Thanks to Sean Johnson, Founder of Wild Lotus Yoga studio in New Orleans, who collaborated closely with Putumayo on this project and provided this blog post.
Yoga is Putumayo's first CD release featuring songs selected to accompany yoga practice and serve as a relaxing soundtrack for daily life. Rooted in ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, the practice of yoga has evolved over the past 5,000 years. Adopted by millions of people around the world, yoga provides a vehicle for greater health and spiritual awareness. Music has long had a close relationship with yoga, particularly in the Bhakti tradition, which incorporates musical chants into its practice.With his extensive background as a yoga instructor and musician, Sean Johnson, founder of Wild Lotus Yoga studio in New Orleans, collaborated closely with Putumayo on this project. Combining songs used in his classes with Putumayo's global research, Yoga creates a musical flow that works as well during yoga practice as at home for meditation or relaxation. Sean's expansive liner notes, which include a glossary of yoga terms, will help people better understand the practice of yoga and its relationship to music.
Here is just a sampling of the renowned musicians from around the world who are featured on Yoga. British-born, South Indian artist Susheela Raman duets with Kenyan singer Ayub Ogada on the harmonious "O Rama." Krishna Das, who is the best-known US performer of traditional Indian kirtan-style music, demonstrates call-and-response chanting on "Hanuman Baba (Dub Farm Remix)." Costa Rican group Amounsulu create a serene atmosphere by blending sitars and glass bottles on the song "El Bosque Eterno de los Niños (Children's Eternal Rainforest)." Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band are known for their beautiful, melodic chanting as displayed on "Om Hari Om/Sharanam Ganesha (Refuge)."On "Bolo Ram" celebrated western devotional musician Wah! sings a tranquil verse that is believed to bring bliss to all who chant it. Download "Bolo Ram" now.Note: you can simply listen online using the player below, or you can "right click" to download the mp3 file.Want more? Pick up Yoga, now available in Whole Foods Market stores. Downward facing dog, anyone?
