Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe will be playing, making peace and inspiring the crowd to groove and dance at Urban Yoga in Palm Springs on Saturday, October 11, 7:30 P.M. Urban Yoga Center, 458 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA. urbanyoga.org
Following Sound into Silence By Kailash (Kurt A. Bruder, PhD, M.Ed), Hay House, 2008
Why Chant? Kailash, aka Kurt Bruder a scholar and teacher in communication and psychology, and an enthusiastic student of Bhagavan Das, has an answer: “Not only does chanting quiet our minds, it also helps us forget our troubles; produces a sense of connection with others; and fosters a wealth of positive feelings such as serenity, lightness and joy.” This beautifully easy-to-read guide to a deeply emotional practice of yoga through chant provides inspiring motivation and convincing reasons to open your heart and voice. Chanting can literally help change our minds. And as Kailash says, “Singing love songs to your highest ideals helps align your heart and mind with the beloved.” In the book, he describes 15 mantra (sacred verses) complete with pronunciation meaning. Beginning with Om, the sacred sound that encompasses all mantra, he also includes: Om Mani Padme Hung, the jewel in the lotus, evoking compassion; as well as mantra for self-love, healing and learning life lessons. The attached companion CD features Kailash’s melodic voice and musical accompaniment.omkailash.com or hayhouse.com. –– FMT
The Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the sacred art of chanting By Steven Rosen, Folk Books, 2008
Chanting and singing sacred music is a form of devotional surrender that anyone can practice anywhere. Yet there has been an undeniable influence on the popularity of sacred music by the musicians who tirelessly sing, record and travel the world spreading the love. In The Yoga of Kirtan, Steven Rosen has collected an extremely comprehensive collection of interviews with these modern-day madrigals who have revolutionized today’s experience of sacred music. Rosen, also known as Satyaraja Dasa, is a prolific writer, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vaishana Studies and a devotee of the sacred art of chant. In this entertaining collection, he interviews 21 sacred artists including: Krishna Das, Dave Stringer, Snatam Kaur, Karnamrita Dasi, David Newman, Sean Johnson, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal and Miten as well as several noted lyrical devotees of Krishna from the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKON). He ends the collection with a discussion of the meaning and power of Om. The accompanying CD features newly mixed tunes from the interviewees including a previously unreleased live performance by the well-traveled and well-loved Krishna Das. Find out more at: yogaofkirtan.com. –– FMT
By Felicia M. Tomasko, RN
