Frequently Asked Questions

Vedic is a term that is used to describe a world of traditions that stem from the ancient texts of India, the Vedas. Within these traditions there are various types of things we might chant, some directly from the Vedas, and some written much later. Sutras, shlokas, bhajans, bīja mantras and Veda recitation may all be categorized as chanting, but are very different in origin, cultural context and intention.

I incorporate different forms of chanting in my classes, because as most people who begin a yoga journey here in the West, I was exposed to different lineages along the way and have picked up things that resonate with me from a few different teachers. One important thing that I have learned, now that I’m studying within a living Veda lineage, is how important it is to understand the difference between these practices, and why Veda mantras are different.

The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts from which Indic knowledge systems including Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish stem from. They are considered śruti, that which is heard, indicating their status as revealed texts that ancient seers brought back from states of deep meditation.

These ancient seers or Ṛṣis and Ṛṣikas, had direct experience of the nature of reality which they expressed through esoteric poetry that was passed on through oral tradition in the form of the mantras that were later organized and written down in Sanskrit as the four Vedas.

These mantras contain deep wisdom on many things, including how to live in harmony and alignment with nature, each other and ourselves. Veda recitation aligns your vibration with this wisdom and over time it begins to unfold inside of you, inviting new insight and understanding.

When we chant mantras from Veda, it’s important to follow certain rules for chanting, because when we keep the integrity of the mantra we keep the integrity of the wisdom intact. The wisdom is encoded in the sound.

Learning mantras within a lineage is a way to tap into a vibration that has been preserved by a rigorous oral tradition, precisely transmitting the knowledge from teacher to student for thousands of years.

Chanting has many benefits that touch the mind, body and spirit. Here are just a few:

Concentration– Chanting mantra is a technology for the continued development of concentration and focus which prepares you for deeper states of meditation.  

Clarity – Chanting disrupts the mind’s normal patterns allowing new neural pathways to form allowing greater clarity. 

Reduced stress and anxiety – Chanting stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and activating the production of endorphins. 

Drawing awareness internally – As you focus on a mantra there is an easeful inward focus that arises without forcing. 

Listening acuity – the process of listening and repeating back develops greater listening skills. 

Memory improvement – a 2018 study titled the “The Sanskrit Effect” included MRI scans showed that memorizing ancient mantras increased the size of brain regions associated with cognitive function. 

Expanded lung capacity – Chanting is a practice of exhalation, that eventually expands the breath and repatterns healthy ways of breathing.  

Self-development – Chanting opens you up to greater connection to your intuition and prepares your intellect for greater understanding. 

In addition, I find that chanting is one of the most enjoyable ways to meditate both alone and while in community.

 All of my programs are geared towards developing a relationship with a Sanskrit chanting practice. This can be done from different angles and different levels of intensity based on your own personal goals.

Free Community Classes -  I try to offer free community chanting practices at least twice a month. These are great if you’re new to chanting and would like to give it a try.

Sacred Sound 40-day Practices - These are 6-week themed containers focusing on establishing a regular daily chanting practice through japa (repetition of simple mantras). In this program, the emphasis is on developing a sādhana (spiritual practice) that works for you. Classes meet twice a week (recordings are sent if you cannot attend). During class, in addition to a group chanting and meditation practice, we explore the energies that the mantras contain through symbolism, mythology, and how you can identify with them in your own life, as well as related yogic philosophy. These are a great fit if you’d like to sit in community and practice. One of the most amazing pieces of these programs is feeling into the silent support offered as we sit together in the space one the 40 days.

Vedic Chanting for Beginners - These are entry level courses that give a solid foundation, not only to chanting, but to the cultural context of the mantras that many Westerners may not be familiar with. You will learn the Sanskrit alphabet along with the six foundational principles of chanting mantras from Veda. Depending on the specific beginner course, you will also be introduced to popular deities, foundational principles of chanting, or mantras that are considered important for specific aspects of daily practice. No experience is necessary for these courses. 

Suktam Studies - For students wishing to dive into longer texts, I offer advance bedginner/intermediate group study classes. Vedic Chanting for Beginners is a pre-requisite for these texts. I could write a whole blog about the benefits of learning longer texts…stay tuned.

Key to any Sanskrit chanting practice is knowing the sounds in the alphabet. Alphabet recitation is included in all practices. The 40-day practices and Vedic Chanting for Beginners are great if you are new to Sanskrit. I’m always happy to hop on a free consultation call to chat about which programs might be a good fit for you. To set up a call, click HERE.

Absolutely not. I was born into the Catholic religion, became an atheist as a young adult, then proceeded to explore every spiritual tradition under the sun. When I began studying yoga, I found that I resonated with Indian spiritual traditions in a way that hadn't experienced anywhere else. 

These practices are not exclusive. There is no problem chanting to Ganesha and also praying to Mary or any other form of the divine. The Indic knowledge systems regard any name and form of the divine as one face on a many faceted crystal of the same universal intelligence.