Chanting isn’t just for monks in mountaintop monasteries. It’s for anyone with a voice and a breath—which means it’s for all of us. What began as a curiosity in my music studies at Leeds Conservatoire has become a deeply rooted wellness ritual, both personally and professionally. Whether I’m sitting in stillness chanting alone or with a room full of students, chanting never fails to ground, soothe, and transform me.

So what exactly is chanting and why should you give it a go?

The Science and Spirit of Sound
What I love most about chanting is that it lives at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science. It’s not just spiritual fluff—chanting has measurable effects on the brain and body.

Mental & Emotional Benefits
The rhythmic repetition of sound reduces stress, calms the nervous system, and helps clear the mind. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about repeating a mantra—like gently pressing the reset button on your thoughts. It’s helped me through some tough moments, I also find it helps sooth my anxiety and overwhelm.
 

Physical Health Perks
When you chant, you breathe more deeply and slowly, which boosts lung capacity and stimulates the vagus nerve—part of the parasympathetic nervous system. This brings on a “rest and digest” state, counteracting the stress response. Some studies even suggest that chanting can support immune function. It’s like a sonic tonic for your body.

Spiritual & Social Connection
Chanting deepens mindfulness and anchors me in the present moment. It also connects me to something greater than myself—whether that’s the energy of a group, a spiritual tradition, or simply the power of intention carried through sound. There’s a special kind of magic that happens when many voices unite in one vibration. It’s community. It’s healing. It’s pure resonance.
 

My First Encounter with Chant-Inspired Music
While studying for my degree in music, I discovered The Lamb by John Tavener—a modern choral work set to William Blake’s poem, by the same title. Though not chant in the traditional sense, it felt deep, emotional and earthy. The piece’s a cappella ,bare all texture, and spiritual simplicity struck a chord in me, right down in my gut, like my whole rib cage was vibrating. Tavener’s use of mirrored harmony creating discord followed by resolution and meditative pacing is reminiscent of mantras. The repetition becoming a kind of sacred architecture within the sound.
Listening to The Lamb was the first time I felt chant without even chanting. It invited stillness. It whispered reverence. It made me want to explore the power of voice and vibration more intentionally.
 

How to Start Your Own Chanting Practice
You don’t need to be religious—or even musical—to chant. You just need breath, voice, and a willingness to be present. Here’s how I recommend getting started:

 1. Choose a Simple Mantra
Start with one that feels easy and meaningful:
•    Om: The universal vibration—calming and centering.
•    So Hum: “I am that”—helps link breath and mind.
•    Om Shanti Shanti Shanti: A mantra for peace on all levels.
 

2. Set the Scene
Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and maybe light a candle or incense. The more at ease you feel, the deeper you’ll go.
 

3. Use Your Breath
Inhale deeply into your belly, using your diaphragm to slowly release the sound. Let the sound ride your exhale. This slows the breath, calms the mind, and strengthens your connection to the vibration.
 

4. Repeat with Rhythm
Start with 5–10 minutes. You can use a mala (beaded necklace) to count repetitions or just follow your intuition. Whether you chant aloud, whisper, or do it silently—each method has its own beautiful effect.
 

5. Go to a yoga class that includes chanting.
I guarantee you won’t feel as silly if the whole room is belting out together and your teacher is leading the way. You don’t even need to make a sound if you don’t want to – and there’s always the lovely yoga that follows. Inner Lifetime is a fabulous studio that wonderfully incorporates all aspects of yoga, not just the ‘western workout’ (grumpy face).
 

6. Be Consistent, Not Perfect
It’s not about perfect pitch or pronunciation—it’s about intention. Even a few minutes a day can shift your mood, energy, and awareness.
 

A Global Tradition
Chanting is a thread that weaves through nearly every culture on earth:
•    Gregorian Chant in medieval Europe
•    Vedic Mantras from ancient India
•    Tibetan Buddhist Chanting like Om Mani Padme Hum
•    Shomyo from Japan’s temples
•    Native American ceremonial chants
•    Qur’anic Recitation (Tajweed)
•    Jewish Cantillation of sacred texts
•    African tribal chants with hypnotic rhythms and communal power
Even modern forms like Kirtan, chant-poetry, or ambient mantra music invite us into this long lineage of sound and stillness.
 

A Personal Note
When I chant ‘Om’—whether alone or in a circle—I often see colours behind my closed eyes. It began as a soft green and over time has become a warm, radiant orange-red. The vibrations travel through me, calming my nervous system and filling me with peace. Chanting in a large group is an experience almost beyond words—it’s a shared heartbeat, a collective exhale, a kind of sonic alchemy. You just know and feel when that vibration hits right, it’s like a form of ecstasy.
So why do I love to chant? Because it heals. It connects. It clears space for joy, clarity, and compassion to bloom. And every time I return to it, I’m reminded: the most powerful instrument I have is my own voice.