Aum

'Aum' is a sound we've all heard, whether in a yoga class, a meditation course, or just joking around about yoga. But what is 'aum'?  Why this sound?

Aum is the cosmic vibration uniting matter and spirit. 

Yeah, ok Stephanie, what the heck does that mean?   'Pranava, the sound of the creative Aum vibration, is the mother of all sounds.' I do not want this in any way to become a religious discussion, but being raised with biblical stories I am going to use a bible verse to illustrate, in a hopefully relatable way, what is meant by creative sound. Something I believe everyone has heard, from Genesis, "God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light." This is the Aum, the creative vibration present in all things.

In meditation, the meditator hears specific vibratory sounds emanating from each of the spinal chakra centers (which we will discuss later). Aum is the basis for all sound.

In the microcosmic universe of the body of man, the Aum vibration works through the vital activities in the astral spinal centers of life with their creative vibratory elements of earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Through these, man's body is created, enlivened, and sustained. These vibrations emit characteristic variations of Pranava as they operate. The devotee whose consciousness becomes attuned to these inner astral sounds finds himself gradually ascending to higher states of realization. (Paramahansa Yogananda)

Celebrate the creative sound of Aum this weekend!  In the space you practice yoga, meditation, relaxation, whatever it is, sing the sounds of Aum. As loud as you can (this is a celebration!) repeat the "AH" sound 9 times. Then the "OH" sound 9 times. And the "MM" sound 9 times.  Done in any space this practice will lighten the energy of the room. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

AUM! and Namaste