How to Use Mantras in Yoga for the Best Results?
Curious about how to use mantras in yoga? As a yoga teacher and daily mantra practitioner, I love sharing the powerful benefits of mantras with my students (or anyone really!).
In my last article, I talked about what mantras are, and this time I’m excited to share some of my best tips on how to actually practice them. I’m here to clear up any confusion and make it super easy for you to use mantra yoga for the best results. Ready to dive in?
Mantras in yoga: Why do we need them?
Mantras are connectors. They help us tap into the Divine energy within ourselves. Even though this energy is already ours, we often feel blocked, unable to access it. Mantras can open the channel to our true selves, to our Atma (soul), and our divine being.
Each of us has different needs, and the Divine is vast enough to fulfill them all. Ultimately, we are all connected, but the different forms of the Divine allow us to choose the aspect that resonates with us the most and the relationship that feels right for us.
Many mantras ask for things we desire in this world—love, money, health, success, good fortune. As physical beings living in a material world, there’s nothing wrong with seeking fulfillment in these things. Why not enjoy a rich and abundant life while we're here?
One day, when we feel satisfied with all we’ve experienced, we’ll naturally move on. But until then, it’s okay to ask for what we want, and there’s no need to feel guilty about living a prosperous, fulfilled, and happy life.
Eventually, when the time comes to move on to something greater, we’ll be ready, but for now, it's okay to embrace all that life has to offer.
Getting started with mantras: What do you absolutely have to do to get results?
These are the three things you need to do:
1. Find an undisturbed and comfortable place to sit
Make sure your phone is in a silent mood and people won't tap you on the shoulder. You don't need to sit in padmasana; sit in any comfortable position, you can use cochons or armchair if needed, keep the spine erect.
Don't lie down, you are likely to fall asleep lying down and that will achieve nothing.
Most importantly, you must make sure there are no disturbances. If you cannot arrange for this, mantras are of no use for you.
2. Focus
Don’t worry if you don't have this yet. The visualisation with the mantras should help.
3. Use a mala to count the repetitions.
This is not always essential, but if you are counting in malas ( chanting is counted as one mala, two malas, etc), then you need one. A white crystal mala can be used for all mantras.
The best time to practice a mantra
The best time to do a mantra chanting is any time you are quiet and undisturbed. Do it whenever you are at peace. Also, it is highly recommended to be on an empty stomach, or 1,5 hours after the last meal, tea or coffee.
How to say your mantra
1.When you say a mantra, your thoughts shouldn’t wander
Of course that is easier said than done. Our minds are all over the place, thinking of dinner and in-laws, and the argument with the boss, while the hand mechanically moves the mala and the recitation goes on. The methods given here should keep your mind happily concentrating while you finish your repetitions.
2. Pronunciation & the beat
Pronunciation is a key part of intonation and plays a big role when it comes to reciting mantras, alongside the melody. But it’s not just about pronunciation and melody. The beat cycle, whether you’re chanting aloud or silently, also matters.
The beat cycle is the rhythm that’s naturally part of the melody, but it can shift depending on your state of consciousness while chanting. So, it’s important to make sure your pronunciation is on point.
To get the most out of your practice, make sure you’re feeling comfortable and focused.
3. Be intentional with your energy
Mantra chanting strengthens willpower, sharpens concentration, and cultivates positive emotions. Together, these three qualities build faith in the mantra, which is considered a form of deity. This faith is what unlocks the transformative, magical effects of the mantra.
How long do you need to say a mantra?
When you pick a mantra for a specific purpose, it takes time to get the desired effect. The period is 40 days. During that period, you need to chant at least one mala a day, more if possible but not less. When the 40 days are over, the mantra is considered siddh, activated, and after that just a few repetitions will bring back the power.
Before you begin your 40 days, decide a realistic number of malas that you can do daily. You should not do less than whatever amount you decided on, but you can do more any time.
One mala is usually enough per day but needs to be said sitting in one place with complete concentration. In addition, you can say the mantra whenever you wish, in idle moments such as while sitting in a cab, waiting at the doctor’s office, washing the dishes or at any other time.
When you finish your 40 days, make an offering on the 41-st day to finish the cycle. It does not have to be elaborate. A flower, a coconut or a garland offered with love is more than enough. Make this offering in a temple, if you can, or even to your own house deity. That completes the 40 days and empowers the mantra. Mantras can be done any time in the year.
How to practice mantra yoga
Begin with OM
OM is known as the "prana," the first, the source. Everything begins with OM. It is the original bija mantra, the seed from which all other mantras arise. The entire universe emanates from the primal OM, and when it resounds, the universe reaches its end, dissolves, and is re-absorbed into the formless.
Most mantras begin with OM, and it’s a great way to start your mantra practice. Chanting OM helps center you, relaxes your mind, and brings your focus inward. After chanting OM, you’re ready to begin with the other mantras.
Sit comfortably with your spine erect, and begin by chanting OM three times, or more if you prefer—ten, 21, 54, 72, 108, or even 1080. There’s no such thing as overdoing the OM—three is the minimum, but more is always welcome when you can.
How to Say OM?
There are many ways to say OM, and entire books have been written on the methods of chanting it. If you have a particular way you like to say it, feel free to follow that. If not, I recommend watching a video from my Guru, Sadhguru, where he provides a complete explanation of how to properly chant OM.
The power generated by continuously chanting OM is incredible. You get completely immersed in the sound, and even after the physical chant stops, the reverberations continue for quite a while. It can take you a few minutes just to open your eyes afterward. It’s like a powerful sound bath, and you emerge feeling renewed.
OM also works as an energy cleanser—it smooths and cleanses your aura, leaving you refreshed and balanced.
The next steps:
Follow with visualization
Once you’ve finished chanting OM, you should feel relaxed and in a thoughtless state. You’re now ready for the next step. Visualization. Each mantra has its own associated visuals—just follow them and begin to visualize a peaceful, beautiful place for yourself.
Take your time creating this mental space, enjoying every moment as you build the details. There’s no rush. Stay in your beautiful place for as long as you like, soaking in the calm and tranquility.
Cool-down after mantras
You may need a cool-down, especially after chanting strong mantras. When the energy is too intense, you might feel a heavy head or even a bit unwell. If this happens, stop chanting the mantra and take a moment to rest.
If you feel truly unwell during the practice, stop immediately. You should always feel comfortable throughout the practice. If you notice any discomfort, do a cool-down to bring yourself back to balance. A common cool-down mantra is "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti hi."
As you chant "Om Shanti," use visualization to enhance the cooling effect. Imagine a gentle rain of large, cooling white drops, the color of moonlight, falling all around you. This will help calm your energy quickly.
There’s no limit to how many times you can repeat "Om Shanti." If you have trouble sleeping, try chanting "Om Shanti" before bed, and you’ll sleep deeply and peacefully.
The steps in brief
Relaxation. Be comfortable and undisturbed.
Tree or more OM to cleanse and centre you.
Create an enchanting mental place.
Recite the mantra while making offerings to keep the mind from disturbances.
Come out slowly with a cool-down if needed.
Methods of recitation
Traditionally, there are different ways to recite a mantra:
Vaachik: This is loud japa, where the mantras are spoken aloud. It’s the least powerful of the three methods, but it’s essential in the beginning, especially to ensure you’re pronouncing the Sanskrit correctly. Once you’re confident with your pronunciation, you can transition to softer recitation.
Upanshu Jap: This involves murmuring the mantra so softly that only your lips move slightly, and even someone sitting next to you wouldn’t be able to hear it. This method is more subtle and begins to deepen the practice.
Manasic: The most potent method, this involves chanting the mantra mentally, with no movement of the throat, lips, or tongue. This silent recitation is the most powerful form of chanting, and ultimately, all mantras are meant to be said silently in this way.
What you should never do
Some books or resources may offer mantras for harmful purposes—such as controlling others, harassing enemies, or manipulating and dominating people. These mantras are intended to attract, control, or even harm others.
If you choose to use these mantras, the only person who will ultimately suffer is you. Whatever you do, whether good or bad, returns to you—especially with mantras. Harmful mantras will come back to you and create chaos in your life.
Using mantras to control others, take revenge, force people to your point of view, or express your anger is considered black magic. It always rebounds, and even if you experience temporary results, you’ll end up in a worse situation than when you started.
Mantras should be used to connect you with your higher energies, in the form of God and Goddesses, and to draw abundance into your life. They should never be used to manipulate or harm others.
How to activate your mantra
Traditionally, the guru would activate your mantra by giving you one they had already energized. A mantra becomes "sidh" (or powerful) through repeated recitation. However, truly activating a mantra typically requires thousands of repetitions. You could chant your mantra a million times to activate it, but there’s a faster way.
Visualizations are an effective shortcut to unlocking its energies.
When the old texts mention repeating a mantra 100,000 times, they account for the fact that about 90,000 of those repetitions are often done while your mind is elsewhere.
By using visualizations, your mind stays focused, helping you activate the mantra’s power in much less time and with less effort.
Final thoughts on mantra yoga
Now that your space and mala are ready, you’re all set for your mantra chanting practice. Enjoy this sacred time and remember, consistency is key. May this article guide you as you advance in your sadhana, helping you discover the profound power and peace that mantras can bring.
Read these next:
Mantras in Yoga: What Are They & How Do They Work?
Kundalini Tantra Yoga: Why It’s Not What You Think
