An Epiphany could come in any form and it changes the way you live ...
When I signed up for a two week intensive vedic chanting workshop at Chennai's Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram three and a half years ago , little did I know what I was getting into . Not only did the mantras fill me with positive vibes, but I found a huge difference in my breathing patterns.
After all chanting is an exhalation that requires supreme control over the breath . Also there's an immense amount of concentration to get it right . The correct pronounciation, which is called varna in sanskri , and the correct use of tones, or swaras are essential to ensure that the meaning of the mantra doesnt change .
Even if you dont understand Sanskrit , I feel that recognising the different qualities of the mantras is instinctive- they can be meditative , energising , heating , cooling or balancing .
When I signed up for a two week intensive vedic chanting workshop at Chennai's Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram three and a half years ago , little did I know what I was getting into . Not only did the mantras fill me with positive vibes, but I found a huge difference in my breathing patterns.
After all chanting is an exhalation that requires supreme control over the breath . Also there's an immense amount of concentration to get it right . The correct pronounciation, which is called varna in sanskri , and the correct use of tones, or swaras are essential to ensure that the meaning of the mantra doesnt change .
Even if you dont understand Sanskrit , I feel that recognising the different qualities of the mantras is instinctive- they can be meditative , energising , heating , cooling or balancing .
The classical way of learning Vedic chanting is through the process of adhyayanam , which involves listening to the teacher and then repeating the mantras , promoting memory and focus .
For me, the everyday became a sadhana , a discipline that I maintain along with my yoga practice . Vedic chanting is a dying art and i am commited now to protecting it and spreading the message of the Vedas . So I followed up the workshop with a two year teacher training course , during which I also did a recording for the opening ceremony of the Common wealth games held in Delhi in 2010.
I now continue to teach and amalgamate the practice of yoga ,chanting and body work in different parts of India and overseas .
