Some thoughts on yoga teacher training: Weekend Three, Day Two — History and Philosophy
Jill began our session today with a call and response of the Om Sahana Vavatu mantra, a Vedic chant traditionally recited in schools at the beginning of class. As I learn more about the history and specific translations of these chants I am slowly becoming more comfortable with them, though my pipes are really best used for karaoke than for ancient melodic verses.
Om Sahana Vavatu (audio on YouTube)
ॐ सहना ववतु। सहनौ भुनक्तु // Om sahana vavatu sahano bhunaktu
सह वीर्यं करवावहै // Saha viryam karavavahai
तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु // Tejasvi navaditamastu
मा विद्विषावहै॥ // Ma vidvishavahai
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥ // Om shantih shantih shantih
Om
May we all be protected together
May we all be nourished
May we work together with great energy
May our intellect be sharpened
Let there be no animosity amongst us
Om, Peace (in me), Peace (in nature), Peace (in the infinite)
As I listened to Jill share the translation I got all the feels! The timing of this verse was perfect as we are no longer 16 strangers in a room with a fake skeleton — we are students, friends, and inspirations to each other and we’re creating an incredible shared experience. We are committed to studying this practice because we love it and I felt that love very intensely this morning. I’m grateful and honored to be spending 200 hours (and more later in life) with these teachers, students, and community members.