Chanting Yoga Styles

Chanting Yoga is the only approach that completely emphasizes the spiritual and mind connectivity aspects of the art. By using what followers refer to as "vibrational medicine" participants combine meditation and the repetition of mantras with concentration on sound vibration. The most popular type of chanting yoga is Kundalini. This type was popularized in the United States by its western founder, Yogi Bhajan in 1969.

The repetition of the mantras are designed to make concentration, focus, and clarity easier to achieve and thus free the mind. In addition to abandoning the physical aspect of yoga, chanting yoga does not require any special circumstances or equipment to perform, other than your voice.

The practice of a chanting style of yoga does, however, require the individual to be open minded and faithful that what they are doing is strengthening their mind and their mental stability. While in the beginning it may seem to be trivial, over time, the intent and the benefits will become apparent.

Chanting Yoga has virtually no aerobic benefit as movement is minimal. The only parts of the body employed are the lungs and the throat/mouth when strengthening muscles is concerned. Studies on the effects of this style on the mind and overall well being have been very conclusive and certainly make this style worthwhile.

Specific Purposes of Chanting Yoga

Chanting Yoga is designed to do seven things, all of them geared toward a healthier mind:

• Reduce Stress.

• Increase concentration and a better ability to focus.

• Enlighten the mind through creativity and intelligence.

• Raise the ability to be productive.

• Reduce anxiety and depression.

• Increase healthy ways of living.

• Allow for a longer life.

The health benefits of chanting yoga are entirely based on the memorization of teachings that founded the formation of yoga. In general these teachings promote:

A healthy diet: Followers base their diets on their own physiology and the time of year. This is meant to promote a varying diet and perfect balance of nourishing foods.

A healthier lifestyle: Using prevention techniques by regularizing daily activities and maintaining a higher sense of alertness, followers claim a higher rate of health and lower rate of injuries.

A healthier mind: Followers stress that being attuned to nature through relaxing techniques and redefining themselves based on the laws of nature is of utmost importance.

Healthier Relationships: Finally, followers believe that the true reason for yoga is to have a better understanding of reality and thus provide a means for better relationships and happier families.

Did You Know?

According to studies of the lungs and their function, most people normally only use 25% of their lung's total capacity. With lungs having an estimated 75 million cells, only one quarter of those cells, or around 19 million, are being used every time we breathe.

How to Participate in Chanting Yoga

Chanting Yoga depends on meditation on specific phrases or sounds from the teachings of Yoga. During meditation, the participant should begin by saying a mantra out loud and, when comfortable, whispering it. Finally, the mind should progress naturally into what is referred to as "mental chanting" when the phrase becomes natural and is thus repeated without the employment of the voice.

Some people prefer to say the mantras in their original language. Others prefer to say the mantras translated into their own language. Both methods are considered acceptable.

Below are a few common mantras for the beginner:

"Om... the Jewel is in the Lotus Hum..."

"Lead me from the Real to the Unreal"

"The ecstasy of consciousness is my beloved"

"I bow to the primal Guru (guiding consciousness who takes us to God-Realization), I bow to wisdom through the ages, I bow to True Wisdom, I bow to the great, unseen wisdom."

"Undying, Great death"

Did You Know?

Using several methods of measuring brain waves, scientists in a 2008 study found that several forms of meditation and chanting styles of yoga produced the most numerous and positive effects in a small group of test subjects. In addition, these brain wave gains were most prominent in the portion of the group that was already actively involved in regularly performing a chanting style of yoga by 95%.

The portion that was not already involved in any form of meditation did not do as well with only 65% showing marked differences. In addition, there have several subsequent studies that have further supported similar results.

Chanting Yoga and Vegetarianism

Of special note is this style of yoga's support for a vegetarian diet as part of its teachings. They argue that:

• Our teeth are not designed to chew meat but rather possess the grinding quality for processing vegetables.

• In order for our stomachs to digest meat, they must have large amounts of hydrochloric acid as part of the digestive mix. Omnivores like humans have only 1/20 of the amount normally needed.

• The rate of kidney failure in vegetarians is much lower than with people that regularly eat meat.

• The digestive system of humans is 12 times their body length. Other meat eating animals have digestive systems that are only 1/4 that size. Shorter digestive systems allow fewer toxins from meat to enter the body.

Is Chanting Yoga for You?

It is important to stress that a person wishing to try chanting yoga must have an open mind and really desire to live by the teachings of yoga. Faking a desire for inner peace and unity with nature will do nothing for you.

As chanting yoga is deeply religious and spiritual, people with no religious beliefs will obviously not find the chanting of religious and spiritual very enjoyable. Those with set religious beliefs should understand that mantras are meant to be "living" or applicable to any belief system.