| Unfortunately, some Yoga teacher training courses do | | | | occur during the course of a day. Even if you were in |
| not cover the value of mantra or japa. In fact, in some | | | | the middle of a sacred prayer, while driving your car, |
| rare cases, an intern might learn two dozen (24) Yoga | | | | would you be able to maintain good thoughts? Now, |
| postures (asanas), at level one, over a weekend. It is | | | | what if other drivers were endangering your life by |
| true that you have to start somewhere, but, in this | | | | running stop signs? |
| case, a teacher's continuing education must be | | | | This is just one example of real life situations. How do |
| pursued in a multitude of directions. | | | | you usually react to a bullying co-worker? Would |
| However, let's talk about the true benefits, and value | | | | prayer, affirmation, or mantra, protect you from |
| of mantra. The definition of mantra should be clear to | | | | negative thoughts? Would you be peaceful, and logical, |
| all Yoga teachers, but the most common | | | | in the face of an adversary? |
| understanding might be: A mystical or sacred syllable, | | | | In truth, you would react to torment, but your emotions |
| word, or set of words. In Sanskrit the definition of | | | | would be kept in check, to some degree, as a result of |
| mantra is: "Mind protection." | | | | mantra practice. It is only human to have feelings. As |
| One might ask: Protection from what? In short, mantra | | | | you know, feelings and thoughts can be good or not |
| is protection from self-destructive "mind chatter." Not all | | | | so good. |
| mind chatter is self-destructive, but some of us easily | | | | So, why do we judge ourselves so harshly over |
| default toward negative thoughts, when we are | | | | thousands of daily thoughts, which come and go? We |
| awake, and even, when we dream. | | | | fear that we are what we think about. Now, we have |
| Mantras are words, with the power to protect the | | | | come back "full circle," to the true value of mantra, |
| Yoga practitioner through repetition and practice. How | | | | prayer, and positive affirmation. |
| is this possible? Positive affirmations and prayers do | | | | The self-protection of our mental health is dependent |
| the same thing. The only person who doubts the | | | | upon having a focused, and controlled, mind. This is the |
| power of positive affirmation and prayer is a pessimist. | | | | reason why every Yoga teacher certification program |
| Pessimism is a guaranteed path toward | | | | should completely expose the positive value of mantra. |
| self-destruction. | | | | In turn, Yoga teachers should pass this knowledge on |
| Therefore, let's consider the optimistic path of | | | | to their students as Yogis did for thousands of years |
| enlightenment. Your mind will need protection from | | | | before us. |
| negative internal or external influences, which naturally | | | | |