Invocations
In Iyengar Yoga, classes begin with the mantra "Om." It's a sound that evokes timelessness, as it represents the primordial sound of the universe. We repeat it three times to mark the beginning of the practice.
Invocation to Patanjali.
After repeating "Ommmmm..." three times, we then invoke Patanjali, as a way of thanking him for his dedication to compiling the Yoga Sutras (500-400 BC), one of the foundational texts of Iyengar Yoga.
Yogena cittasya padena vacam
Malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena
Yopakarottam pravaram muninam
Patanjalim pranjaliranato'smi
Abahu purusakaram
Sankha cakrasi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Har-ri hey Om…
Invocation to Guru.
In Level 2 classes, the beginning of the class is still celebrated with the mantra "Guru," a way of thanking and honoring our Guru.
Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheshwarah
Guru Saakshaata Parabrahma
Tasmai Shri Guruve Namah
Brahmanadam paramasukhadam
Kevalam jňāna-mūrtim
Dvandvātitam gaganasadrsam
Tat-tvam-asy-ādilaksam
Ekam nityam vimalam
Acalam sarvadhisāksi-bhūtam
Bhāvātītam trigunarahitam
Satgurum tam namām
Invocation to Shanti.
In advanced level classes, we also invoke peace with the mantra "Shanti".
Aum sa ha nāvavatu
Sa ha nau bhunaktu
Sa ha vīryam karavāvahai
Tejasvināvadhītamastu
Mā viddvisāvhai
Aum śāntih… śāntih… śāntih….