What is the meaning of Om?

Hi there Yogis! For this weeks topic we have chosen to answer a recent question from one of lovely students, 'Whats is the meaning of OM?

Om is actually a sound rather than a word. The sound was  first felt by Rishis during Vedic times whilst meditating and was then taken on as a Sanskrit word. The whole Sankrit language is based on sound vibrations and Om is said to hold the universe within it vibration. Om in fact is more accurately represented as AUM and divided in 4 sounds.

A (aaaahh) - This sound connects us to the beginning of all things, the creation of the universe and our deep rooted connection to the earth. When we make the sound aaaaahh, we can feel how it comes from deep in our lower abdomen.
U (oooohh) - This sound connects us to the energy of the universe. A sense of something that is greater than what we see and feel with our senses. When we make the sound oooooh we can feel it in our solar plexus.
M (mmmm) - This sound connects us to the oneness of all things. A completion and wholeness.The mmmm sound completes the journey of the sound vibration at the top of head.
Silence - The final sound is actually the silence at the end. The silence representing the feeling of knowing, existing and being here now.

The meaning of Om and its benefits, is a huge subject with many different theories and traditions attached. So what you have here is a very short explanation. However, it is said that the only way to truly understand the meaning of Om, is to feel its meaning whist chanting! ;)