The Ashtanga Yoga Practice starts with a beautiful mantra which I wrote about <here>, and it ends with a just as equal beautiful mantra. The mantras are traditional, and they should be chanted with intention. Usually when you walk into a traditional Ashtanga Yoga Shala, the teacher calls “Samastitihi”, which means equal standing posture. You might also know it as Mountain Pose. Everyone stops where they are and steps to the front of their mat in Samastitihi. Then, the teacher will chant the mantra with the students in a call and response format.
This type of teaching style is called Mysore Style, and it’s a self practice with a teacher present to help. The reason the mantra is called during practice is because there isn’t a set start time. However, after a half hour of opening the shala, usually everyone has shown up, and the mantra can be called.
This is Traditional Samastithi: The joints are aligned one over the other
When we chant, we bring the hands in prayer position:
There isn’t a call and response with the closing mantra in a Mysore style practice, so you’re going to have to learn it on your own. It’s shorter and easier to learn than the opening mantra, so let me help you.
Below is the Sanskrit with the English translation, and a video of a call and response chant of the closing mantra in a led Ashtanga class. In the led classes, both mantras are called since we all start and end together.
Here’s the sanskrit for the closing mantra:
Om
Svasthi Praja Bhyaha Pari Pala Yantam
Nya Yena Margena Mahim Mahishaha
Go Brahmanebhyaha Shubamastu Nityam
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti-hi
Translation
May prosperity be glorified
May rulers rule the world with law and justice
May divinity and erudition be protected
May all beings be happy and free
Om, Peace Peace Peace
This Video was filmed during a Yoga Stops Traffick event at The Yoga Shala in Winter Park, FL
Chant along with me & learn the mantra…!!!
Was this helpful? Do you have a favorite mantra? Do you have a mantra you made up to help you quiet your mind? I’d love to hear about it! Tell me in the comments below!
