Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant

The Opening Prayer is a blessing of gratitude offered to the lineage of teachers and their students who have enabled this ancient practice to survive through thousands of years so that we can experience its benefits today. The recitation of this mantra cleanses the energy of the space we have chosen to practice yoga, as well as preparing the mind, body and emotions for the forthcoming Ashtanga sequence.

Om

Vande gurunam charanaravinde

Sandarshita svatma sukhava bhode

Nishreyase Jangalikaymane

Samsara halahala mohashantiye

Abahu Purushakaram

Shanka chakraasi dharinam

Sahasra shirasam swetam

Pranamami Patanjalim
Om

Translation
Om
I bow to the lotus feet of the great teacher
Who uncovers our true individual being, awakening bliss
Like the jungle healer who brings great wellbeing
Dispelling the poison of conditioned existence
The upper body having human form
Holding a conch, discus and sword
Having 1000 branching heads of white (or light)
I bow to Patanjali
Om

Ashtanga Yoga Closing Chant

The Closing Prayer brings the practice to a peaceful end; sealing in the work done and offering the efforts of our practice to improve the state of the world.

Closing Mangala Mantra

Om
Swasthi-praja bhyahpari pala yantam

Nya-yena margenamahi-mahishaha

Go-bramanebhyahashubamastunityam

Lokaa-samasthasukhino-bhavantu
Om

Translation
Om
May all be well with mankind.
May the leaders of the earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path.
May there be goodness for those who know the earth to be sacred
May all the worlds be happy.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti