Om Meaning: Om Chants and the Om Symbol in Yoga Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Yoga Lifestyle Om in Yoga and Meditation What 'om' means and how and why it is used By Ann Pizer Ann Pizer Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 04, 2022 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Sara Clark Reviewed by Sara Clark Sara Clark is an EYT 500-hour certified Vinyasa yoga and mindfulness teacher, lululemon Global Yoga Ambassador, model, and writer. Learn about our Review Board Print 10'000 Hours / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Power of Om Om in Yoga Science of Om Om Symbol Using Om With Cultural Respect Frequently Asked Questions Om is a very simple sound with a complex meaning. It is the whole universe coalesced into a single word, representing the union of mind, body, and spirit that is at the heart of yoga. What Is Om? Om is a Sanskrit word and ancient mantra often used in the practices of Hinduism and Buddhism, among other faiths. It is sometimes chanted three times at the start and at the finish of a yoga session. It may also be spelled "aum." The Power of Om In the Hindu tradition, the sound of om is said to contain the entire universe. It is the first sound from the beginning of time and it also encompasses the present and the future. As such, its importance and power are difficult to overstate. In the chakra system, it is connected to Ajna chakra, the third eye, which represents intuition and self-knowledge. Om is also a seed syllable used as a building block for many other mantras during meditation. For example, om namah shivaya means "I honor the divinity within myself." Om shanti means "peace be with you" and is an alternative to saying goodbye. While yoga is not a religion, om and om-containing mantras are commonly used in spiritual practices where they are afforded great respect. Being mindful of its religious and historical significance makes it easier to use the same respect when incorporating om into your daily life or yoga practice. Understanding Namaste Om in Yoga In a yoga setting, the chanting of om at the beginning of class ushers practitioners into the time and space that is about to be spent on the mat or in meditation. Likewise, an om at the end of class signifies that your physical practice has ended and it is time to reenter society. Chanting with a group of people also serves to unify the group and create a sense of community. As you feel the vibration of the chant and lose the sound of your own voice among those of your classmates, it's possible to feel at one with other people and even with the universe. How to Pronounce 'Om' Sometimes om is taught with a long o sound followed by a vibrating m. Others prefer to separate the a and u sounds, so it's more of an ah-oo-mm. The Science of Om Scientists have researched the effects on the brain of the vibrations created by chanting. A small 2011 study, as well as a 2018 follow-up, evaluated the effects of using om as a mantra by taking functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brains of participants as they chanted om and also the sound "sss" as a control. Promotes Relaxation The 2018 study, which was published in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, noted that om chanting is associated with an experience of relaxation, specifically citing beneficial changes in the autonomic nervous system (which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, and other internal functions) and deactivation of limbic brain regions (an area that controls emotion, memories, and arousal). Another 2018 study found that chanting om loudly for 30 minutes significantly increased theta brain waves, signaling deep relaxation. A 2019 study showed that it also changes delta waves, which are the same waves experienced when in a deep, dreamless sleep. May Have Mental Health Benefits Researchers also observed brain activity during the om periods similar to that created by vagus nerve stimulation, which is used to treat depression and epilepsy. Scientists concluded that chanting om may have potential in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Although these results are considered preliminary, they offer scientific support for the positive effects many people experience from chanting om. The Om Symbol The om symbol has become the unofficial logo of yoga. You see it on mats and T-shirts, painted on studio walls, and tattooed onto the bodies of some yogis. It's such a ubiquitous image in the yoga world that it's easy to forget that its significance goes beyond proclaiming your love for all things yoga. The origin of the symbol is not known, but its three curves are thought to represent three states of consciousness: Waking stateDream stateDeep sleep The dot in the om symbol signifies the fourth state of consciousness, which is when you are somewhere between the other three states. Others suggest that the om symbol's three curves may have other representations, such as the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, heaven), the three major Hindu gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Siva), or the three sacred Vedic scriptures (Rg, Yajur, Sama). Using Om With Cultural Respect Given its roots in other faiths, you might be wondering whether using om in meditation or yoga is culturally appropriative. There are a few ways you can make sure you are using om with respect. Learn About Om First, do some research about what om means in the context of different faith backgrounds. It's ok if you do not follow those religious teachings, but awareness about the origin of om is essential to using it appropriately. Find a Knowledgable Teacher It is very helpful if your yoga practice is led by a teacher who is knowledgable about the origins of om and its meanings in different contexts. They will be able to guide you to use om with respect. When you are taking a yoga class that uses om as a meditative tool, ask the teacher to help explain how to use it appropriately. Keep an Open Mind As you learn abut the religious and cultural significance of om, remember that you do not have to subscribe to the religious dogma of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism in order to make om part of your meditative practice. But it is vital that you understand where the meaning of om stems from in order to use it respectfully in your practice. Frequently Asked Questions What is om in Hinduism? Om is considered the "original vibration of the universe" in Hinduism, or the vibration from which all other vibrations are born. In Hindu scripture, it is defined as the foundational sound of creation. What is om in Buddhism? In Buddhism, om is considered "the syllable which preceded the universe and from which the gods were created." Om is often the first word or sound in some of Buddhism's most important mantras. Why do we chant om 3 times? Om is generally chanted three times at both the beginning and end of a yoga class, but the explanation for this differs. Some say that this represents peace in three dimensions (physical, mental, and spiritual) while others say that it is to focus on three Granthis, which are knots in the body thought to hinder one's path to greater awareness. The Eight Limbs of Yoga 10 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Maharara S, Sabar N. The concept of 'OM': (with special reference to chandogya upanisad). Int J Sanskrit Res. 2020;6(3):04-09. Rajalakshmi MC. Efficacy of Ajna chakra meditation in primary insomnia. Masters thesis, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College. 2019. Kalyani BG, Venkatasubramanian G, Arasappa R, et al. Neurohemodynamic correlates of 'OM' chanting: A pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Int J Yoga. 2011;4(1):3-6. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.78171 Rao NP, Deshpande G, Gangadhar KB, et al. Directional brain networks underlying OM changing. Asian J Psychiat. 2018;37:20-5. doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2018.08.001 Harne BP, Hiwale AS. EEG spectral analysis of OM mantra meditation: a pilot study. Appl Psychphysiol Biofeedback. 2018;43:123-9. doi:10.1007/s10484-018-9391-7 Harne BP, Bobade Y, Dhekekar RS, Hiwale A. SVM classification of EEG signal to analyze the effect of OM mantra meditation on the brain. 2019 IEEE 16th India Council International Conference (INDICON). 2019:1-4. doi:10.1109.INDICON47234.2019.9030339 Mooventhan A, Khode V. Effect of Bhramari pranayama and OM chanting on pulmonary function in healthy individuals: a prospective randomized control trial. Int J Yoga. 2014;7(2):104-10. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.133875 Misra S, Shastri I. Rumination of music on Buddhism and Hinduism. Sport and Art. 2014;2(3):33-40. doi:10.13189/saj.2014.020301 Allard S. 5 things to know about om. Hindu American Foundation. Khanna R. Importance of chanting om. eBangla. Additional Reading Maharara S, Sabar N. The concept of 'OM': (with special reference to chandogya upanisad). Int J Sanskrit Res. 2020;6(3):04-09. By Ann Pizer Ann Pizer is a writer and registered yoga instructor who teaches vinyasa/flow and prenatal yoga classes. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles The 6 Best Yoga Teacher Training Programs of 2022 Where Is Your Third Eye Located on the Body? What Are Morning Rituals and Why You Should Consider Using Them Best Online Yoga Classes of 2022 What to Expect From a Hatha Yoga Class The Spiritual and Mental Health Benefits of Walking a Labyrinth Inside the Mysteries of the Kundalini Yoga Practice 15 Best Health Documentaries to Inspire an Active Lifestyle The Beginner's Guide to Getting Started With Yoga The 8 Best Yoga Retreats of 2022 Try Gentle Yoga Styles for Stretching and Stillness The Best Yoga Subscription Boxes of 2021 The Koshas of the Body Should Be Integrated for Optimal Health What Are the Most Popular Types of Yoga? Should You Try a Naked Yoga Class? How Power Yoga Can Give You a Real Workout When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept All