The use of sound in yoga

After running yoga retreats for many years, this coming October 25th will be the first one that includes a sound bath. It's going to be calming, relaxing, and fun. Please book using the link below.

To book the Recharge Retreat with sound bath on 25 October, click here

Sound starts with silence

The most famous use of sound in yoga is possibly the chanting of OM, often at the beginning or end of a yoga class. In the yoga tradition, it was believed that the world was born from silence, its existence punctuated by a single, holy sound: Om. This sacred syllable is in fact three smoothly linked sounds - ah, ooh, mm - followed by silence. OM can also be used to meditate by simply focussing for a certain amount of time on this special sound (chanting yourself or listening to a recording).

In some yoga lineages, for example Iyengar and Ashtanga yoga, a class will start with a chant with the teacher leading and the students following.

Some breathing techniques (pranayama) work with sound, for example bee breath (bhramari) and victorious breath (ujjayi).

You may find that many yoga teachers are playing music in class these days, and the music chosen will influence the energy and vibe in the room. I sometimes don't use music, to make space for quietude and silence.

Sound baths, like the Tibetan singing bowls on my next retreat, offer a means for deep relaxation and 'switching off' from the world for a while.

For a brief, relaxing yin practice, including gentle music, click here

“Do not be confused between sound and noise. Sound will settle you, noise will not.”