Chanting

Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant

The Opening Prayer is a blessing of gratitude offered to the lineage of teachers and their students who have enabled this ancient practice to survive through thousands of years so that we can experience its benefits today. The recitation of this mantra cleanses the energy of the space we have chosen to practice yoga, as well as preparing the mind, body, and emotions for the forthcoming Ashtanga sequence.

Om
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarshita Svatma Sukava Bodhe
Nih Sreyase Jangalikayamane
Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai

Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhacakrsi Dharinam
Sahasra Sirasam Svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om

Translation

om

I bow to the lotus feet of the Supreme Guru
which awaken insight into the happiness of pure Being,
which are the refuge, the jungle physician,
which eliminate the delusion caused by the poisonous herb of Samsara (conditioned existence).

I prostrate before the sage Patanjali
who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as the divine serpent, Ananta)
and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man
holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time) and a sword (discrimination).

om

Ashtanga Yoga Closing Chant

The Closing Prayer brings the practice to a peaceful end; sealing in the work done and offering the efforts of our practice to improve the state of the world.

Om

Svasthi Praja Bhyaha Pari Pala Yantam
     Nya Yena Margena Mahim Mahishaha
   Go Brahmanebhyaha Shubamastu Nityam
    Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
   Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Translation

May the rulers of the earth keep to the path of virtue
For protecting the welfare of all generations.
  May the religious, and all peoples be forever blessed,
  May all beings everywhere be happy and free
   Om peace, peace, perfect peace

Manju leads group through some Vedic Shanti mantras at Chicago Yoga Center. Summer 2017.