I Won't Grow Up, sung by the Munchkins

Here are my nieces (and well, my sis, my mom and I), singing from Peter Pan. Because hey, I think we all feel like this sometimes. I Won’t Grow Up with the nieces

Live from New York with Chrissy Carter: Gayatri Mantra

On my latest trip to New York City, I had the privilege of assisting Chrissy Carter in the Yoga Works Teacher Training. In addition to being a superb instructor, Chrissy has a gorgeous voice. On the last day of the training, we recorded a few of her favorite chants, which I later converted into a […]

The Munchkins sing

Here are my two nieces (4-years-old and 5-years-old) singing some of their favorite songs. Kids singing

The devil is in the details

So for that past few years I’ve been practicing ashtanga. Flow, flow, breath, breath. There is a cycle and rhythm to the practice. You move. You keep going. You jump around. You breath some more. But here I am visiting my old Yoga Works crew. And they study Iyengar. See, in the yoga world, there […]

Wherever you go, there you are…

New York City has chilled out. People on the street are less hurried, the traffic flows sedately, the line at Zabar’s is leisurely. There is time to nod and smile at fellow customers without feeling that everyone is clawing for the front of the line. Even on the subway, a civilized distance is observed between […]

Learning to Ride a Bike

A couple weeks ago, I put my car into storage and started riding my bike.  Now, I am not what you’d call a good bike rider.  My ass hurts, my thighs ache, and grease somehow gets smeared all over my calves.    Small children on tricycles pass me on the street. While my body may be […]

In the face of anxiety…

Last week, I took a roadtrip with my boyfriend. He struggles with anxiety and is working towards flying on planes. In the meantime, we drive. He hasn’t been to Los Angeles for several years, so this was a pretty significant adventure.  The prospect of leaving terra firma and adventuring into the wilds of the United […]

Om Shanti

Shanti means “peace.” This chant feels full of yearning and sadness to me, as most of us are when we’re struggling to find shanti. Om Shanti

Ganesh

I had a crazy inspiration for this song. But who wouldn’t expect The Great Removal of Obstacles to have a great sense of humor? I had way too much fun with this one. Ganesha

Amazing Grace

This is one of my father’s favorite song. During one of my visits home, I corralled him into the bathroom and made him sing it with me for posterity. My father was the one who taught me how to harmonize (or at least, how to try!) when I was little. Amazing Grace

Calling The Elements

Circle of Soul taught me this song back in New York City. We would improvise the harmony lines together so the song was different every time. I recorded this in a fantastically resonate shower. Calling The Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Water

Ajna Chakra: Light

Ajna Chakra, located at the third eye center, opens us to element of light.  In addition to literally seeing, this chakra draws us into the power of visualization, imagination, and abstraction.  We literally connect to a higher frequency (Vishuddha was the frequency of sound, Ajna of light) and our experience moves further beyond the tangible […]

Om Nama Shivaya

I learned this chant while on a yoga retreat from my friend Julie Blumenthal, who has the most marvelous voice.  I created the hamony line myself.  This was recorded in a bathroom with kick ass acoustics.  Om Nama Shivaya

Om Guru

Guru – the dispeller of darkness.  It’s a wonderful song for the wintery time of year! I originally sang this song with the musical group, Circle of Soul in New York City. I learned both the melody and harmony line with these fantastic ladies. Om Guru

Vishuddha Chakra: Space

The link from the heart chakra to the more etheric upper chakras, Vishuddha (the throat chakra) is the center of conscious communication.  Like the second chakra, Vishuddha is a creative nexus.  However, unlike the unconscious, earthy, and sensuous energy of Svadisthana, Vishuddha’s creativity is connected to our higher consciousness.  Through its power, we literally express […]

Anahata Chakra: Air

What more appropriate chakra to explore on Valentine’s Week than the heart chakra? We are all familiar with the sensations of the heart.  Almost everyone can relate when someone says that they feel ”light-hearted” or that they have a “heavy heart.”  In this way, the sensations of the heart chakra are some of the most […]

Manipura Chakra: Fire

Manipura Chakra is the seat of the ego and self-definition.  Its element is fire and it the seat of the ego.  Too much fire breeds anger, aggression, over-assertion; too little fire and we are not able to create boundaries, self-determine, or speak our minds. A healthy third chakra is marked by empowerment.  When we are […]

Svadisthana Chakra: Water

As we move into the second chakra, life starts getting juicy.  Now that our primal survival needs have been addressed, we move into the realm of feelings, pleasure, creativity, and sexuality. To paraphrase Anodea Judith, we are creating a container in the first chakra…and in the second chakra we fill this container with fluid and […]

Muladhara Chakra: Earth

Can we be strong without being rigid?  Can we own our own space without being overbearing?  Is our relationship with our body healthy? These are just a few of the issues encompassed by our first chakra. Located at the base of the spine, muladhara chakra is the “root” of the chakra system.  Like the foundation […]