A 5 week “movement, breath & sound” series will start on Saturday, January 11th, 2025. Practical information can be found on our schedule page (on that page, scroll down almost all the way to the bottom.)
Why blend movement, breath and sound?
In yoga, movement and breath are combined to promote physical and emotional well-being. In the Krishnamacharya and Desikachar’s lineage, this coordination of breath and movement is a fundamental aspect of asana practice but we have also been trained to add sound as a third component of practice. It makes good sense since sound is the first expression of breath: think of the first cry of an infant at birth, and then as the sound of breath being like a spontaneous and unuttered mantra which energizes and purifies our system throughout our lifetime.
When introducing sound , the first step is usually one of uttering simple vowel sounds. Then words and simple phrases are presented in a traditional “listen & repeat” fashion. Overtime, and with consistent practice, the body becomes a finely tuned instrument. Vedic Chanting is an active practice where the vibrations are created by our own voice. These vibrations coming from the inside of your body help melt physical and mental tensions and clear some energetic pathways. It also teaches us to focus our mind. So chanting can have long-lasting therapeutic and transformational effects.
That being said, we are fully aware that many people feel self-conscious about letting their voice be heard, but the particular form of chanting taught here is a relatively “user-friendly” one. It basically uses three simple notes and it is done collectively with our voice always supported by the voices of others. No one is ever asked to chant alone. So it is a wonderful opportunity to work on our throat cakra.
What type of chanting will be taught?
We teach traditional Vedic Chanting. The reason it is called “Vedic” is because we chant passages from “the Veda”, a corpus of invocations from India. The Veda carries universal wisdom which can support anyone in their search for timeless truths, regardless of gender, age or beliefs. The mantras are explained in such a way that everyone can find comfortable and relevant meaning.
The Sanskrit term which is often associated with the practice of Vedic Chanting is “adhyayanam”. “Adhyayanam” means "coming closer to yourself.” In the Indian tradition, sound, especially as embodied in the Veda-s, is said to stimulate and open the “hrdayam” or heart chakra, thus making it “a pilgrimage to the heart”.
Vedic chanting is also a practice that uses language to experience “That” which is beyond language, thus making it a form of meditation that is relatively accessible. Chanting allows us to be in the now and loosen up our ego. It has the potential for deepening our connection with “the Divine” however we understand and relate to “That.” Practitioners often report experiencing a state of deep peace and oneness after chanting.
Who will teach these classes ?
Mantra chanting affects our system at a subtle vibrational level. It is therefore important to learn the mantras according to the rules of pronunciation, grammar, meter, and continuity, so that the hymns are chanted as they were by the ancients.
Martine Burat was introduced to Vedic Chanting 35 years ago by her yoga mentor, Mary Louise Skelton, a direct student of Desikachar, and the original founder of Upstate Yoga Institute. Martine had no musical background whatsoever. After Mary-Louise Skelton’s passing, Martine continued the study of Vedic Chanting for years with Sonia Nelson, another direct student of Desikachar and director of the Santa Fe Vedic Chant Center,. Martine is currently continuing her education in Vedic Chanting under the guidance of Sheela Shankar, here in the US and during a trip to India last year.
Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to write to Martine at info@upstateyogainstitute.com. She will be happy to speak with you about this and possibly help you dissipate some hesitation.
