Inviting

By Callie Mahoney

In the gradual unfolding of our yoga space, we are immersed in the feeling of mutuality within the interplay as students and teachers. 

We joyfully embrace the duality of the continually intertwined relationship that this practice offers as a fascinating and spontaneous occurrence. With time, we sense this evolution nourishing the bonds of self awareness in ourselves & in the shala with immense respect and gratitude.

And we wanted to share this beautiful sanskrit mantra, used to honor the connection between student and teacher and sanctify the transmission of knowledge between them.

This relation is called Parampara. It is a legacy of experiential exchange, of how we have shared and received the teachings of Yoga throughout generations. In this legacy, we are all students and all teachers both learning and instructing each other.

At the beginning of a course, students and teachers can recite this invocation of peace, as a way to clear any obstacles to understanding and create a space for auspicious communication. When we recite this prayer, we make a mutual agreement to be open to and benefit fully from the time spent together.

Listen to Sahana Vavatu on Spotify. Yotam Agam, Vinaya Karthik Rajan 2021

Om sahana vavatu

ॐ सह नाववतु

Om, may the Divine protect us together (teacher and student)

Om, que le Divin nous protège (l'enseignant et l'élève)

Saha nau bhunaktu

सह नौ भुनक्तु

May he nourish us together

Qu'il nous nourrisse ensemble

Saha viiryam karavaavahai

सह वीर्यं करवावहै

May we work together uniting our strength (for the good of humanity)

Puissions-nous travailler ensemble, unissant nos forces (pour le bien de l'humanité)

Tejasvi Navaditamastu

तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु

May our learning be luminous and purposeful.

Que notre apprentissage soit lumineux et utile

Maa vidvissaavahai

मा विद्विषावहै

May there be no conflict between us

Qu'il n'y ait pas de conflit entre nous

Om shanti, shanti, shanti

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Om peace, peace, and perfect peace (in me, between us, around us)

Om paix, paix, paix (en moi, entre nous, autour de nous

(In Kia Naddermier's interpretation).