Chant for Change & The Story of India

The Pancamaya model in yoga represents the 5 dimensions of our human system. This holistic model is why yoga works -- because when you change one of these dimensions, all of the others change as well. This is one of the reasons that I get a bit huffy when people shortchange yoga by calling it exercise. As you can see from the following listing of the mayas, they are ordered from gross to subtle. I've noted in parenthesis what practice works on each dimension. It just goes to show you -- it's not all about asana. 

1. anamaya – physical body (asana) 

2. pranamaya – breath/energy (pranayama, asana)

3. manomaya – intellect/mind (education/learning, meditation and asana [both focus mind])

4. vijnanamaya – personality (meditation, chanting)

5. anandamaya – emotions (meditation, chanting)

If you want to make changes on the subtle levels, don't scrimp on the meditation and chanting. Yes, asana makes us feel good but the quieter practices of meditation and chanting can take us deeper and make deep, long-lasting changes in us.

If you're wanting to work the subtle with chanting, I suggest the following:

• Incorporate chanting into your yoga practice. Let out an "om" while holding Warrior. Or chant So Hum while you're coming down into forward fold. Add Bija sounds to your practice not only feels good, but it's fun. Click here for more Bija sounds. 
• Join a chanting group. MeetUp.com is a great place to find local chanting groups. If you're looking for kirtans in your area, check out your local yoga studios or Spirit Voyage for a schedule of live kirtans. 
• Chant at home with CDs. There are a variety of excellent CDs out there so you can start your own chanting practice at home. 

If you're in the DC area on January 19th, you can join Shiva Rea at Chant 4 Change, the Innaugural Kirtan Festival. Shiva will be joined by a host of talented musicians, including Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, Saul David Raye, Daphne Tse, and Joshua Greene. Click here for more information and to order tickets.

This morning I did a Kundalini chant that I fully enjoyed. And speaking of enjoyment, I can't think of a better way to spend a snowy evening than to watch an installment of The Story of India on PBS. This fabulous series premiered on PBS earlier in the week but will be rebroadcast after the 6 installments are complete. Click here to see a schedule for your area. I've got my DV-R set for the series, as I don't want to miss a minute of this orgy for the mind. A big thank you to my friend Hannah for letting me know about this -- I wouldn't have know about it had she not sent me the link to the Web site. Now I'd like to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Namaste!

Comments

[Yoga]

Hi, this article is so good. I am also a lover of Yoga and Meditation. So I would like to invite you to visit www.emporiointernacional.com

You can find a marvelous book about Yoga and its asanas for each Chakra, in a very clear and easy way.

[ebean]

In NYC, Lululemon has set up a similar event to chant in the new prez!

http://elephantbeans.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/lululemon-ommmm-bama-event/

[Diane Cesa]

KL -- I love your attitude! BRING IT ON!!!!

[Diane Cesa]

You're very welcome Katie! Thank you for your lovely compliment. I'm so glad that you're finding the blog posts to be useful. Namaste!

[insideoutweightloss]

Oh Linda, it's so nice to hear that this series is bringing back good memories. I know that India's pull is strong. You'll be back soon enough.

[KL- Prana Flow NZ]

Yeah for chanting and kirtan! After years of asana, meditation and pranayama... I've only recently begun to seriously chant and I've been blown away by how powerful the practice is.

Bring it on I say.

[Katie]

I've been watching the story of yoga and have my DVR set for the rest of the episodes. It's been great.

Thanks for always sharing such amazing resources!

[believe in yoga]

Hi All, thank you for providing such a detail information. Please visit www.yogagururamdev.com which also gives you information about Yoga. Our goal is to serve every one with their needs and make every one aware of Yoga.

[Linda]

you have no idea how the Story of India makes me feel, as someone who has been there every year for the last 3 years and will return next time this December for 6 months....when I saw the South Indian temples and remembered the shakti that I felt, I began to weep.