Ah Ooooh Mmmm

Guest feature by Anastasia

OM is the most basic, primal sound and the origin of all sounds. It is very liberating to start a yoga asana practice with chanting OM - it takes you beyond intellect, centers you and lifts the energy upwards.

Om is the affirmation of the Divine Presence in the universe. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants Om, and on his or her surroundings. Most mantras start with Om.

Om is comprised of three sounds:

1. Ah
2. Ooooh
3. Mmmm

The sound starts from the base of the throat as "Ah". With the coming together of the lips, "Ooooh" is formed and when the lips are closed, the sound ends in "Mmmmm". Try to extend the mmm part of the OM, despite the natural tendency to shorten it.

Try mentally repeating OM when angry, stressed or agitated. The sound can bring you closer to that calm place within just by repeating it.

Om is the universal name of the Divine.