FYB Online Library

Prarthana means invocatory prayer. Different traditions have different prarthana shlokas they begin with, and I offer you this mantra within the Viniyoga tradition. When beginning your practice, practice this mantra as a way of honoring the time you are spending to practice, learn and receive.

Practice a foundational invocation mantra in the Viniyoga tradition! This mantra honors and acknowledges Śri Krṣṇamacārya as one of our foundational teachers, and the torchbearer of what know as Viniyoga. He and his son, T.K.V Desikachar have passed down the Viniyoga tradition through generations and made it accessible to many people who even less than 100 years ago would have not have been able to access these sacred practices. Access the words to the mantra here.

Practice the full version of the Gayatri mantra! This is an energizing mantra that brightens the mind and uplifts the spirit. Pro tip: Try practicing Gayatri mantra in the morning facing the sun.

Gayatri mantra is an energizing mantra that brightens the mind and uplifts the spirit. In this practice, you will learn the first section of Gayatri mantra, and have space to practice with call and response.

This invocation mantra honors Mr. TKV Desikachar, my teachers’ teacher, and the torchbearer of the Viniyoga lineage. You can chant this mantra at the beginning of your practice, alongside your other opening mantras. Click here to access the words for the mantra.

Om Sarve Bhavantu is a mantra that invokes compassion for ourselves, our communities, and the world. We are in need of community that supports and uplifts one another more than ever. This melodic mantra brings in a deep sense of compassion and intention for the wellbeing of every single being. Click here to read the words for the mantra.

Pūrnamadaḥ Mantra is one of the Śanti (peace) mantras. Pūrna means whole, or complete. In this mantra, we are acknowledging the wholeness that is always present within us, and in every being and aspect of the universe. Even when the material world shifts and fades away, that which is whole will always remain. And that wholeness is always in us, ready for us to connect to. Click here to access the words to this mantra.

One of my favorite mantra practices is the simple and powerful chanting of OM. In this practice, we break down Om into its three different sounds - A, U, and M. I invite you to try this practice seated or lying down, and to notice where you feel the vibration of the sounds in your body. Try this practice whenever you need a few minutes to bring yourself into the present moment.

Saha Nā is a part of the Shanti (peace) mantras, and clears the energetic space when working with others and/or learning together. Traditionally, Saha Na is chanted at the beginning of a school lesson, meetings, or any other time when learning and knowledge exchange is going to happen. You’ll hear this mantra at the beginning of some of the practices in the rest of the library! There is space for call and response if you would like to practice with me. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

This simple śānti mantra has plenty of repetition to help calm the nervous system and prepare the mind for rest. The first two cycles have space for call and response, followed by 2 cycles chanted in full where you can chant with me. Feel free to play this mantra several times until you feel the soothing effects. I love doing this mantra a few times throughout the today when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

The first of the śānti mantras, this mantra invigorates the mind while calling on the sun as a friend - something we can always rely on, look to for support, and ask for protection. The recording begins with the mantra chanting without pauses, and is followed by the mantra chanted with pauses for call and response to practice with. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

Harness the potent energy of the full moon with these two soothing and repetitive mantras - Om Som Somāya Namaḥ + Om Sri Candrāya Namaḥ. These mantras are also perfect when you are feeling highly stressed or under pressure. This practice is in call and response style. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

Suryanamaskara Mantrah is a powerful mantra to energize the body and mind. This mantra practice honors the sun and all that it represents and provides to each and every living thing. This practice has space for call and response in the beginning and is followed by the mantra being chanted again in full. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

Laghunyāsaḥ mantra is a beautiful way to nourish all the different aspects of the human system and to nourish the heart and true self. Laghunyāsaḥ asks different elements in nature to nourish specific parts of the human body, and for those parts of the human being to nourish one’s true self.

Ayurmantra is one of my favorite mantras because it has a nourishing effect on the different aspects of the human system. ‘Ayur’ in Sanskrit means ‘life.’ This mantra calls on nature to nourish different parts of our being, like our capacity for seeing, the ability to speak, or the mind. I find that it is very nurturing for those doing the hard and necessary work to create equity in our communities. In this recording, there is space for call and response if you would like to practice with me. Click here to view the words to the mantra.

Om Asato Mā is often chanted at the end of practice to call in a higher power or true self to guide us toward what is true, eternal, and clear seeing. Placing trust in something beyond our material beings allows an opportunity to surrender what is not within our control. Click here to view the words the mantra.

Kṣāma Ślokam and Sattvika Tyāgam are often chanted at the end of a mantra or yoga practice, in which the individual asks for forgiveness for any mistakes they may have made during their practice. There is a deep feeling of humility and respect for the teachings, and to remind us to keep the lens of a student. Click here to access the words to these two mantras.

Om Namo Somāya is a powerful mantra to focus and calm the mind while invoking the energy of the moon. You can practice this mantra anytime, but it is particularly powerful during the full moon and before sleep. Healing qualities of the moon are, for example: cooling, soothing, stability, accepting change, etc. In the recording, I chant the mantra in full once, and then I chant again with space for call and response if you would like to practice alongside the recording!

Ārogya mantra has a cleansing effect on all the different aspects of the human system. This mantra calls on different levels of our being - the mind, organs, senses, emotional systems, etc. and asks for them to be cleansed. Thus, it’s powerful when there is difficulty in letting go of things or when your perception of situations in your life is clouded.