If you’ve been to a yoga class, you’ve likely heard the teacher invite everyone to chant Om. You might have even felt the hum vibrate through your chest and wondered, Why does this feel so powerful? Far more than a trendy soundbite or a decorative symbol on a yoga mat, Om holds a profound spiritual, philosophical, and energetic meaning. It’s one of the most sacred mantras in yoga and is rooted in thousands of years of history.
Whether you’re a curious yoga student or deep into your spiritual studies, understanding the meaning of Om can unlock a deeper connection and purpose in your practice. Let’s explore the deeper meanings of Om, its origins, and why it continues to be one of the most important sounds in yoga.
The universal meaning of Om
At its simplest, Om is a sound—three letters and one syllable. But its meaning is vast. In yogic philosophy, Om is considered the primordial sound of the universe. It’s the vibration that everything—seen and unseen—is made from.
The Sanskrit word Om is often transliterated as Aum. Each of the three letters has significance:
- A represents the waking state
- U represents the dream state
- M represents deep, dreamless sleep
Together, they symbolize the totality of consciousness—everything we are and everything the universe is. The silence that follows the chant represents the infinite. This makes Om not just a sound but a symbol of ultimate reality, also known as Brahman in Hindu philosophy. It’s a cosmic hum that contains all other vibrations, all sounds, and all states of being.
Om in ancient Hindu texts
The use of Om in Hinduism goes back thousands of years. The first appearance of Om is in the Upanishads, a collection of philosophical Hindu scriptures that form the foundation of Vedanta, a major spiritual school of thought in India. In the Mandukya Upanishad, a single sacred text is devoted entirely to Om. It is “what has become, what is becoming, what will become.” It also declares Om as the path to self-realization and the highest state of consciousness. Hindu scholars regard Om as not only religious but also metaphysical. It’s a sacred formula, a means to access the divine, and a tool for meditation.
Why Om matters in our yoga practice
So why do we chant Om in yoga? In yoga, the meaning of Om is not just philosophical. It’s practical. Chanting Om at the beginning and end of a yoga class helps practitioners shift from the external world into their inner experience.
The use of Om in yoga relates to pratyahara, the yogic practice of withdrawing the senses. By focusing on the sound and vibration of Om, the mind begins to quiet. The breath slows. You become more present. Yoga teachers often guide students to chant Om as a way to connect to each other, the space, and the larger community of practitioners around the world. It creates a shared vibration.
Chanting Om also has a profound impact on the vishuddha chakra, the throat chakra, which plays a pivotal role in governing communication and the expression of truth. Additionally, the practice of chanting Om purifies the aura, allowing for the release of negative energies and fostering a sense of balance within the body’s subtle energy systems.
Chanting Om in Sanskrit
In Sanskrit, Om is pronounced as AUM—a triadic sound that unfolds with intention. Sanskrit scholars explain that Aum has a profound symbolism, with each sound representing different states of consciousness.:
- A (ahh) – The sound starts at the back of the throat. It’s associated with creation and the beginning of consciousness.
- U (oooh) – The sound rolls forward along the palate. It’s linked to the dream state and the subtle realm.
- M (mmm) – The sound closes at the lips. It reflects dissolution and the quiet stillness of deep meditation.
The final silence, after the sound dissolves, is just as important. It represents the infinite and the unknowable, the turiya state, which exists beyond waking, dreaming, or deep sleep. Understanding the Om this way invites you to experience chanting as a full-body, full-mind meditation.
The meaning of the Om symbol
In Sanskrit script (Devanagari), the Om symbol is written as ॐ. You’ve likely seen this symbol everywhere—from yoga studios to tattoos to jewelry. But what you might not know is that each curve and dot of Om holds deep philosophical meaning tied to the human experience and states of consciousness.
According to the Mandukya Upanishad, the symbol illustrates the four states of consciousness: waking (jagrat), dreaming (swapna), deep sleep (sushupti), and the fourth state known as turiya, or pure bliss.
- The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state (jagrat), where consciousness is turned outward through the senses.
- The middle curve represents the dream state (swapna), reflecting the inward-turned consciousness during dreams.
- The upper curve signifies the deep sleep state (sushupti), a state of unconsciousness without dreams or desires.
- The dot at the top denotes the fourth state (turiya), representing pure consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.
- The crescent shape (semicircle) beneath the dot represents maya, the illusion that separates the individual from the ultimate reality.
As the Hindu American Foundation explains, this symbolic design is meant to guide practitioners from the distractions of the outer world toward inner stillness and ultimate unity
Chanting om connects us to the sacred
Across traditions, cultures, and continents, Om continues to hold a place of honor. It reminds us that beneath the surface of the physical world, there is a deeper vibration connecting everything. The meaning of this sacred sound is not something to be owned, branded, or commodified. It’s to be honored, explored, and integrated into our lives with humility. For those who feel called to explore yogic wisdom at its source, studying with teachers in India or learning from Indian master teachers is invaluable. It’s a way to honor the roots of the practice while deepening your own understanding.
Ready to learn more?
At East+West Yoga, students study directly with lineage-based master teachers from India while also learning modern tools for teaching and sharing yoga. Their 200-hour yoga teacher trainings in Bali and Costa Rica are immersive, spiritually rich, and internationally accredited. You’ll not only learn asana, anatomy, and philosophy—you’ll experience sacred teachings like Om in their full context, guided by those who carry the lineage. If you’re ready to explore yoga’s deeper layers and connect with ancient teachings in a truly authentic way, check out the upcoming trainings at East+West. It could be the step that changes your path forever.
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