WHAT IS YOGA: WHY DO YOU ‘OM’?

Introducing our series of blog posts on ‘What Is Yoga.’ We get it. With all the info out there, it can be really difficult and overwhelming for many people in the western world to start to learn about yoga, especially outside of simply doing the poses (‘asana’) in a class. So, we’re here as always to help explain as best we can what yoga is, where it came from and why (and we know we’re biased here but hey!) it’s ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

Read time: 2 mins

So, here’s our first explanation and understanding of the hugely beneficial but often misunderstood ‘Om’.

WHY DO YOU ‘OM’? 

Walking into your first yoga class can be intimidating. First, there’s the stress of not knowing which mat to choose. Secondly, there’s the moment you realise that you have to go barefoot and you haven’t exposed your toes to the world since Christmas….Yikes. Finally, you’re sat there like a lemon looking for the closest escape route in case things get hairy, and then everyone opens their mouth and lets out a giant Ommmmm...

Yep, we’ve been there. It can seem a little unusual if you’re unfamiliar with the practice. However, when you understand the why behind the Om, joining in can become something downright powerful. 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OM?

Om is a sacred, spiritual sound. The purpose and meaning of its use vary between the diverse schools within and across various religious and spiritual traditions but, at the most basic level, Om (when pronounced correctly, it’s more like Aum or ‘Aaaa - Uooo - Mmm’) is a meditational tool that helps to focus the mind at the beginning and end of a yoga practice. 

WHAT DOES OM MEAN? 

It is less of a chant and more a kind of vibration or hum that represents, according to one of the most widely studied ancient yogic texts, the Upanishads, the sound of the “whole world, all past, present, future, and whatever exists beyond time.” The text also sees Om as an audible symbolisation of the “essence of breath, life and everything that exists.” 
To qualify this, it’s said that when Om is sung, it vibrates at the frequency of 432 Hz. This is the same vibrational frequency found in all things throughout nature… cool, eh? If you sit very quietly, you may even hear the sound of Om, like a distant cosmic hum… In this way, Om symbolises our connection to the world around us.

WHEN DO YOU OM? 

One of the reasons we use ‘Om’ to open and close a practice is because it enables us to delineate this time from the rest of our day, signifying the importance and value of taking this time to nurture our mind and body. 

The rhythmic pronunciation and vibrations of Om also have a fairly calming effect on the body and the nervous system - similar to what happens when we meditate - because it forces us to lengthen our exhale. This slows down the breath and the heart rate, therefore triggering our body’s relaxation response (the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in). It’s a practical tool to use at the beginning of class if you feel stressed out or wired from your day so far. 

“The rhythmic pronunciation and vibrations of Om also have a fairly calming effect on the body and the nervous system.”

KEEP THE VIBRATIONS HIGH!

Understandably, if you’re not particularly familiar with ‘OM-ing’, you might feel slightly self-conscious at first. That said, sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone. When you chant Om in a room full of people, it takes you out of your own head and body. And, let’s be honest, we all need a breather from our bods and heads from time to time. 

When you commit to a hearty Om, it can help you to let go of your ego and inhibitions, and allow you to feel deeply connected to those around you. As per the meaning of yoga: union or to yoke(!), Om is a beautiful way to create a sense of union and community. As everyone’s Oms merge together, the voices turn into a kind of sound bath. This immersive, communal experience can be truly binding and generates a feeling of togetherness.

IT’S YOUR PRACTICE, SO DO YOU. 

At the end of the day though, it’s entirely up to you if you Om or not! One of the most important lessons we learn from yoga is to practice with intention. If something doesn’t feel authentic to you, then you’re welcome to let it go. No pressure. Feel free to sit back, observe and enjoy the sound of Om. Whatever you decide, just try not to judge yourself or others.