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What Does 'Om' Mean?
Om. Ohm. Aum. However you spell it, what sounds like a funky, new age chant is really a powerful tool for change. Here’s the lowdown on the word that does so much for so many:
The Word
Om is a single syllable that is often chanted during yoga mediations. Often heard during the beginning and end of a class, the sound is said to imitate the sound of the universe.
This odd-looking word is actually not pronounced like the word home, without the H. Rather, despite its one-syllable appearance, it is correctly pronounced by sounding out three distinct letters: A, U, and M. The M sound should create a vibration that can be felt from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
In the traditional Hindu religion, om is a sacred word. Each of the sounds is said to represent the three stages of life in Hindu culture: birth, life, and death. The word also stands for the most basic and most pure name for Brahman, or Supreme God in Hinduism.
It’s such a profound word that it’s found at the beginning and end of sacred Hindu texts. One ancient text, the Mandukya Upanishad, is devoted entirely to explaining the meaning of om. The symbol for om also makes frequent appearances in Hindu culture (as well as on yoga t-shirts).
The word is considered a mantra, or sound that when it’s chanted is supposed to spur spiritual transformation. And although it can be used as a traditional religious chant, in many western yoga classes it’s used to produce powerful transformations in the body and mind.
The Way
While the origins of om can be mystical and sometimes confusing, there are practical and effective uses for using it in our caffeinated, 24/7 culture. For instance, it can be used as a focal point for meditations. A yoga student who focuses on the om sound can clear the mind, bringing peace and calmness. When the mind begins to wander, the student can bring his or her attention back to the sound and away from the other clutter in their mind.
The sound is also a tool for healthful breathing. Its long, deliberate pronunciation allows the body to slow down respiration. When breathing in, the mantra increases the amount of life-giving oxygen transferred to the blood and vital organs. While breathing out, the sound allows more time for toxins and byproducts to leave our system.
By slowing down the breathing, the om chant also helps the body to de-stress. During tense situations, the body kicks into high gear by triggering short, shallow breaths, increased pulse rate, and higher blood pressure. Chanting gives the body time to take the deep, oxygenating breaths that put it back into relaxation mode. Even if you’ve never twisted into a yoga pose, try chanting om for several minutes the next time your spouse frustrates you or the neighbor’s dog urinates on your favorite plant.
The mantra has another important use. Some women in labor have reported the sound is calming during the birthing process. Some have even claimed it’s so calming that it helped them deliver their child without the use of pain medication. Used in conjunction with breathing exercises, this special word can be a powerful tool in delivering a healthy baby. If you need to explore birthing options, consider asking your midwife or doctor about using the sounds and breathing techniques as a complementary alternative medicine. Then, after the baby is born, you can chant om to try to calm a fussing or colicky infant.
While om can be soothing, it can also be energizing. When chanted, the word produces a vibration that can reverberate through the body. Yoga students can use the mantra to give themselves a pick-me-up after a long day or energize the body before class.
Students new to the yoga mat might feel self-conscious about pronouncing the word correctly. Don’t be embarrassed. No one will criticize you if you don’t quite get all the sounds properly. With a bit of practice, you’ll find your pronunciation improving. In no time at all, you’ll be less worried about how your om sounds and more focused on the calming changes it can bring to your life.
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