Chant a Little Chant
Thursday May 24, 2007
Chanting is not for everyone. For a long time, it was not for me (maybe due to my inability to carry a tune?), but recently I've been going to a class that always starts with chanting and I'm starting to get in to it. The repetition of unfamiliar syllables and the sensation of feeling the sounds leave your mouth at the same time you are hearing them reverberate around the room is soothing and meditative. According to my What's Your Yoga Type? style guide (yes, I am cribbing from my own crib sheet) you can count on getting some singing in Jivamukti and Kundalini classes. Any other chanting-intensive yoga styles I should know about?
Comments
Kirtan is bhakti ( devotional ) yoga.
Anasura classes start with a devotional chant.
I think also Shivananda are starting with chanting.
DO you think it is important to understand what is the meaning of the words??
It’s not that imporatnt for me to understand what I am chanting. It’s fine if I do know, but I’m not really thinking about the meaning, I’m just feeling the sound vibration. I like simple chants that are just a few sounds, like “Sita Ram” or “Hare Ram.” What do you think?
I always enjoy the chanting, but I do think understanding the words is also important.
I’ve recently started attending a monthly Bhakti yoga class, which is 90 minutes of chanting (kirtan) and it ROCKS.
Never thought of myself as a chanter, but boy do you feel amazing afterward. I find myself looking forward to every class, and wishing it was more than once a month. Can’t recommend it highly enough.
And yes, my singing voice (which was never much) is actually beginning to improve.