What is Nada Yoga?
The word 'Nada' comes from the Sanskrit word, 'Nad', which essentially signifies sound. It also means 'flow' and in this context would relateto the flow of consciousness. Nadam resonates to the sound of 'Om', which is the primordial energy. Nada yoga is an exercise invoking a union with God, through sound or music.
In Nada yoga, the aspirant focuses his attention on the anahata nada or the inner sound. The focus should be on the sound produced within the human body and not on any external vibration. The practitioner experiences a feeling of stillness, which instills an ability to reconnect with the soul or the 'atman'.
Yogis extol the ten inner astral sounds along with the supreme sound of 'Om.' Nada yoga assists in tuning ourselves to all the astral sounds, ultimately immersing oneself with the cosmic sound, 'Om'; perhaps the reason why the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali say that mantra Om is "the sound that expresses the divine absolute, which should be repeatedly intoned while absorbing its meaning."
In nada yoga practice, we start by merely observing the sound around us and then cultivating awareness to them.
Types of Nada Yoga:
These are four types of Nadas
- Vaikhari – audible sound
- Madhyama – mental sound, unstruck sound
- Pashyanta – a subconscious sound
- Paranada – transcendent sound
Among the four Nadas, Para Nada is endowed with the highest frequency that produces nil vibration. The cosmic 'Om' is Paranada, full of pure energy and light. Nada yoga helps in raising the awareness of the self and experiencing the profound inner layers. The essence of Nada Yoga is summed up in the words of Sankaracharya,, "By one, who is desirous of attaining perfection in yoga, Nada alone has got to be closely heard (meditated upon), having abandoned all thoughts and with a calm mind."
Therapeutic Aspect of Nada Yoga
This yoga alleviates the problems relating to the mind. It calms the mind and raises one's level of consciousness. Nada or sound exerts a powerful influence on ones mind. It brings about a healthy state of consciousness in an individual. A sense of joy, harmony, flexibility and fulfillment develops. The potency of sound promotes relaxation, relieves ailments from aches and pains. It also reduces the anxiety that accompanies chemotherapy. The vibrations lower the heart rate, relax the brain wave patterns and reduce respiratory rates.
References:
www.frankperry.co.uk
www.crystallotus.com
www.indiaforvisitors.com
www.russillpaul.com
www.shantishivani.com
www.scan-yoga.org
