🐾 Bella loves music. When we picked her up from her breeder in Sydney three years ago, we drove the 10 hours back to Melbourne playing chill music to keep her calm.

I think that’s why she loves chilled-out beats like Bonobo, Leon Bridges, and Xavier Rudd. She often hangs out near the speakers of our turntable, vibing with the music. Every day around lunchtime, we take her up to the bedroom, pop on some doggy TV with relaxing music, and she takes a nap.

When I did my yoga teacher training last year, we learned about mantras.

In yoga, mantras are sacred sounds, words, or phrases repeated to focus the mind, connect with a higher purpose, and align body, mind, and spirit. Derived from the Sanskrit words manas (mind) and tra (tool), a mantra is essentially a “tool for the mind” that helps calm mental chatter and cultivate inner stillness.

One of the most ancient and respected mantras in yoga and Vedic tradition is the Gayatri Mantra, often called a “universal prayer.” It’s all about bringing light, wisdom, and clarity into your life.

The Gayatri Mantra:

“Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat”

What it Means:

• Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah: A call to the divine energy present in all parts of existence—earth, sky, and beyond.
• Tat Savitur Varenyam: A salutation to the source of all creation, the divine light that brings life and wisdom.
• Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi: A meditation on that radiant light to purify and uplift us.
• Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat: A request for guidance, asking this light to inspire and guide our thoughts.

Traditionally, the Gayatri Mantra is repeated 108 times, often using mala beads to keep count. When I first tried chanting it myself, Bella wasn’t impressed—she started crying! 😂 She’s clearly not a fan of my singing voice, so now I listen to a recording by Deva Premal instead.

It takes just over 20 minutes, and after listening, I’m in such a better frame of mind. It’s a beautiful way to start the day, helping me feel grounded and ready for whatever comes my way. If I’ve been around people who are agitated, I’ll often pop on my headphones and listen to it again to reset and find calm… or I’ll play some positive music to lift my mood like Xavier Rudd, India Arie, or Michael Franti.

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The Science Behind Sound

Science has long recognized the health benefits of sound, confirming what ancient traditions have known for ages: sound vibrations profoundly impact the body and mind. Whether it’s the uplifting melodies of Beethoven and Mozart, the psychedelic rhythms of Pink Floyd, or the sacred tones of the Gayatri Mantra, sound can transform our mental and physical state.

Here’s how it works:

• Sound Vibrations: All sounds, from your favorite song to a soothing mantra, create vibrations that interact with your body, resonating with your physical and energetic systems to stimulate balance and harmony.
• Relaxation Response: Listening to calming sounds can activate the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s “rest and digest” mode—lowering stress hormones, slowing your heart rate, and promoting calm.
• Brainwave Synchronization: Rhythmic and repetitive sounds help your brain shift into alpha or theta brainwave states, which are linked to relaxation, creativity, and meditation.
• Emotional Regulation: Sound affects brain chemistry, increasing dopamine (the “feel-good” hormone) and lowering cortisol (the stress hormone), improving mood, focus, and resilience.

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Potential Health Benefits

By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, practices like listening to mantras or your favorite music can:

• Help regulate blood pressure.
• Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Support better digestion by calming the nervous system.
• Enhance emotional resilience and mental clarity.
• Promote deeper, more restorative sleep.

The Gayatri Mantra is particularly known for its spiritual and vibrational resonance, believed to awaken wisdom and light. Listening to or chanting it connects us not just to a sense of inner peace but also to a higher purpose.

Sometimes the world gets a little much… and perhaps popping on noise-cancelling headphones and listening to something soothing might be just the yoga you need today. 💜✨

What’s a mantra, song, or ritual that helps you find your calm? I’d love to hear about it! 🌼