Namaste Everyone,
This blog is part of our YCB practical exam series. Yoga Certification Board conducts exams for Yoga Teachers Training for various levels. All the courses are very well structured and globally recognized. Post clearing this exam one becomes a registered teacher with Govt of India. AyushmanYog helps you prepare for these exams.
The Prep for YCB_Level1_Practical-
The practical exams of YCB are taken by a panel of 4-5 highly educated and experienced Teachers. The exams can be taken either in online or offline mode, depending upon one's convenience. The exam usually takes 20-30 minutes. All the questions will be asked from the practical Syllabus only. Check the Syllabus here.
Topic 1- Mantra Chanting
Mantra chanting is the first question, the examiner will ask you. Below are some of the question patterns-
How do you start your practice?
Do you chant any mantra before you begin the practice?
Do you know any Mantra?
Chant any 2 mantras.
Do Omkara chanting.
Hence, be prepared with at least 4 mantras. While chanting remember-
Be thorough with the pronunciation.
Always begin and end the mantra with "Omkara" chanting.
Also, learn the origin of the mantra and the meaning of the mantra. But only explain if asked.
Chant with proper positioning, for instance- sit in any meditative asana, palms either in jnana mudra or in namaste, eyes closed, take a deep inhale, and then chant.
If Omkara chanting is asked, then usually they would tell you how many times you have to chant. If not, then only chant once.
These are some of the mantras you can prepare-
Gayatri Mantra-
Origin- Rigveda
The rishi of this mantra is Vishvamitra.
The devata is Savitr,
The Chhanda is Gayatri (one of the metrical forms adopted in Rigveda).
Om- Bhur- Bhuva- Svah
Tat- Savitur- Varenyam |
Bhargo- Devasya- Dhimahi
Dhiyo- Yo- Nah- Prachodayat||
ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं |
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ||
Meaning- We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illuminates all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illuminate our intellect.
Listen to the track for pronunciation-
2. Shanti Mantra-
Origin- Mentioned in Puranas.
This verse was also musically adapted, particularly for the purpose of service and prayers in Brahmo temples, by Rabindranath Tagore.
Om- Sarve- Bhavantu- Sukhinah
Sarve- Santu- Niraamayaah |
Sarve- Bhadraanni- Pashyantu
Maa- Kashcid- Duhkha- Bhaag- Bhavet |
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||
सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु
मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग् भवेत्।।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning- May all be happy; May all be free from infirmities; May all see good; May none partake in suffering. May there be Peace, Peace, Peace.
Listen to the track for pronunciation-
3. Pavman Mantra-
Origin- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
Pavman meaning "being purified, strained", is historically a name of Soma.
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya |
Mrityor-Ma Amritam Gamaya
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||
ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय।
तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय।
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ॥
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ॥
Meaning- From falsehood, lead me to truth, From darkness, lead me to light, From death, lead me to immortality. May there be Peace, Peace, Peace.
Listen to the track for pronunciation-
4. Shanti Mantra-
Origin- Ishavasya Upanishad.
This mantra is commonly chanted as a prayer before the study of Upanishad begins.
This is a mantra of the most significant statements ever made anywhere on earth at any time.
Om Poornam-adah Poornam-idam
Poornat-Poornam-udachyate |
Poorn-asya Poornam-aadaya Poornam-eva-vashishyate,
Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih ||
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Meaning-
THAT is infinite, THIS is infinite; From That, This comes. THIS added or removed from THAT, the Infinite remains as Infinite. Om, peace, peace, peace.
Listen to the track for pronunciation-
5. Patanjali Invocation Mantra-
This invocation to Patañjali is the introduction to the Bhoja Vritti, the commentary on the Yoga Sutras written by Raja Bhoj.
Yogena - cittasya- padena- vācāṁ
Malaṁ - śarīrasya - ca - vaidyakena|
Yo'pākarottaṁ - pravaraṁ - munīnāṁ
Patañjaliṁ - prāñjalirānato'smi ||
Ābahu - puruṣākāraṁ
Śaṅkha - cakrāsi - dhāriṇaṁ|
Sahasra - śīrasaṁ - śvetaṁ
Pranamāmi - patañjalim ||
योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां।
मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन॥
योऽपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां।
पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि॥
आबहु पुरुषाकारं।
शङ्खचक्रासि धारिणं॥
सहस्र शीरसं श्वेतं।
प्रनमामि पतञ्जलिम्॥
Meaning- Yoga that brings quietness of mind; grammar that elicits effective speech and the healing arts that remove bodily ailments. He bestowed these things—that most illustrious of sages Patañjali to whom I make reverential obeisance.
Spirit rendered into human form, Bearing the conch, the discus, and the sword. Adorned with the cobra of one thousand heads. I bow down before Patañjali.
Listen to the track for pronunciation-
These are some of the commonly chanted mantras one can prepare for the YCB practical exams. If you want to learn any other mantra apart from these, that is okay too. Please ensure that you get the right pronunciation. Many mantras are easily available on YouTube.
All The Best and Happy Learning!
Which are the mantras which you usually chant in your classes? Let me know in the comment box. You can also reach me at yogafitness.nidhi@gmail.com.
Authored by
Nidhi (Senior Teacher @Ayushman Yog)
Level 1- 200 hrs., Level 3- 800 hrs. (YCB)
MSC (Yoga), MSC(Vedanta)
yogafitness.nidhi@gmail.com
Comments