Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant
The opening chant is an acknowledgement of the lineage of yoga teachers and their students who have enabled this ancient practice to survive through thousands of years so that we can experience its benefits today. Reciting the mantra helps to set a tone and intention for practise and prepare our mind, body and emotions so we feel committed to the demands that an Ashtanga practise places upon us.
| Vande Gurunam Charanara vinde Sandarshita Svatma Sukava Bodhe Nihsreyase Jangalikayamane Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai |
I bow to the lotus feet of the Supreme Guru who shares his knowledge and shows to the way to self awakening and greater contentment and enable us to rise above the ignorance of conditioned existence. |
| Abahu Purushakaram Shankha chakrasi Dharinam Sahasra Sirasam Svetam Pranamami Patanjalim |
I kneel before the sage Patanjali who appears as the divine serpent, Ananta holding a conch shell of divine sound, a fire-wheel of infinite time and the sword of Discriminations |
