In my lessons I often use sound, particularly simple vowel sounds, known as Bija Mantras. Sound is a very powerful tool, it can transform and has huge influence on the body and mind.  Bija mantras can be used to help balance body and mind, your own and of those around you. 

So what are Bija Mantras?
The sanskrit word Bija means seed and Mantra means a sound that can carry the mind to a higher plane.  Bija Mantras are vowel sounds, each of which is said to resonate with a particular chakra. Being vowel sounds they have no meaning and are not religious although many see them as sacred due to their historic use and effectiveness.

What are Chakras?
Chakras are often described as energy centres. There are dozens of them throughout the body but seven, through the midline of the body, are best known and are the ones mostly worked with.  In yoga we picture energy (prana) travelling through the body in tiny channels (nadis). Chakras can be seen as spinning wheels, at points in this energy network, which drive prana through the nadis.  With yoga we aim to help energy flow freely and correctly through the nadis so that every part of our being may be nourished and work most effectively. By chanting bija mantras we can help the chakras to work well and help in this process.

Bija mantras for the seven main chakras
LAM – Base chakra
VAM – Sacral chakra
RAM – Navel chakra
YAM – Heart chakra
HAM – Throat chakra
SHAM  – Thrid eye chakra
AUM – Crown chakra

How can we use Bija Mantras?

• Chanting internally, silently, imagining the sound in your mind and not releasing it.
• Chanting aloud, as smoothly as possible as you exhale, whilst sitting or standing in a comfortable position.
• Chanting repeatedly as you exhale, perhaps 20 times per exhale.
• Chanting as you place your hands gently over the corresponding chakra.
• Chanting as you visualise the corresponding chakra.
• Chanting smoothly, once or rapidly, towards the corresponding chakras of a partner, child or baby.   This creates what is often called a sound bath and needs to be done with great sensitivity and playfulness.

Quality
When chanting try to think about; the quality of the sound which you are creating, the timbre of your voice, the smoothness of your breath and the vibrations you are creating and releasing to the world.