Relaxation and Centering Mantras for Meditation

These were taught to me by my best friend, Robin, who is an RYT and has years of experience in more styles of yoga that I could number. For these, assume your preferred meditation asana, which I usually do sitting tall or cross-legged or in lotus while laying back on the floor. Open the heart chakra. You can use a gassho mudra (flat hands together at heart), place your hands on your knees, or if you are reclining, place your hands on the floor with palms up. Repeat one mantra and, with each breath, bring the energy in through the crown, down the spine to the root, and back up again.

1. "Om namah shivaya" (meaning loosely "I bow to the Self")
2. "So hum" ("So" on inhale, "Hum" on exhale, slowly and controlled in an effort to focus and center the mind)
3. "Hom sa" ("Hom" on inhale, "Sa" on exhale, slowly and controlled in and effort to relax and loosen the mind ad body)

Namaste