What are the 4 most common mistakes when starting a sound practice?
Many beginners stop their sound yoga journey before they have been able to harvest the benefits because of these mistakes: 1) Overwhelm 2) Poor Posture 3) Judging your voice and 4) Wrong intention.
Mistake 1: Overwhelm
Some of the effects of a regular sound yoga practice are the calming of the mind, the gain of mental clarity and the connection to the self.
However, at the beginning of a sound yoga journey there are so many things to learn and keep in mind, that often instead of relaxation and joy, there is a complete overwhelm.
Here is how you can avoid overwhelm and relax into your practice from the beginning:
Start each practice with the intention to relax into the sound. The goal of each practice is connection to the practice itself. Nothing more and nothing less.
Trust the process and focus on one element at the time. To learn and embody a Mantra or a Rāga might take a lifetime. Start with the basics and enjoy the moment.
Look out for sound yoga (Nāda Yoga) beginner classes and teachers offering guided classes providing solid background information and explanations.
A beginner-friendly chanting group and a Sanskrit pronunciation course are certainly a good place to start.
Mistake 2: Poor Posture
If you are not used to sitting like a yogi, you should slowly get used to sitting on the floor and start on a suitable chair first.
For a relaxing sound practice it is important that your breath can flow freely. The pelvic floor and diaphragm should not be strained by the sitting position, but should be able to move freely.
The following hints can help making your chanting experience even better everytime you practice:
As you sit down for your practice, bring your attention to your sit bones and make sure you transfer your weight through them to the chair or floor.
Relaxing doesn't mean collapsing! Straighten your spine from your pelvis while keeping it soft as if you were leaning your upper back against a wall or the back of a chair.
As you chant, keep your neck relaxed and don't tilt your chin forward or up. Let your jaw be soft. Breathing into the sides of your chest helps stabilize your body and relax at the same time.
Micromovements with your head or spine also help you stay relaxed while you chant. I recommend warming up not only your voice but also your body at the beginning of the practice.
Mistake 3: Judging your voice
Many uf us have been conditioned to compare and judge. And often we judge our selves the hardest.
From your voice you can clearly hear how you are feeling. It is therefore not surprising that many do not like their own voice. Your voice is a mirror of your soul and sometimes it takes all your courage to look. But once you see it, it's so rewarding!
How can you get a better relationship with your voice?
Every voice is unique and beautiful. Your voice can flourish if you take care of it and don't sing outside of your vocal range.
A nice way of making contact is to record a mantra that you have sung yourself and chant to it.
Observe your thoughts and judgments about your voice. Try out which thoughts make your voice shine and think more of them. Try "My voice is beautiful" and let me know what happens!
Mistake 4: Chanting with a wrong intention
Some mantras are touted for externals such as wealth, success, or beauty, others against evil, disease, or death. I'm in no position to say that's not true. However, I believe that it is more about inner development.
A mantra is an ancient sound formula that unfolds its power above all from the totality of pronunciation, rhythm and tone. It is sacred.
Your intention certainly plays a role, but the mantra cannot be influenced.
The goal of each practice is connection to your self.
Take your time to learn a mantra and use it with care and gratitude.
Let the power of the mantra unfold naturally.
Namaste
Monika
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