Sound it Out

While I adore having sound in my yoga practice, I'm not a huge fan of practicing to music (although I must admit that one of the most fun classes I've ever attended featured live drumming as an accompaniment to the yoga). For me, the music can be a bit distracting. Yet making sounds during my practice is another thing entirely. Sounding or chanting doesn't seem to pull my focus away from my experience during my practice the way music does. Somehow it enhances the experience by making my focus even sharper.

Years ago I went to my first Kundalini yoga class and found myself loving the gong meditation portion of the class. Lying in savasana with the sound of the gong crashing over me like waves in the ocean felt...healing. I could feel the vibration echo throughout my body as my body melted into the floor relaxed yet energized. It's perfectly described in this Kundalini Yoga FAQ:

Because The Gong contains every vibration its sounds literally cancel out your thought waves and allow you to completely relax very deeply and quickly. Since your body is open from the yoga and breath, the mind is overcome and relaxed by the gong. This allows your higher nature, or soul to come to the forefront and that magnifies the intent you've set for yourself. Just ask anyone who's experienced it and they'll tell you it 's the ultimate reset button!

As my enjoyment of sound continued, I purchased a variety of Tibetan Singing Bowls. I began placing the bowls on my solar plexus and chest as I sounded them so that I could feel the sound vibrations ripple through my body. The experience became a pleasure of sound and feeling that I often incorporate into my practice. It's become one of my favorite ways to enhance my savasana.

If you'd like to incorporate sound into your yoga practice or you'd just like to cultivate your appreciation of sound and expand your hearing pleasure, here are some resources for you:

• A few weeks ago, I posted about this very topic -- sound -- in Tranquilista, Kimberly Wilson's blog. Click here to read it and to get access to a variety of wonderful resources to enhance your sense of hearing.
• Click here for a beginner's guide of chants that you can easily incorporate into your yoga practice.
• Click here for two wonderful yoga sound meditations complete with breathing techniques. They're the perfect ending for your yoga practice -- or for any time you're feeling the need for a little rejuvenation. 

If you'd like to show your support for the wonderful sounds of Kirtan, the ever-talented Girish is looking for a few generous angels to help him create his forthcoming album, Diamonds in the Sun. There are a variety of donation levels that fit every budget:

$9 - Angel:
A digital download of the CD, weeks before the release date.
 
$18 - ArchAngel:
Advance copy of the CD, weeks before the release date.

$36 - Pewter Angel:
All of the above, plus a thank you on the GirishMusic.com website.
 
$108- Copper Angel:
All the above, plus a tour t-shirt and a tour kleen kanteen water bottle.
 
There are other levels available, as well as other payment methods. Email or call (virginia@girishmusic.com, 310-488-1847) for more details and/or to pay by credit card or for details on sending a check. 

Another example of the healing power of sound comes from one of my favorite drummers, KDZ. They recently released a fabulous track from which all proceeds will go to Haitian Relief. To listen to a snippet of the track and/or purchase and at the same time help a worthy cause, click here. You can download the track for only 99 cents (or more if you'd like to donate extra funds to the effort).

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And on a totally unrelated note -- here's an update on the Yoga for NY efforts:

The vote in the NYS Senate Higher Education Committee was a unanimous "YES" in support of S5701A - protecting yoga teacher training from burdensome and unnecessary government regulation and licensing.

Namaste!

Comments

[Sand Sock Girl]

I also make sounds while practicing yoga. I'm used to it and much comfortable when I make sounds. Thanks for sharing!

[Andy]

I find that the sound of my ujai breath helps immensely with balance.

[Sound Travels]

Interesting article..you may be interested in our shop, which has a wide range of meditation, sound therapy tools and Tibetan, Himalayan and crystal singing bowls

[Tiffany Cantrell]

Interesting, I too follow Kimberly's blog. I suppose you are one of her guest bloggers, so cool. I love sound in yoga, but depending on my mood sometimes I like silence better. It is always nice to read others thoughts and get more information and resources. Thanks for sharing.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1451470012]

I keep want to start this comment with ‘good’ or ‘nice’ or ‘great’ but none of these seems strong enough, or appropriate enough for what you just posted.Just fantastic and mindblowing blog keep it up..!!!

[Ambily]

Namaste!
Could you advise how to chose the right sounding singing bowls. I have three bowls which give three different pitch sound. And all of them are amazing. But is there some thing like the right pitch for a person or a situation.
Thanks in advance.