singing in the new year
hmmm... what would yoga class be like without music? pretty quiet, i'd say, unless you find yourself practicing to the soothing ocean sounds being made by your fellow yogis and their ujjayi breathing.
while there are many yoga instructors who feel that music is merely a distraction (either that, or they just don't have the time to put together a compilation of songs on a regular basis), i honestly believe that the right music -- be it classical, easy listening, gospel, alternative, or even hip-hop -- if properly selected and sequenced, can provide inspiration to one's practice.
on most yoga teachers' playlists are the devotional chants which are usually played during savasana. while the music may eventually become familiar to most students, the artists behind the music may not. and what's more, these artists frequently go on tour and perform at kirtans around the country... and they actually have groupies! yes, i originally thought the same thing you might be thinking -- why would i want to hang around with a bunch of yoga nerds? the way i look at it, you either like kirtan chanting or you don't (it's kinda like listening to country music). and in my case, i do (both kirtan and country, that is).
so here are the studios where you can be musically inspired and/or have a chance to join your voice with others' (and maybe even mine) in january:
saturday, january 6th:
Invocations of the Ecstatic: Empowered Intentions for the New Year with Seane Corn
12:45pm - 3:45pm
exhale Venice
$45; $40 by 12/31
Join Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling in this special event to explore the art of invocation and conscious intention and plant seeds for this New Year. Using the tools of asana, ritual, singing and prayer we will connect with our deep essence and begin to create intentions that can support us in living authentically in our lives and in the world today. Taking the time to connect within, we can release old patterns that are familiar- but no longer relevant- and begin to cultivate clarity of vision and purpose. When combined with strong intention our daily yoga practice becomes a living prayer and a calling forth of our "souls code", or our unique contribution to the world. Together, in community, we can be inspired and supported to step forward and embody these intentions, and as we invoke the ecstasy that comes from self-knowledge, we can actively ignite these intentions to create positive change within ourselves and, ultimately, in the world in which we live.
Chanting with Steve Ross
8:00 pm
Maha Yoga
By Donation
Begin 2007 in a state of divine bliss. Please join us as Steve Ross leads us through a magical evening of chanting.
Bring a cushion to sit on, wear comfortable clothes and enjoy.
Kirtan Chanting with Govindas & Radha
8:00 - 10:00pm
Santa Monica Power Yoga West
By Donation
Come sing from the deepest corner of your heart!
Bring meditation cushions or blanket (no yoga mat). Wear comfy clothes.
Govindas and Radha are California-based Bhakti yogis and kirtan singers. They are a husband and wife team with great love and devotion for the Divine, their Guru, each other, and life itself. This is the essence which is reflected and transmitted through their music. Through the sacred practice of kirtan, repetitiously chanting the names of God/Goddess from ancient India, they will guide you on a musical meditation and yogic adventure deep into the essence of Bhakti - the yoga of the Heart, the yoga of Love! Through the grace of their teachers, they have uniquely melded ancient Indian mantras with western melodies, yet still playing traditional Indian instruments. Their music has been described as a trance inducing mandala, where organic ambiance, meditation, art, and prayer merge together as One. Their first album "Endless Surrender Kirtan Experience" was released late last year and they are currently working on their second album. They lead evenings of kirtan, Bhakti yoga workshops, and transformative retreats throughout the world.
sunday, january 7th:
Full Moon Flow with Mark Blanchard and Donna De Lory (1/7: does not appear on today's studio schedule; not sure if it's been cancelled)
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Progressive Power Yoga Brentwood
$22 in advance or $25 at the door
Please join us for our monthly full moon Power Yoga class with Mark Blanchard and special guest Donna De Lory for a melodic savasana. Go with the universal flow, and ground yourself with the gravitational pull. This is an experience not to be missed, so reserve your spot early!
Donna De Lory is a singer and songwriter whose voice and lyrics transcend time and genre. Her voice can be heard on albums by Dave Stringer, Carly Simon, Kim Carnes, Santana, Belinda Carlisle, Bette Midler, and is currently a featured vocalist for Madonna's worldwide Confessions tour.
YOGA UNPLUGGED: Flow Yoga with Live Acoustic Music
With Kelly McAndrews and Paul Lemire
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Please note special time for January: one hour earlier due to Yoga Challenge meeting)
$15
Join Kelly for a challenging, all levels flow class accompanied by local singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Lemire. Paul performs his own material, as well as covers of tunes by the likes of Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontagne, Oasis, James Blunt, etc. The perfect way to wind down your week.
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
friday, january 12th:
Universal Peace Chant + Kirtan with Saul David Raye
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
exhale Venice
$15
Happy New Year! Now let's Sing, Dance and Pray for Peace.
Join Saul David Raye and special musical guests for an evening gathering of chanting and meditation. We will chant different mantras for healing, peace and spiritual awakening. Including the Sacred Gayatri mantra "108" times for Universal Peace and personal healing.
50% of the proceeds will go to feeding people in our community.
saturday, january 13th:
Zen Dancing: New Year Celebration & Ritual Meditation with Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland & Shaman's Dream
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
exhale Venice
$15 in advance; $20 at the door
Where ecstatic dance and live world music meet, Zen Dancing® induces peak states of ecstatic embodiment and deep union with the pranic "flow" between dancer and drum, breath and beat. The language of dance is universal and since 1996 Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland and their world ensemble Shaman's Dream have been resurrecting and defining the ritual world dance in Los Angeles, CA. Their live concerts are akin to a world ethnotronica odyssey that will sweep you up in a wave of trance dance marked by the evocative indigenous sounds and deep visionary grooves that have become the signature of their music.
No experience necessary...simply come prepared to move and let the music take you where it will.
Kirtan with David Stringer
8:00 pm
City Yoga
$20
The intention of Kirtan is consciousness transformation~ directing the singers to vanish into the song as rain drops merge into the ocean. The singing of mantras quiet the mind and the music frees the heart. As Dave says, at a kirtan “you’re not just listening to the music, you are the music.“ Dave’s sound marries the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the exuberant, groove-oriented sound of American gospel music.Bring the family. Kids FREE!
friday, january 19th:
Kirtan Chanting With David Newman, aka Durga Das
8:00 pm
Insight Yoga
$15 in advance; $20 at the door
Don’t miss this inspired evening of call and response chanting with renown Kirtan Chant Artist David Newman joined by devotional singer and percussionist MIRA.
David Newman or Durga Das, as he is also known, is a Kirtan Chant Artist and a practitioner and educator of Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of love. David, a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, travels extensively singing Kirtan (Indian devotional chanting) and sharing the spiritual, devotional, meditative and musical aspects of yoga. David’s music, rooted in the ancient yogic tradition of sound as a healing path toward self discovery (Nada Yoga), embodies a devotional mysticism, distinctive musicality, poetic intimacy and a deep respect for India’s ancient chant tradition. His recordings expand the traditional kirtan medium by incorporating a wide range of musical and lyrical elements and by exploring a vast palette of progressive production influences. David has released three CDs, and his latest CD/DVD set “Into the Bliss.” His live kirtans and concerts are joyous, ecstatic, uplifting and exploding with energy. A dedicated Kirtan Troubadour, David tours througout the world with Mira, a celebrated devotional singer, recording artist and percussionist. He is also the author of a book on medication entitled Merging with Grace and the founder of Yoga On Main in Philadelphia.
Soul Flow: Creative Dance with Basia/Haridass Kaur
7:30 pm -9:30 pm
The Awareness Center
$15 or $25/couple
Join Basia for a wholesome and soulful evening! Call forth your playful nature, gain confidence for new adventures with freedom and joy. Move gracefully toward your personal intention.
This fun evening includes creative dancing with a healing journey through the chakras, flowing music to connect you with Universal love, group interaction and playfulness, and a meditative closing circle. A wonderful way to spend an uplifting Friday night!
Basia/Haridass is a Reiki/Sekhem energy practitioner, teaching Kundalini Yoga since 1999. She tunes into you energy, guiding you with visualizations that lift your vibrational field. In effect, you lovingly create your ultimate dreams from the heart.
sunday, january 21st:
CD Release Kirtan with David Newman, aka Durga Das
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Rising Lotus Yoga
$18 in advance, $20 at the door
Join David Newman for an evening of Ecstatic Kirtan and and help celebrate his release of his new CD/DVD project "Into the Bliss". Kirtan is a group gathering where sacred mantras are sung together in a call and response style. It is a unique concert setting where music and singing are treated as meditation and the audience is as much a part of the band as the band members themselves. All throughout the country the awareness of this ancient practice is growing. David Newman or Durga Das, as he is also known, is a Kirtan Chant Artist, singer songwriter and a practitioner and educator of Bhakti Yoga - the yoga of love. David travels extensively singing Kirtan (Indian devotional chanting) and sharing the spiritual, devotional, meditative and musical aspects of yoga. David's music embodies a devotional mysticism, distinctive musicality, poetic intimacy and a deep respect for India's ancient chant tradition. His recordings expand the traditional Kirtan medium by incorporating a wide range of musical and lyrical elements and by exploring a vast palette of progressive production influences.
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
sunday, january 28th:
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
while there are many yoga instructors who feel that music is merely a distraction (either that, or they just don't have the time to put together a compilation of songs on a regular basis), i honestly believe that the right music -- be it classical, easy listening, gospel, alternative, or even hip-hop -- if properly selected and sequenced, can provide inspiration to one's practice.
on most yoga teachers' playlists are the devotional chants which are usually played during savasana. while the music may eventually become familiar to most students, the artists behind the music may not. and what's more, these artists frequently go on tour and perform at kirtans around the country... and they actually have groupies! yes, i originally thought the same thing you might be thinking -- why would i want to hang around with a bunch of yoga nerds? the way i look at it, you either like kirtan chanting or you don't (it's kinda like listening to country music). and in my case, i do (both kirtan and country, that is).
so here are the studios where you can be musically inspired and/or have a chance to join your voice with others' (and maybe even mine) in january:
saturday, january 6th:
Invocations of the Ecstatic: Empowered Intentions for the New Year with Seane Corn
12:45pm - 3:45pm
exhale Venice
$45; $40 by 12/31
Join Seane Corn and Suzanne Sterling in this special event to explore the art of invocation and conscious intention and plant seeds for this New Year. Using the tools of asana, ritual, singing and prayer we will connect with our deep essence and begin to create intentions that can support us in living authentically in our lives and in the world today. Taking the time to connect within, we can release old patterns that are familiar- but no longer relevant- and begin to cultivate clarity of vision and purpose. When combined with strong intention our daily yoga practice becomes a living prayer and a calling forth of our "souls code", or our unique contribution to the world. Together, in community, we can be inspired and supported to step forward and embody these intentions, and as we invoke the ecstasy that comes from self-knowledge, we can actively ignite these intentions to create positive change within ourselves and, ultimately, in the world in which we live.
Chanting with Steve Ross
8:00 pm
Maha Yoga
By Donation
Begin 2007 in a state of divine bliss. Please join us as Steve Ross leads us through a magical evening of chanting.
Bring a cushion to sit on, wear comfortable clothes and enjoy.
Kirtan Chanting with Govindas & Radha
8:00 - 10:00pm
Santa Monica Power Yoga West
By Donation
Come sing from the deepest corner of your heart!
Bring meditation cushions or blanket (no yoga mat). Wear comfy clothes.
Govindas and Radha are California-based Bhakti yogis and kirtan singers. They are a husband and wife team with great love and devotion for the Divine, their Guru, each other, and life itself. This is the essence which is reflected and transmitted through their music. Through the sacred practice of kirtan, repetitiously chanting the names of God/Goddess from ancient India, they will guide you on a musical meditation and yogic adventure deep into the essence of Bhakti - the yoga of the Heart, the yoga of Love! Through the grace of their teachers, they have uniquely melded ancient Indian mantras with western melodies, yet still playing traditional Indian instruments. Their music has been described as a trance inducing mandala, where organic ambiance, meditation, art, and prayer merge together as One. Their first album "Endless Surrender Kirtan Experience" was released late last year and they are currently working on their second album. They lead evenings of kirtan, Bhakti yoga workshops, and transformative retreats throughout the world.
sunday, january 7th:
Full Moon Flow with Mark Blanchard and Donna De Lory (1/7: does not appear on today's studio schedule; not sure if it's been cancelled)
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Progressive Power Yoga Brentwood
$22 in advance or $25 at the door
Please join us for our monthly full moon Power Yoga class with Mark Blanchard and special guest Donna De Lory for a melodic savasana. Go with the universal flow, and ground yourself with the gravitational pull. This is an experience not to be missed, so reserve your spot early!
Donna De Lory is a singer and songwriter whose voice and lyrics transcend time and genre. Her voice can be heard on albums by Dave Stringer, Carly Simon, Kim Carnes, Santana, Belinda Carlisle, Bette Midler, and is currently a featured vocalist for Madonna's worldwide Confessions tour.
YOGA UNPLUGGED: Flow Yoga with Live Acoustic Music
With Kelly McAndrews and Paul Lemire
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Please note special time for January: one hour earlier due to Yoga Challenge meeting)
$15
Join Kelly for a challenging, all levels flow class accompanied by local singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Lemire. Paul performs his own material, as well as covers of tunes by the likes of Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontagne, Oasis, James Blunt, etc. The perfect way to wind down your week.
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
friday, january 12th:
Universal Peace Chant + Kirtan with Saul David Raye
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
exhale Venice
$15
Happy New Year! Now let's Sing, Dance and Pray for Peace.
Join Saul David Raye and special musical guests for an evening gathering of chanting and meditation. We will chant different mantras for healing, peace and spiritual awakening. Including the Sacred Gayatri mantra "108" times for Universal Peace and personal healing.
50% of the proceeds will go to feeding people in our community.
saturday, january 13th:
Zen Dancing: New Year Celebration & Ritual Meditation with Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland & Shaman's Dream
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
exhale Venice
$15 in advance; $20 at the door
Where ecstatic dance and live world music meet, Zen Dancing® induces peak states of ecstatic embodiment and deep union with the pranic "flow" between dancer and drum, breath and beat. The language of dance is universal and since 1996 Micheline Berry, Craig Kohland and their world ensemble Shaman's Dream have been resurrecting and defining the ritual world dance in Los Angeles, CA. Their live concerts are akin to a world ethnotronica odyssey that will sweep you up in a wave of trance dance marked by the evocative indigenous sounds and deep visionary grooves that have become the signature of their music.
No experience necessary...simply come prepared to move and let the music take you where it will.
Kirtan with David Stringer
8:00 pm
City Yoga
$20
The intention of Kirtan is consciousness transformation~ directing the singers to vanish into the song as rain drops merge into the ocean. The singing of mantras quiet the mind and the music frees the heart. As Dave says, at a kirtan “you’re not just listening to the music, you are the music.“ Dave’s sound marries the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the exuberant, groove-oriented sound of American gospel music.Bring the family. Kids FREE!
friday, january 19th:
Kirtan Chanting With David Newman, aka Durga Das
8:00 pm
Insight Yoga
$15 in advance; $20 at the door
Don’t miss this inspired evening of call and response chanting with renown Kirtan Chant Artist David Newman joined by devotional singer and percussionist MIRA.
David Newman or Durga Das, as he is also known, is a Kirtan Chant Artist and a practitioner and educator of Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of love. David, a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba, travels extensively singing Kirtan (Indian devotional chanting) and sharing the spiritual, devotional, meditative and musical aspects of yoga. David’s music, rooted in the ancient yogic tradition of sound as a healing path toward self discovery (Nada Yoga), embodies a devotional mysticism, distinctive musicality, poetic intimacy and a deep respect for India’s ancient chant tradition. His recordings expand the traditional kirtan medium by incorporating a wide range of musical and lyrical elements and by exploring a vast palette of progressive production influences. David has released three CDs, and his latest CD/DVD set “Into the Bliss.” His live kirtans and concerts are joyous, ecstatic, uplifting and exploding with energy. A dedicated Kirtan Troubadour, David tours througout the world with Mira, a celebrated devotional singer, recording artist and percussionist. He is also the author of a book on medication entitled Merging with Grace and the founder of Yoga On Main in Philadelphia.
Soul Flow: Creative Dance with Basia/Haridass Kaur
7:30 pm -9:30 pm
The Awareness Center
$15 or $25/couple
Join Basia for a wholesome and soulful evening! Call forth your playful nature, gain confidence for new adventures with freedom and joy. Move gracefully toward your personal intention.
This fun evening includes creative dancing with a healing journey through the chakras, flowing music to connect you with Universal love, group interaction and playfulness, and a meditative closing circle. A wonderful way to spend an uplifting Friday night!
Basia/Haridass is a Reiki/Sekhem energy practitioner, teaching Kundalini Yoga since 1999. She tunes into you energy, guiding you with visualizations that lift your vibrational field. In effect, you lovingly create your ultimate dreams from the heart.
sunday, january 21st:
CD Release Kirtan with David Newman, aka Durga Das
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Rising Lotus Yoga
$18 in advance, $20 at the door
Join David Newman for an evening of Ecstatic Kirtan and and help celebrate his release of his new CD/DVD project "Into the Bliss". Kirtan is a group gathering where sacred mantras are sung together in a call and response style. It is a unique concert setting where music and singing are treated as meditation and the audience is as much a part of the band as the band members themselves. All throughout the country the awareness of this ancient practice is growing. David Newman or Durga Das, as he is also known, is a Kirtan Chant Artist, singer songwriter and a practitioner and educator of Bhakti Yoga - the yoga of love. David travels extensively singing Kirtan (Indian devotional chanting) and sharing the spiritual, devotional, meditative and musical aspects of yoga. David's music embodies a devotional mysticism, distinctive musicality, poetic intimacy and a deep respect for India's ancient chant tradition. His recordings expand the traditional Kirtan medium by incorporating a wide range of musical and lyrical elements and by exploring a vast palette of progressive production influences.
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
sunday, january 28th:
Golden Bridge Community Choir, led by Maggie Wheeler and Emile Hassan Dyer
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Golden Bridge Yoga
$12/drop-in or $120 for all 12 sessions
Join us in the ancient tradition of community building through song as we explore rhythms, harmonies, chants and songs from around the world.
You will learn songs from Asia, West Africa, Australia (Aboriginal), Russia, South Africa, along with Spirituals, Gospel, along with various forms of vocal percussion, in a fun and non-threatening environment.
The energy that comes from making music together will stay with you! The harmonies we create will echo in your hearts.
Come raise your voices with us, you will be amazed at the beauty of our song!
Newcomers and beginners are welcome! No sight reading is necessary. This is an Inclusive, Non-Auditioned choir.
posted by joni at 8:28 AM
2 Comments:
my studio doesn't often use music, except at the beginning and end of class. However, during today's super-intense forrest sesh, the teacher put on the theme from "Flashdance". Awesome.
flashdance?! i don't think i've ever been in a class that's played that before... i can only imagine how intense your class must have been! if it's in LA, i'd love to try it out :)
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