The Benefits of Om Chanting

 

Although the chanting of Om may bring back memories of that yoga class you used to take, the Indians have been chanting Om for thousands of years as it creates healing vibrations and the symbol represents purity in Hindu religious households.  You might not have realized it then, but chanting this Om has many beneficial health benefits that encourage good physical and mental health!  Chanting Om will create certain healing vibrations the entire body will feel, and anyone can do it without using his or her tongue.  Om is the sound within us that connects us to all of nature and the entire universe.  Om is used to energize our mind and body and is a sacred sound in Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Jainism.  

Chanting Om helps improve concentration as your mind becomes focused on this Sanskrit word.  You detach yourself from the world, from worries and tensions.  You begin to become attentive to what you are doing in the moment, and become more focused.  As you become more centered, your stress and anxiety is reduced.  Your stomach muscles and other muscles of your body begin to relax.  A feeling of peace within wells in your inner core.  As you turn inward, you being to know more about your inner self.  Our inner worlds are just as important as our outer world, so when there is peace within ourselves, there will be peace outside ourselves also.  For it is how we percieve the world, that creates either stress and anxiety or peace and joy.  

As we chant this ancient word Om, our stress is reduced, our mood swings are reduced and our ability to perform is increased.  As we reduce our stress, the toxins produced by stress (including increased cortisol levels) are greatly reduced and you begin to feel happy, rejuvenated and at peace.  When your toxic load is reduced by practicing Om and meditation regularly, your body will be detoxified.  Breathing deeply during meditation helps eliminate toxins as well as the improvement in blood circulation and oxygen enriched blood reaching each and every cell of your body.  Your heart and digestive system begin to function more efficiently and effectively which assists in controlling your blood pressure and the symptoms of hypertension.  

Chanting Om assists in bringing positive thoughts into your mind and reducing or eliminating negative ones.  When our minds are cluttered or disturbed, we cannot think clearly.  We become engulfed in negative feeling and emotion.  But when we turn inward, we start to focus on the positive, we become at peace with ourselves and our surroundings.  By thinking clearly, we can start making the right decisions for ourselves even in the midst of difficult situations.  

After a session of chanting Om, you will also notice that you begin to sleep better.  By practicing Om regularly, you get your body back on a sound sleep cycle.  Stress and a hectic lifestyle have traumatic repurcussions on our bodies.  When you stay up late and wake up late in the morning, your entire circadian rhythm is disrupted.  Chanting Om helps you fall asleep quicker, sounder and ensures you get enough of the sleep that you need.  

Check out my Facebook page, The Healthy Hapa, for a link to an Om chanting session.  Meditation and chanting are important for health, wellbeing and, of course, a sound nights sleep!