a rising kirtan artist

in my last post, i talked about kirtan artist david newman, also known as durga das, founder of yoga on main in philadelphia. through the years, david built up a following, first among the yogis in his hometown, then across the country, all the way to the west coast, where i first attended one of his kirtans almost two years ago.

somehow i'd like to think that a similar fate -- and fame -- will come to daniel stewart, an LA-based yoga teacher, co-founder of rising lotus yoga in sherman oaks. besides leading regular monthly donation-based kirtans at rising lotus, he's led chants at santa monica yoga (where he also teaches), and santa monica power yoga.

this friday, he's taking his show on the road, so to speak, to yoga blend in burbank. he'll have his usual posse with him: larry klein and steve hartman on percussion, sarah bergman and sylvie scoville on vocals, abby scoville on cello, and dave watts on bass. and of course, daniel on harmonium and lead vocals.

i plan on being there to support him and his friends; i hope you'll be able to join us, too.

here's the event write-up from the yoga blend website:

Acoustic Kirtan with Daniel Stewart and Friends
Yoga Blend, Burbank
Friday, November 21st from 8:30pm-10:30pm
$15 in advance, $20 day of

"We meditate, we practice yoga, we sing in the shower, in the car, and in the yoga room, in order to quite our minds and return to a joyful, feeling of oneness. We know in our hearts that our happiness isn’t reliant on our name, our job, or the lists we need to finish. We can sense that our singing is a call to our soul; a reminder of our limitless connection to the internal and a celebration of the love that flows in all of us."

Join Daniel Stewart, Larry Klein on percussion, and special musical guests for an evening of call and response chanting. No experience necessary. Just a willingness to open your heart and surrender to the blissful flow.

Co-owner and founder of Rising Lotus, Daniel is dedicated to the practice of being fully alive in each moment. His playful, heart-centered teaching, combines alignment, meditative breath, and spirit in vigorous vinyasa-flow classes that encourage reconnection to Self, renewal and joy. He incorporates eastern philosophy, depth psychology, poetry and laughter to create a stimulating environment where students can release physically, quieting their minds to experience a deep sense of peace and well-being.

Daniel shares his life long love of music by leading Kirtan at the studio every 2nd Friday and at studios around town. Daniel's kirtan is a unique blend of western soul and jazz style improvisation with authentic Sanskrit mantras. The joy he feels singing is evident in the energy that grows in the room and the heart opening often experienced by participants. He believes that together, the musicians and the audience find union as they create an ecstatic experience of blissful music and deep mediation.