Roop Verma: Music for Yoga ~ Morning

This CD provides 65 minutes of uninterrupted gently flowing sounds of sitar and bass tamboura in a morning raga which invokes the mood of spiritual awakening and draws our awareness to the sacred within. These sounds have an integrating quality for the body and mind, and hence are most conducive for hatha yoga practice. Also suitable for meditation, deep relaxation, or body work.

The music has a slow and gradual build up for easing into yoga practice. It continues at a steady pace until the end when it gradually slows down to enhance deep relaxation.

Blue Tribe: Deep Buddha

Deep Buddha features original vocals, percussion, flutes and other indigenous instruments recorded by the band in monasteries, temples, streets and villages in Kathmandu, Nepal and the surrounding Himalayan foothills, crafted into sensuous and infectious melodies and beats.

Traveling halfway around the world to a undeveloped land requires months of research and preparation. Unable to set up sessions in advance, the band had to find their way to the music, past the suspicion that all Westerners face when attempting to capture the sacred music and culture that is Nepal. Armed with field recording equipment and pair of stereo microphones the band took up residence at the Hotel Ganesh Himal in the heart of Kathmandu. From home base the band adventured into the Himalayas and into the surrounding villages, guided by veteran wilderness guide, National Geographic photographer and extreme mountaineer Gordon Wiltsie.

Tina Malia: The Lost Frontier

Weaving flavors of pop, world & electronic music with lush storytelling, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist & producer Tina Malia releases a breathtaking new album, “The Lost Frontier.”

"The title track sets up the entire album 'The Lost Frontier' because it highlights the cyclical nature of our existence and the far extremes that lie within it. The wheel is merely an observer as we move through revolutions of creation and decay, hope and despair, beauty and destruction. 'The Lost Frontier' is about acknowledging and understanding these different aspects in life and remembering that we have the power to choose what we do with that knowledge," says Malia.

Mata Mandir Singh: Turn of Age

Internationally renowned artist Mata Mandir Singh has dedicated over three decades to exploring devotional music. His extraordinary emotive and soul-stirring voice is enhanced with his deep understanding of naad yoga, kirtan, guitar, gatka, and musical composition.

Mata Mandir Singh has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Naad Yoga – the yoga of sound. A skilful guitar, mandolin and cittern player, he is a pioneer of the yoga music genre, having recorded more than 28 CDs and cassette tapes since the late 1970’s.

Turn of the Age is perfect for any listener looking for centering, states of awareness, creative enhancement, meditation, yoga, bodywork, and deep listening.

Amritakripa: Dancing Lotus

Amritakripa sings from the heart bringing the listener into sweet presence.

This is an offering which grew out of its name Dancing Lotus. Reaching down into the dark unknown of the self we found nourishment in the many elements of our own devotional practice. A love of ritual and dance, unexpected textures, ambiance, tribal drumming and percussion, interesting melodies and harmony are some of the threads that comprise the colorful tapestry of this CD.

Dennis Banks: Let Mother Earth Speak

Distinguished Native American activist Dennis Banks has teamed up with international new age superstar and GRAMMY® Award-winning Kitaro for his new album titled Let Mother Earth Speak.

This unity of Dennis Banks, who provides spoken word narrative, and Kitaro who accompanies Dennis with world-class instrumentals, is a world apart culturally speaking from the music customarily heard in modern day society.

Denver Chant Fest: February 2013

A new, national-level chant and yoga festival, the DENVER CHANT FEST, is making its debut in Colorado, February 15-17, 2013. One of the first winter festivals of its kind in the US, the Denver Chant Fest will gather the nation's top Bhakti (spiritual song) musicians including Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, C.C. White, Govindas and Radha and beloved sound-smiths including DJ Drez and an array of local live musicians and DJs.

Internationally-beloved yoga instructors including Bryan Kest, Janet Stone and Saul David Raye are all on-board to rock festival-goers' souls in the beautiful Rocky Mountain State of Colorado.

Held at the stunning, historic Sherman Street Event Center located less than a half-hour drive from Denver International Airport the Denver Chant Fest will be a weekend-long festival packed with ground breaking, soul-stirring conscious live music, top-notch yoga instruction and wellness vendors from across the US whose main intention is to help festival attendees experience the Beloved-heart space and manifest the most health-filled life possible.

Amani Friend: Desert Dwellers/YogiTunes

Meet our final our co-founder. Amani has been BLAZING a path in sonic chemistry since his early years on this planet. His ears are tuned to exotic frequencies that live between the spaces and behind the mysteries. A key innovator in the collaborative project known as Desert Dwellers, the creator of Liquid Bloom, and a historic participant in Shaman’s Dream, he’s been an amazing influence in the world of Healing Music.

He just released Anahata Yoga Dub as a Desert Dwellers album and now follows right up with Dragon Dub Yoga Flow. A 70 minute journey great for just about any style of yogic practice.

It tastefully weaves soundscapes that immerse the listener in a journey to inner spaces and otherworldly sonic dimensions. He is a pioneering electronic music producer in the realms of electronic, dub and world fusion, having spent the past 24 years exploring where these dynamic styles of music co-exist. As the primary creative force behind the Desert Dwellers music catalog, Amani has produced six albums for White Swan Records in a series called DownTemple Dub. His latest offering in 2012 is called DownTemple Dub: Remixed, drawing on an amazing network of cutting edge ethnic-dub music producers to re-imagine the earlier Desert Dwellers chill yoga tracks into a kaleidoscope of midtempo breaks and ornately textured ambience.

Craig Kohland: Shaman's Dream/YogiTunes

Meet another of our co-founders: Craig Kohland, who has also been at the core of many well loved releases in the yoga and dance communities. The driving force inside Craig Kohland is the healing rhythm of the drum and the creative expression of the sacred. He is a talented multi-percussionist, performer, DJ, music producer and founder of Shamans Dream Music, Inc.

Craig and his multi-faceted musical project, The Shaman's Dream Music Collective, has been at the forefront of the yoga and ecstatic dance music movement since 1995. Along with producers Rara Avis and Amani Friend, Craig has produced 25 albums in the last 15 years. Craig has also performed with Krishna Das, Dave Stringer, Donna Delory, Suzanne Sterling, Tina Malia, Jaya Lakshmi, Bluetech and Chris Berry. Craig's team of producers have produced remix projects for Jai Uttal, Deva Premal, Donna Delory, Karsh Kale and many others.

In the Shamanic Journey Mix release he deftly weaves a DJ journey that draws you in and takes you deep. Perfect for a yoga flow, or a chillout session with your peeps. It Draws from both Shaman’s Dream and Desert Dwellers material, blended into a seamless mix.

The Bhajans: The Bhajans

The Bhajans is a devotional singing ensemble from Orcas Island, Wa., fronted by Fabrice Van Putten and Adam Starr Farish, and accompanied by Khadoma Colomby, Kevin Dickey, Jyoti Pavitt, and Emily Aring. The intention: To inspire a deeper sense of connection to the divine through the singing of timeless spiritually centered hymns from various cultures around the world. Our offering is designed to inspire you to join in... infused with a soothing groove and an infectious dose of "whomp."

The word "Bhajan" refers to any kind of devotional singing. The term encompasses Kirtan, Mantra, chanting, and many other forms of devotional voice. We sing because it makes us feel good. We harmonize because it reminds us that we are one. We laugh because it brings joy to parts of our bodies that need it. We rock The Bhajans 'cause we want to take it higher.

Rara Avis: Live Yoga Music Improvised

YogiTunes CEO and Co-Founder Alex King-Harris, aka Rara Avis, has been focusing on live yoga class sets that combine ableton live loops with improvised guitar and vocals. He often plays with teachers who use his music every day in class. So it’s a special treat for them to be able to co-create a live yoga and music flow. These performances are all improvised music journeys, mostly between 1 hour and 75 minutes long.

This and the past two releases from Craig and Amani are available WORLD WILDE and exclusive to YogiTunes.

The Music Industry Part 1

I'm Canadian, so you can imagine how I felt when my US based digital music company opened and I was told by our distributors that we weren't allowed to operate outside the US!

All my life I grew up wondering why things would take so long to break outside the US, feeling left out as a Canadian, and here I am on the other end of the stick... but not by choice.

The reason we're not allowed is because in almost all countries there exists a copyright agreement between the Federal Government and some kind of 'Performing Rights Society', or PRO. In the US we have ASCAP and BMI, in Canada it's SESAC and SOCAN.

Now for the artists sake, historically these companies have collected royalties on their behalf and paid it to them. They've been an essential part of artists generating revenue just because their music is being played out there on radio, TV, film, and now... the internet.

Deva Premal: Remixed

An all star cast of remix producers take Deva’s angelic voice to new heights on this new offering from Sounds True. Earthrise Soundsystem, Tierro, Shaman’s Dream, Cheb I Sabbah & Desert Dwellers are just a few of the talented artists lending their skills to migrate Deva’s amazing sounds into a chilled out electronic landscape

In contrast to the rock 'n' roll lifestyle of her husband Miten, Deva Premal was raised in an atmosphere of mantra and spiritual discipline.

DownTemple Dub: Remixed by Desert Dwellers

On DownTemple Dub: Remixed, world-class sound alchemists filter Desert Dwellers’ classic psy-chilled grooves through a kaleidoscope of midtempo breaks and ornately-textured ambience. Yoga dub meets ethno-electronic bass music on this genre-bending journey through realms of sonic bliss and dancefloor ecstasy.

Bringing the bass music vibe to the yoga space – and the yoga vibe to the bass music space – Desert Dwellers’ global sounds are the bridge between two ideas. Joining solid groove with sounds of serenity, their signature yoga dub aesthetic feels as natural after hours as it does on the yoga mat. Due in no small part to Desert Dwellers’ pioneering spirit, the very concept of yoga music has expanded dramatically.

Cryogenic Encounters: by Liquid Stranger

Never one to repeat himself and always up for a creative challenge, the Stranger brings us a fresh and distinctly analogue sound. Some aficionados may see a link to the early days of laid-back and chilled out IDM, others may just hear brilliantly produced and finely detailed dreamy electronic music. This album of deeper tunes has given the Stranger the freedom of long introductions, gentle builds and vast atmospheres. Some of the modular patches are particularly epic - there's some classic dual TB303 work - and it won't come as any surprise that here at Interchill we really appreciate the Stranger's formidable abilities in sound design, melody and arrangement. In this digital-only release, mastered by Vincent Villius [aka Aes Dana], all the right aural ingredients come together to make this sonic concoction something special to immerse oneself in over the quiet winter months.

For all the fans of the Stranger's harder edge, you're encouraged to kick back and get into a mellower and more cinematic side to his musical persona. Rest assured, he'll be dropping the bass later in the fall with The Renegade Crusade, the much anticipated follow up to The Arcane Terrain.

Flow of the Soul Groove: by Diane Hudock

Diane Hudock is a leading and recognized yoga instructor known for her inspirational style of teaching, humor, and hands-on approach bringing together the expansive and healing principles of yoga within a dynamic and spontaneous Vinyasa flow. She has developed her own unique philosophy: “do a consciously challenging and heart-centered practice, that shifts you out of your comfort zone, in order to remove fear, expand the mind, and create the greatest freedom in the physical body.”

Yoga Becomes Eclectic: by Micheline Berry

Yoga is not just a path of asana and alignment… it is a path of living life as a vibrant, breathing, ever-evolving art.

As both a teacher and artist, Micheline Berry’s work is renowned for catalyzing healing and transformation through a cohesive fusion of vinyasa flow yoga, world beat music, somatic dance, indigenous ritual and multimedia art, within contexts of both urban and exotic natural environments.

Get up and flow: by Lauren Peterson

This playlist is designed to support your asana practice. We start slowly, to bring you into a meditative state. From there we move into fun, energetic songs to build energy and finally the tone quiets down transitioning to savasana.

Lauren Peterson is a well-respected yoga instructor living and teaching in Malibu California. She has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, and teaching since 1992. She had the privilege to study with, and assist, Chuck Miller for over 10 years. Chuck taught her through fourth series in the ashtanga yoga system. She is also playing with the first few poses of fifth series as shown to her by Richard Freeman.

Unexpected Bliss

I had the privilege of attending Wanderlust, Squaw Valley for the second year in a row this year. What an amazing event Wanderlust is to witness…even if you aren’t a yoga enthusiast. There is something for everyone...music, art, dance, yoga, slackline, paddle boarding, good food and amazing connection.

Last year when I attended Wanderlust, I was on the brink of divorce, deciding if I wanted to relocate, sliding into a new life that involved complete independence and surrender. Every class I attended made me weep! My body hurt every single day because of the emotional trauma it was holding onto.

Michelle Schultz: Sunrise Flow

A balanced, open-minded, self-awareness inducing sequence of tracks - Milwaukee style.

Yoga provides me with balance, open mindedness and self-awareness, constantly providing insight to the way I live my life. I am so grateful for the amazing teachers I have been blessed to practice with and continue to learn from.

My goal as a teacher is to provide a dynamic, playful, and physically challenging practice while connecting our movement with breath to find the vibrant awakening of the mind and body, cultivating an inner peace in which can be lived out in our daily lives. Yoga has humbled me and brought so much joy into my life and my hope is that I can transfer this to those I teach.

Here II Here: Always Here

Tribal pop, illuminated rock, and soul-inspired R&B harmonies. A brilliant lyrical feast of peace, awareness, connection, wonder, laughter and divine love...

Deep Beats of Joy: Jennifer Campbell

Jennifer Campbell has been practicing movement arts since she was 6 years old. She came to yoga to renew her spirit after years of dealing with a particularly aggresive case of Crohn’s disease. The practice not only helped her to heal the physical wounds of Crohn’s but also allowed her to deal with another looming issue in her life…her shame and residual self loathing from an eating disorder that had nearly killed her a year before. While the physical manifestation of the disorder were under control the emotional trauma was still alive and well. Yoga helped Jennifer to see through the darkness and empower her mind as well as her body toward healing. In the years to come returning to the mat in times of inner and outer turmoil has been a sanctuary for Jennifer.

When Jennifer decided to take her practice off her own mat and into the community she did so under the skilled and graceful guidance of Jill Sockman 500RYT, owner of Blue Lotus yoga studio in downtown Raleigh. Jill's teachings both on the mat and outside the sacred space of the studio have helped her to tap in to what living a purposeful life truly is. Other teacher of influence include: Carrington Jackson, Heather Tiddens, Warren Grossman, and Kristen Cooper-Gulak. She is additionally inspired by the leaders of Off the Mat Into the World including Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, and Suzanne Sterling who have helped her to create context around using yoga for activism and service.

Jo Tastula: Simmer of Summer Flow

World music lover & deep groove appreciator... Jo has taught musical vinyasa flow in L.A's yoga scene for close to a decade. Her class is eclectic, profoundly rhythmic and heart driven ~ and so are her musical tastes.

Jo is a guiding light who leads by her own inspirational connection to spirit and the creative sacred forces of the divine feminine. Jo, is known for her unique sequencing as passed down through the lineage of yoga master Krishnamacharya. She has appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal, written articles for major health publications and is a featured teacher on VH1's Celebrity Rehab. She teaches locally at the home of Vinyasa Flow ~ Exhale, Center for Sacred Movement in Venice, CA, was a founding teacher at the premier online yoga studio Yogaglo, and leads workshops and retreats both nationally and internationally. To check out here Simmer of Summer Flow click here.

Jeanelle Boyer: Bliss Flow

Designed for a 75 minute vinyasa class, "Bliss Flow" will guide you through a meditative warm-up, gently drawing you inward and back to your light. As the tempo rises, step into the flow and let the music take you into a fluid, blissful, vinyasa practice. The playlist closes with a 15 minute track which is perfect for gentle movement, meditation and a long, blissed-out savasana.

Known for her “contagious joy”, Jeanelle Boyer is a yoga instructor, adventure athlete and lover of all life. Within every person is an eternal well of bliss and love, and Jeanelle desires nothing more than to lead people through uplifting yoga experiences that guide each person back to their light within. As people connect back to that love within, fear melts away and compassion for all beings naturally arises.

Ultimae & Mizoo present: Greenosophy

Ultimae Records and Swedish DJ/taste maker Mizoo have delivered a delicious selection of ambient electronica. We're big fans of both Ultimae Records and Mizoo and hope you find this various artists collection to be a doorway into another world.

Chris Berry

Grammy award winning Chris Berry has spent the last 25 years broadcasting the message of unity and acceptance for all people around the world. Through music, dance and cultural education, Chris continues to share his conscious message with a highly energetic style.

Chris Berry is a master of both mbira (thumb piano) and the ngoma drum, from the Shona people of Southern Africa. He has earned the title of gwenyambira (“one whose music calls the spirits”), a distinction reserved only for those who have achieved the highest fusion of the technical and the magical in Shona music. His record sales have reached platinum album sales in Zimbabwe and Mozambique for his work with the band Panjea.

MC Yogi - Pilgrimage (Another Review)

If you haven't already checked out MC Yogi's latest album, Pilgrimage, do it ASAP. Elizabeth wrote a review some weeks back on his new album, you can check that out here.

You know how sometimes a song gets stuck in your head for way much longer than you'd like it to be? Well, I've been listening to this album on loop for the past few days and ALL night Saturday I had the song Shiva stuck in my head. Sunday morning when I awoke, it was still there and remained drumming through my mind for the rest of the day. I was going crazy. I tried singing other songs to get it out, I tried listening to other songs to drown it out...nothing worked.

Breath of Rama: by Geoffrey Gordon

There is tremendous devotion and dedication heard on Breath of Rama, as well as a deep understanding of the practice of Kirtan. A beautiful chorus of noted singers includes Diana Rogers, Larisa Stow and Uma Reed. Featured throughout is Manose who is known for his work with Deva Premal playing incredible Bansuri flute.

Geoffrey has played tabla and sang alongside Ram Dass, Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Bhagavan Das in many events beginning in the 1970's. Geoffrey has been working in the music business since the early 1970's and shares his spirit as a concert performer, music teacher, producer, studio session player, in the orchestra pit On Broadway and the on the great concert stages of the world. Geoffrey has worked with Walela, Robbie Robertson, Shiva Rea, David Torn, Elliot Goldenthal, Julie Taymor, Carter Burwell, Tulku and many others. He worked with Jai Uttal playing tabla, percussion and singing in kirtans, workshops, and concerts for over a dozen years. Geoffrey performed and recorded on all the Pagan Love Orchestra tours and CDs including Monkey, Beggars and Saints, Shiva Station, Spirit Room, Nectar and the Grammy nominated Mondo Rama.

Janet Stone: Radiant Mom Playlist

For all you Power Moms out there. You know who you are...

In 1996, Janet Stone traveled to India, the birthplace of her grandfather, where she met a powerful yogi and became dedicated to a conscious evolution through yoga. As one of San Francisco’s premiere yoga instructors, Janet blends a wealth of knowledge and yoga experience to create a unique, vigorous-yet-sumptuous approach to Vinyasa yoga that effortlessly melds awareness with movement and breath. She is the creator of Strong Mom Yoga and Five Elements Yoga Teacher Training. Her teaching is accompanied by the vibration of music ranging from hip hop, electronica, rock and world beats to live drumming, didgeridoo, kirtan and DJ's. Janet is known for her powerful acoustic chant offerings. She currently follows the teachings of her two young daughters, India and Lilianna, who shed the light on all things profound and wondrous.

Full Moon Yoga Flow: by Jamie Bechtold

I originally designed this playlist for a juicy full moon hip opening vinyasa flow. The intention is to enjoy the experience of flowing with breath.

My intention is to help people experience more joy in their every day lives. I do this through my passion for sound (especially in the form of gongs) and yoga. I hold sound baths which are concerts with planetary gongs and crystal singing bowls and also combine it with yoga and other healing modalities. I also do private sound healing sessions with gongs, bowls, tuning forks, and voice. I have been doing healing work professionally since 2004 and love every minute of it! I learn more and more every day and am always experimenting and learning new ways that sound can assist in the healing process. I am positive that sound and yoga can help almost everyone live a more joyful, balanced, and peaceful life.

Bhagavan Das: Love Songs to the Dark Lord

Bhagavan Das could just be the Tom Waits of chanting… as with Waits, his style of singing is an acquired taste that grows on you with time. Surrender to it’s oddities and you never know where your mind will end up.

Elena Brower: Your Medicine

The medicinal grooves on this compilation will accompany you for your practice as perfectly as it will join you on a drive, or keep you inspired as your soundtrack on the subway.

Certified Anusara® yoga teacher, founder and co-owner of Virayoga, and Jonah’s mama, Elena's been teaching for 14+ years. She is respected and beloved globally for her powerful teaching, compelling students to integrate yoga practice into the realities of daily life. Elena is also the quintessential multi-hypehnate: teacher, designer, coach, journalist, producer, philanthropist, blogger and entrepreneur. From the Museum of Modern Art to the Great Lawn at Central Park, from the playa at Burning Man to the lawn at the Eiffel Tower, Elena is honoured to offer larger-scale experiences of yoga, but her true service is in shifting awareness within the smallest interactions; one family, one household at a time.She’s been featured in the New York Times, Yoga Journal, the Element Yoga for Beginners DVD series, FitYoga, ABC News, NBC News, and is one of the original teachers on Yogaglo.

Hip Hop is Dead Opus by Darin (aka Freq Nasty)

FREE MIXTAPE (DOWNLOAD) FROM FREQ NASTY

I guess at this point can we all say a big ‘RIP’ to one of the biggest casualties of consumer capitalism in the music world - HipHop. Lost in the superficial haze of money, ego and women hating, the most badass political movement of the last 30 years got eaten up by the consumerist machine and spat out as corporate sponsored cultural advertisements for brands who don’t give a toss about the music or its culture…. and then rappers make tunes about how this is the case… and we buy them. Is it just me that thinks this is weird? It seems Eminem, Jay-Z, Dre and Fiddy agree with me:

Mindful Musicians, Mindful Music: by Bodhiron

In my first blog for YogiTunes, I wrote about how it is possible that music is able to quiet the chatter of mind, although this seems like a paradox on the surface. In the second I explored one widely held theory, that certain frequencies of sound put us in touch with a deeper level of consciousness in and of themselves. Both these posts are still up on the site if readers would like to check them out. In this post I would like to look at a couple of more ideas about how it is music helps us to be mindful in yoga class and elsewhere.

Another answer I like a lot is that the source of awakening comes from within highly developed musicians, who have established themselves deeply in spiritual practice. Through various methods such as meditating, listening to the words of master teachers, studying texts, hatha yoga, etc. these individuals have transformed themselves into clear, pure instruments. They have become very present and have become grounded in source, to use different words to say the same thing. Then when they play music, they communicate or transmit this same connectedness to their listeners. An artist like this might well be able to improvise, as the energy from their deep sense of connectedness is inspiring them in the moment they play, and that deeper creativity might even be said to be playing through the artist. In this case the mind is quiet and has no thoughts about what is being played or that there is even a player or listener.

Movement, Echoes and Awakening Playlist by Bodhiron

This playlist begins softly with the beautiful a cappella voice of Deva Premal slowly and richly chanting a famous verse from the Heart Sutra: Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha. This mantra within the Heart Sutra is said to relate to the Buddha’s experience of enlightenment. It translates roughly as: Gone, Gone, Gone Beyond, Gone Completely Beyond, Hail this great Awakening! It sets an excellent meditative tone for the beginning of a class. By "Gone Beyond" is meant turning the attention away from the distractions of everyday mind and entering into the sacred space that is always available when we go beyond discursive thought.

A slightly more up tempo rhythmic beat from Gabrielle Roth follows, a piece called Prairie Ruin from her album Ritual. Roth composed music for the five tempos of her groundbreaking sacred movement practice she called Sweat Your Prayers. I personally attended these religiously in Portland for quite a while, and probably a million other people as well danced themselves into emptiness of a Sunday morning listening to her songs. The beat of the music and even the title of the album Ritual hint at the possibility of being seized by some archetypal force.

Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits: Nectar of Devotion

This unique recording of World Music perfectly captures the uplifting and energetic atmosphere in which As Kindred Spirits crafts their music. Ancient Indian songs of devotion, with rich ethnic melodies are infused with fresh, Western grooves and modalities, creating tracks that are both hip and inspired.

The music of Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits is like a lotus growing from the mud of American materialism. We are the honeybees swarming to drink the nectar of this flower.

Ball of Waxx: Direct from the underground

Ball of Waxx is a small underground label based out of Los Angeles. Old school friends of the YogiTunes co-founders, they hail from the Moontribe collective. A mysterious tribal force that is a key part of where YogiTunes comes from...

East Star All-Stars: Dubber Side of the Moon

Dub is a blend of chillout and reggae. Perfect for those who like to play Bob Marley in class, and want to explore the genre furtner. This release features remixes from a wide array of dub-a-fied producers. A great way to get turned on to many talented artists at once.

Dana Damara: Manohara surya

Reminding us that we all have that beautiful illumination within us. And once we move and breathe, it comes alive and to the surface.

Dana Damara is a dynamic, inspirational woman who embodies the balance between strength and grace. Combining her life experiences with a dedicated yoga practice, she owns and operates a welcoming yoga studio, facilitates transformative workshops and leads her yoga teacher training/spiritual development program. Author of Oms from the Mat; Dana takes yogic philosophies and translates them so that everyone reading her book can benefit from the power of yoga; whether they practice or not.

CG Deuter: Ocean Waves, Pure Sounds of Relaxation

New Earth records presents an exquisite series of pure Ocean Wave recordings. These elements can be used in class during opening meditation, and savasana. They’re also great for relaxation at home, and for promoting healthy sleep cycles.

Pablo Lucero: Stell*R Yoga Beats

Allow for space to expand in synergy with the power of rhythm. Let go, let flow intuit with soul.

Pablo Lucero was born in Argentina in 1976 and he currently resides in Miami, FL. In 1994 Pablo Lucero began to empower himself through meditation and self awareness while expanding his collection and passion for music. In 2001 Pablo Lucero a/k/a Stell*R began djing an extensive variation of world beats and organic sounds, sprinkled with musical ingredients from the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. He then developed his sound by blending spiritual chants and mantras with house music, channeling universal energy from the dj system right into the listeners soul.

Ravi Shankar & Zakir Hussein: Concert for Peace

Well you can’t go wrong with two timeless masters on one album. On this release, Ravi and Zakir weave an amazing tapestry of classical indian ragas that are guaranteed to make your soul sing. Recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Assisted on sarode by Ravi Shankar’s disciple Partho Sarathy.

MC Yogi: Pilgrimage

MC Yogi is back with another super action packed bhakti-ful release!  This album was inspired by a trip to India on which MC Yogi realized that we all yearn for a spiritual journey or pilgrimage in our lives.  Great record for the soundtrack of your life’s awakening~!

MC Yogi grew up painting graffiti & listening to hip hop. Inspired by artists like The Beastie Boys & Run DMC, he began writing raps & freestyling for friends at house parties. Spending most of high school in a group home for at-risk youth, hip hop culture provided both a soundtrack & a creative outlet. Then at age eighteen, he discovered yoga.

Bija Seeds for the Chakras

I came across a wise message from Dr. Indu Arora in her book Yoga – Ancient Heritage Tomorrow’s Vision. She states, “The teacher always has in mind that teaching is equal to the sowing of seeds. When the time is ripe, the seeds will sprout…”

For me, this means that sometimes as teachers, the knowledge, the information we share may not take root today or even tomorrow, but what we share could impact understanding and yogic progression at an unknown future time. Furthermore, we must not hold back our learning from our students just because it’s not in “popular” form or in line with today’s Yoga hype.

Just the other day, I offered up the Bija (or seed) sounds to a Gentle Yoga class. All were skeptical in the beginning….”You want us to WHAT?!” Yes, chant. We chanted aloud the seed sounds that relate to the chakras to center in and then followed with bija chanting, mentally, during our asana practice. The initial resistance was met with all positive feedback. In the end, the class liked it and everyone practically floated out the class at the end. As with most things, you can never know if you like something until you have tried it.

Sol Tek: Lightscapes I

A Music to stimulate the imagination and nourish the soul

A minor masterpiece (with the emphasis on masterpiece) Soltek’s Lightscapes One makes a great entrance with the ear opener Eye of the World. Just say for the initiated the answer to the riddle of the title Eye of the World, is that Consciousness is the Eye of the World, and that eye of the world is “our” consciousness, that is the ants, humans, tigers, angels and polar bears-all of us living here together. EOTW opens with a brief interlude of paradise-like music suggesting that we are in a garden, but a friendly male voice suddenly announces “ready,set,go” perhaps suggesting that in this half-tech half nature environment there is work to do to get back to the garden. In this track the Sol Tek collective unleashes a cascade of brilliantly funky death ray synth bursts accompanied by a loping beat that shuffles onward to the segue into the next track.

Bija: Soothing Music & Mantras - Todd Norian

"Bija" is a Sanskrit word which means "seed", "source", "original" or "beginning." It refers to the original source of energy, the essence of life. Mantras are sacred sound formulas that carry potent healing energies. As you chant the mantras, this spiritual power is released in the body and experienced as ecstasy. Bija mantras are the seed sounds within each of the seven main chakras (wheels of consciousness) located along the spine in the subtle body. Chanting the bija mantras unlocks the wisdom and magic contained within the chakras bringing a sense of inner joy, peace, and insight. Each chakra has specific qualities that relate to physical, psychological, and spiritual development and evolution.

"Om" is the sound of all sounds and is the original, primordial sound of the universe. Chanting Om brings integration within your own being and reunites you with the bigger energy of spirit.

Sacred Heartbeat: Chloe Park

For all y'all soul dwellers. Deep Bass + Mantra = HEAVEN. Close your eyes and feel it.

Chloe is dedicated to serving the teachings of Yoga to provide fellow seekers with the tools of self healing, growth and unlocking the well of their infinite potential. Also a healing practitioner, her yoga classes incorporate the fundamentals of CranioSacral therapy into the physical practice as well as skeletal alignment and self energetic attunement. Chloe will take you on a journey with her dynamic, heartfelt, engaging way of sharing her own personal practice. Her style evolves as her practice evolves, as she believes in being a student first, teacher second. Her guided mediation classes are available for those who are interested in exploring the more subtler realms of consciousness. All classes are intended to provide for a more neutral and easeful state of being while dancing between the threshold of structure and flow-- not just in the classroom, but more importantly, throughout the course of one’s own life.

Deya Dova: Jasmani Garden

Australian singer Deya Dova uses her voice in the most incredible way.  It’s so unique that you have to listen to it in order to get the transmission…

A stunningly original and experimental vocal looping album, sung in Dey’a own unique language of vowels and syllables. The Jasmani Garden is a mostly acapella offering with sprinklings of ambient sound scapes. The songs journey through flavours from around the globe, traversing tribal chant and trance and resonating with Arabic, African, Asian, Aboriginal and Balkan scales.

"These songs carry the spirit and sensuality of music that is free and fresh.” LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE – JASLYN HALL