Meditative movements with mantra
Learn more about AYC’s newest class, led by Denise Duprat each Thursday at 6.30pm
By Denise Duprat
The word Mantra can be defined as that which protects the mind. A Mantra can be understood as a tool of the mind, a sacred utterance, word, phrase, or sound that is repeated out loud or silently. These sounds link the mind to something positive. Through their repetition, we seek to awaken certain qualities in ourselves. Qualities such as: peace, mental clarity, faith, courage, stability, happiness, compassion.
Some sounds are considered a means to connect with the divine inside of us, and to a divine source from which all existence originates
Samantraka means that which is reinforced or solemnised by the recitation of a mantra. Krishnamacharya insisted that any yoga practice (āsana-s, prāṇāyāma, meditation), should be practised Samantraka - with mantra - as this accentuates and strengthens the effect of the practice. The proposal of this class is to use the sound of the Mantra as a focus of meditation.
We will begin by introducing the meaning, the energy that we will invoke through the mantra, and learn its correct pronunciation and intonation.
Then we will begin to move through the Āsanas (body postures) repeating the mantra audibly during the standing postures, and progressively as the practice progresses toward the floor, the volume of the mantra will be lowered until it becomes a mental sound.
Having prepared the body, the breath and the mind, we will sit comfortably for the practice of Prāṇāyāma (breath techniques), where the mantra will be used as a breathing metric, focusing on the pause after inhaling, to leave the mind alert and focused for the meditation process.
During the Dhyānam (meditation) process we will introduce other elements such as:
Saṁkalpa - fixing an intention
Nyāsa-s - placing the hands on different parts of the body, reciting the mantra, with the purpose of opening unconscious portals in our body
Mantra Japa - repetition of the sound with intention, visualising its attributes, the mantra can flow to all parts of ourselves and reach our unconscious structures.
Towards the end of the practice, we will lie down, remain in stillness, allowing time for the fruits of the practice to settle. In this open-hearted state we will receive a chant recited by the teacher.
Our practice will seek to achieve a deep connection with the Mantra’s attributes, and in that inner state of mind, plant a seed that brings a positive change in our lives. The seed of change will depend on the archetype of energy we invoke through the Mantra and the individual needs.
Each proposal will be held for 5-6 meetings, in this way we allow time for the seed to germinate. Students who wish may ask the teacher to send them an audio of the mantra and a shorter version of the practice so that they can do it at home to deepen the experience.
Experience this special class for yourself, each Thursday evening at 6.30pm.