The sound "Om" is pronounced more like "home" = hOMe (but without the 'H')
All yoga classes begin and end with either one or three "Oms". Sitting legs crossed, palms together at the chest, heads down as if in prayer the Yogi will say a word or two and ask us to join, if we would like, in a collective "Om". The "Oms" do sound great, resonating within the practice studio, but what does it mean? And why "Om"?
Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is said to be the sound of the universe.
Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling us - that the entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid or still. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with the sound of Om. We may not always be aware of this sound in our daily lives, but we can hear it in the rustling of the autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, the inside of a seashell.
Chanting Om allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how the whole universe moves- the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on the universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy, and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.
And now that you know the meaning behind "Om", now that I know the meaning behind the Oms, next time when I join to chant the Oms at the beginning and end of class I will do it with this new knowledge in mind, and I'm sure the Oms will be even sweeter to my energy and my spirit.
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