Chanting

The ancient teachings and stories, on which modern Yoga practice is based, were handed down for centuries in verbal form, through precise methods of chanting in Sanskrit, the ancient learned language of India. Chanting has a deep resonance, which many find healing, and chanting can itself be a meditation. It improves the voice, giving it more depth and resonance, and helping one be more genuinely convincing in whatever one says. Chanting opens the ears to music and singing since, being based on just three notes, it is much more accessible than most modern music. By chanting Sanskrit, an ancient language much more strongly articulated than modern languages, one improves one’s diction, and it can even tone the muscles of the face!

When chanting in a group with a teacher one has an appreciation of the manner in which Yoga was learnt traditionally, which is hard to experience any other way. Much of the content of the Classical Texts can be better appreciated if understood with the heart, through chanting, rather than with the head, through study. Chanting is another aspect of Yoga, another path to finding space within, another way of focussing, of developing clarity and concentration, and leaving one feeling awakened and refreshed.

Michael offers one-to-one tuition in chanting and a monthly chanting class held on Sunday mornings near Tadley (meetings currently suspended, but please enquire).