#20: Magic

Magical mantras for the start of Autumn

In preparation for this month’s issue, I’ve been reflecting on the concept of magic, what it is and how it relates to Yoga and my practice.

But before we delve into this, I think it’s helpful for us to have a framework, and, so, the Oxford definition of the word ‘magic’ is:

The secret power of appearing to make impossible things happen by saying special words or doing special things.

Secondly, in terms of how I feel about magic, I think it’s interesting to start expanding with the age-old question: Do you believe in magic?

And, yes, I do.

This is because not only do I think there is something truly magical (and far beyond human comprehension) going on here in this thing we call ‘life’, but I also partake in some magical, or ‘superstitious’, beliefs and behaviours without really ever thinking about it. Such as crossing my fingers when I need a bit of luck, and blowing out my birthday candles every year. There’s a whole bunch of other stuff that I do with magical origins, no doubt, but I hope that’s enough for you to get the gist.

Photo by Guilherme Stecanella on Unsplash

In terms of Yoga, I believe in its magic every time I practice. It may sound extreme, but it’s true. Especially on the days when I turn up on my mat, but could have easily just laid down in my bed and had a sleep.

Don’t get me wrong, often my ‘practice’ is doing the one thing that I need the most, and resting is a very valid and necessary yogic pastime in my book. But, on the days when I could have talked myself out of showing up - when I am all up in my head and distracted and attached and trapped - and then to experience the amazing feeling that occurs after my practice… well, it is nothing short of magic.

Our yogic practices have a lot in common with the principles of magic. The Oxford definition mentioned above states the saying of “special words” and the doing of “special things”, which is what Yoga is. In fact, one of my teachers often describes her mat as a ‘magic carpet’.

You could say that we “do special things” when we move our bodies in unison with our breath. When we become fully embodied. And we “say special things” when we use intentions and mantra in our practice.

And it is mantra in particular that I am going to focus on this time.

Magical Mantra

I know there are some practitioners of Yoga who dislike the use of mantra.

In class, I’ve had students that hated it. Feeling it was ‘weird’. And that’s absolutely fine. But I have also had students tell me how powerful they have found incorporating mantra into their practice. As well as in their day-to-day lives.

After all, using mantra is one of the ways that we can take our yoga ‘off the mat’ and, at the same time, acknowledge the origins of this sacred and ancient practice.

My own discovery of mantra has been interesting. First shown Sanskrit mantras as a teenager, by an aunt, I used to listen to the recordings, and while I thought they were very beautiful, I never really connected with them in any personal or meaningful way. This would have been in my more chaotic years. I don’t know for sure, but I’d imagine this was a gentle nudge from a caring relative who had found something that had helped her. Despite the fact that I, clearly, wasn’t ready to receive it fully, the seeds of appreciation were being sown by this influence, and in all sorts of other ways as well. Not least through my own self-directed and growing interest in mindfulness.

Mindfulness being the practice that opened me up to meditation and then on to Yoga.

But it wasn’t until my yoga practice was more established (if that’s the right term), much further down the line, that I began to feel something with certain mantras.

Photo by petr sidorov on Unsplash

Mantra is a Sanskrit word and it is said to mean “tools of thought” or “tools for the mind”, and to others it simply means: prayer. Mantra is the utterance of special words; or the saying of “special things”, and I love how Yogapedia describes mantra:

A mantra can be understood as any sound, word or phrase that alters consciousness through meaning, tone, rhythm, or physical vibration. When chanted with devotion, certain utterances are thought to create powerful vibrations within the body and mind, enabling deep states of meditation.

As I said, I started slowly with mantra, and over time I now have a few that I turn to regularly, because of their personal relevance to me.

There are many, many mantras, and just as many artists who have crafted them into beautiful songs, and luckily we have the means to discover all of this music due to the rather magical internet.

I have included some of my favourite more simple mantras in this month’s playlist. I hope they inspire you to look into the possibility of mantra working for you.

I’d suggest listening to different mantras, seeing which ones make you feel something when you are listening, and then find out the meaning afterwards.

When you’ve found something you like, I’d also suggest working with just one mantra at a time, building up your own catalogue slowly. Allowing each mantra to be fully absorbed and the meaning to be more deeply understood.

To leave you, I am doing so with a mantra that is both beautiful and entirely fitting for us to close with.

Aum, Shanti, Shanti, Shantih.

Om Shanti, or Om Shanti Om, is an invocation for peace.

Aum (Om) is the universal mantra. The seed sound. And Shanti means peace.

I love this mantra and I use it to close my personal practice and classes because not only is it traditional to do so, but it is also very simple and uncluttered, and I believe it has an immediate, peaceful effect.

Sometimes, I repeat it, either silently or quietly, whenever I need peace.

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On a separate but related note, and given that it is the season of Samhain, I once read a great book called Yoga For Witches

Now, I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as a “witch”, so I am not too sure what it was that drew me to reading the book in the first place.

Perhaps there’s a repressed aspect of this divine feminine archetype in me somewhere. Recognising itself. But, at the very least, I guess I just liked the unique way that the author, Sarah Robinson, described how Yoga and witchcraft are complimentary embodied practices. Needless to say, I was intrigued.

As a time in European history, I’ve always been interested in the witch hunts, also known as The Witch Trials, and I’ve often wondered how my ancestors managed to witness (or maybe even survive) this horrendous period.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Anyway, the book explores all of these ideas, and more, in relation to Yoga and magic, and I highly recommend it as an autumnal read. And to borrow Sarah’s words in the book, I hope it helps you to “Find your magic on the mat.”

So, until next time, when the theme will be Release, go gently and stay magical.

With kindness,

Louisa x

P.S. Please find here this month’s playlist and journal pages.