eyes closed and attract all the positive energies surrounding you and repel all the negativity. It helps in cleansing your body and mind and thus builds harmony across your body. These sounds are overloaded with positive energies that can create balance within the nervous system so that your normal bodily functions are in proper order.
A piece of short and brief information has been provided above on the use and efficiency of "Om" or “Aum" in Yoga. If you practice Yoga regularly, you will witness how every yoga class begins and ends with this sound. It is a universal concept in the field of Yoga and is used worldwide.
Published by yogavidyaschool
2 years ago 
