Many of us have a stereotypical view of meditation of sitting in the Lotus position, chanting Om. While I hope by now you realise there’s a multitude of ways in which you can practice meditation, there’s a reason why this is a persistent image in people’s minds – chanting is powerful and effective. When you chant an ancient mantra such as Om, you build a connection with the divine, your Higher Self, or whatever it is you believe is ‘out there.’ If you’ve ever been around or part of a group of people chanting together, you’ll know all too well how incredible the energy feels. There’s no denying that something transformative happens when you’re working with the collective consciousness.

Before now, I’ve been talking you through working silently with mantras, repeating them in your mind. Chanting is different because you’re actually vocalising the mantra. You may feel self-conscious when you start, but as you explore this technique, those inhibitions will fall away and you’ll find yourself enjoying it more and more. There’s nothing like starting the day with a few rousing Oms!

Before you start chanting, find somewhere appropriate where you won’t be disturbed and won’t disturb others – when you know you’re not going to distract anyone, it goes a long way towards reducing those feelings of self-consciousness. Sit comfortably, supporting your back with cushions if you need. 

Traditionally, you should turn your left palm and hold it close to your belly. Rest the back of your right hand on your left and keep your hands in this position throughout the chant. Close your eyes and tune in to your body and breath, observing your current state without judgement. 

You might like to start chanting with vowel sounds such as Aaaaah or Ooooooh. Using sounds with absolutely no meaning is a good way to practice the technique and get comfortable with the process of chanting. 

Inhale deeply and as you exhale, chant your chosen sound, whether it be Aaaaah, Oooooh, Om, or something different. As you chant, feel the breath channeling through your body. Notice any blockages or catches in your breath. You might like to adjust how you are making the sound – I like to visualise sending the sound to the edges of the universe, my body nothing but a channel for the sound. 

Do not let the sound fizzle out with the end of breath. It might take a little practice to be aware of when this is going to come, but you want to maintain a strong, steady sound. It is better to end the sound early than push yourself and run out of breath – it’s not an endurance test! If you are chanting Om, aim to spend most of each chant making the vowel sound, with a short Mmmm at the end. 

Start with just three rounds of Om (or your chosen sound) and slowly work your way up to nine rounds. 

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start exploring the possibilities of chanting. Play with the volume – how loud can you intone the sound? Can you whisper it? Send the sound all over your body – send it to your heart and feel it fill with love or direct it to your root chakra and feel yourself ground. 

This is a good practice to journal about – compare your mood before and after chanting. If you are finding it hard to maintain a long, clear sound, write about that – is there an area in your life where you feel like you can’t express yourself fully? 

I think you’ll find chanting to be a truly joyous, glorious experience, once you allow yourself to commit completely to the process. Feel free to email me or comment below with your experiences!