Om in Yoga and Meditation

Om is a simple sound with a complex meaning. It encompasses the whole universe into a single word, representing the union of mind, body, and spirit. It is the heart of yoga.

The Power of Om

In the Hindu tradition, the sound of om contains the entire universe. It is the first sound from the beginning of time and encompasses the present and future. As such, its importance and power are difficult to overstate. It is connected to Ajna chakra, the third eye, representing intuition and self-knowledge.

Om is also a seed syllable used as a building block for many other mantras during meditation. For example, om namah shivaya means "I honor the divinity within myself." Om shanti means "peace be with you" and is an alternative to saying goodbye.

While yoga is not a religion, om and om-containing mantras are commonly used in spiritual practices and afford great respect. Being mindful of its religious and historical significance makes it easier to use the same respect when incorporating om into your daily life or yoga practice.

Om in Yoga

In a yoga setting, the chanting of om at the beginning of class ushers practitioners into the time and space about to be spent on the mat or in meditation. Likewise, an om at the end of class signifies that your physical practice has ended and it is time to reenter society.

Chanting with a group of people also serves to unify the group and create a sense of community. As you feel the vibration of the chant and lose the sound of your voice among your classmates, it's possible to feel at one with others and even the universe.

Om Symbol

Om is commonly shown as ॐ which is a cursive ligature in Devanagari that combines अ (a) with उ (u) and the chandrabindu (ँ, or ṃ). The social icon or emoji of ॐ symbolizes the sound Om, which is sacred. In Sanskrit, the vowels a and u together sound like o, to make the sound of Om, which is "a-u-m." These three letters represent significant cultural triads: earth, atmosphere, and heaven; thought, speech, and action; the three qualities (gunas) of matter (goodness, passion, and darkness).

The Science of Om

Scientists have researched the effects on the brain of the vibrations created by chanting. One small study and a follow-up evaluated the effect of using om as a mantra by taking functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brains of participants as they chanted om and also the sound "sss" as a control.

Promotes Relaxation

The follow-up study, published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, noted that om chanting is associated with an experience of relaxation, specifically citing beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, and other internal functions. It also saw a deactivation of limbic brain regions, controlling emotion, memories, and arousal.

Yet another study found chanting om loudly for 30 minutes significantly increased theta brain waves, signaling deep relaxation. It also changes delta waves, which are the same waves experienced when in a deep, dreamless sleep.

May Have Mental Health Benefits

Researchers also observed brain activity during the om periods similar to that created by vagus nerve stimulation, which is used to treat depression and epilepsy. Scientists concluded that chanting om may have potential in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Although these results are preliminary, they offer scientific support for the positive effects many people experience from chanting om. 

The Om Symbol

The om symbol has become the unofficial logo of yoga. You see it on yoga mats and T-shirts, painted on studio walls, and tattooed onto the bodies of some yogis.

It's such a ubiquitous image in the yoga world that it's easy to forget that its significance goes beyond proclaiming your love for all things yoga. The origin of the symbol is not known, but its three curves are thought to represent three states of consciousness:

• Waking state
• Dream state
• Deep sleep

The dot in the om symbol signifies the fourth state of consciousness when you are somewhere between the other three states.

Others suggest the om symbol's three curves may have other representations, such as the three worlds (Earth, atmosphere, and heaven), the three major Hindu gods (Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva), or the three sacred Vedic scriptures (Rg, Yajur, and Sama).

Using Om With Cultural Respect

Given its roots in other faiths, you might wonder whether using om in meditation or yoga is culturally appropriate. There are ways to make sure you use om respectfully.

Learn About Om

Research the meaning of om in the context of different faiths. It's OK if you do not follow those religious teachings, but awareness about the origin of om is essential to using it appropriately.

Find a Knowledgable Teacher

It is helpful if your yoga practice is led by a teacher knowledgeable about the origins and meanings of om, as they can guide you to use it respectfully. When taking a yoga class that uses om as a meditative tool, ask the teacher to help explain how to use it appropriately.

Keep an Open Mind

As you learn about om's religious and cultural significance, you do not have to subscribe to the religious dogma of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism to make it part of your meditative practice. It is vital to understand the meaning of om to use it respectfully in your practice.