Sanskrit for Chanting & Likhita Japa

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am absolutely in love with Sanskrit. From the first moment I was introduced to it, I loved the mystery. I knew there was magic encased in these beautiful ancient symbols. What I didn’t know at the time was what an impact learning this language would have on my yoga practice and my life.

Why Sanskrit?

A basic understanding of Sanskrit uplifts any yoga or mantra practice as you become more aware of the vibrational resonance of each letter happening in specific areas of the body.

Chanting in Sanskrit helps to calm the mind, improve immune function, increase concentration, and relieve stress. Used a meditation practice, chanting or writing mantras in Sanskrit can serve as a beautiful route to connect with Spirit. 

Deva in Sanskrit mean “shining” or “shining ones”. It’s the name Vedic tradition gives to the cosmic intelligence that we translate at gods and goddesses. Devanāgari, the Sanskrit alphabet, is literally translated as “city of the Gods” because the forms are said to encase the various sacred vibratory threads of the energy of creation.

Likhita Japa - The Art of Meditation Through Written Mantra

When we are chanting in Sanskrit we are activating these energies through sound, however, we can also work with them without vocalizing.

The same sacred energies activate when we practice the art of writing them.

Each letter in the Sanskrit alphabet is a mantra in itself.

Likhita japa is the meditation of mantra writing. As you focus on the shape of writing each letter you are activating the energy of the mantra to come alive.

You can write the same mantra repeatedly in a mantra journal and keep it anywhere you would like the the magic of that mantra to amplify. Keeping it with you, putting it under your pillow to absorb the energy while you sleep, or setting it in a place in your home you wish to cultivate that energy are a few ways this practice is used.

You can also write a mantra on a cup or pitcher to continually charge whatever you are drinking with the vibration.

You can also share written mantras with those you love as blessings.

CLASS FORMAT

Private classes take into consideration your ultimate goals and intention for learning, however the basics are the same.

If you are new to Sanskrit your first 3 classes will include:

• introduction to the origin and cultural context of the language

• introduction to the vowels and consonants and the specific areas of the mouth each sound is formed

• practice words to re-enforce comfort with pronunciation

• conjunct consonants

• visarga and anusvara

• rules of conjunction

• saha nā vavatu & pūrnamadah mantra

• Classes are recorded for practice and reviewing material

Additional classes may include writing Devanāgarī for likhita jaja, additional mantras for meditation or longer Suktam studies.

For more information contact me HERE.

WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF CHANTING SANSKRIT MANTRAS?

• Improved breathing and lung capacity

• Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system

• Calms and anchors the mind

• Improves concentration

• Improves memory

• Clears emotional blocks 

• Promotes healing

• Strengthens a connection to the Divine inside of yourself and all around you

Classes can be done live in person or over Zoom.

If you are interested in learning more, please reach out!