Amazon | iTunes | Nutone Music Store
Amazon | iTunes | Nutone Music Store
I am a mantra or kirtan musician. Kirtan is yoga chanting. Mantras are the repetitions of words and chants. The combination of music, rhythms, mantras, and chants stills your mind, dissolves your worries, and opens your heart. When I chant, I also play guitar, harmonium, or djembe, and often work with other musicians on tabla or percussion instruments. I grew up playing music, took piano lessons for many years, and added guitar and djembe when I was 18. Then I traveled extensively around the world, visiting India four times. It was there that I began to practice bhakti nada yoga (using sound as a path to spiritual fulfillment) and fell in love with kirtan, an ancient musical art form. Now Im a believer in the spiritual power of sound. ** My travels and experiences inspired me to create my first kirtan CD in 2004, "Sargam: Scales of Music." In 2005-2006 I led a yoga pilgrimage around the world for Lululemon, stopping in cities overseas as well as in the U.S. and Canada for kirtans and bliss dances. This year (2007), Nettwerk Records signed me to their label for a new CD to be released May 1st, called "Strong As Diamonds: Om Vajra Kaya Namaha." I'm also a yoga instructor and therapist, and do workshops, retreats, and conferences around the world, along with the kirtan and bliss dance events. One of the biggest influences in my life is my twin sister, singer Alanis Morissette. ** As we sing with heart and intention to Hanumana (The great monkey god): Jai Jai Hanumana, Jai Jai Mahavira, Jai Jai Hanumana, Jaya Sita Rama Bolo. ** Translation: Praise to Hanumana, who symbolized leaps or faith and courage in our lives. Praise to Sita and Rama, the lovers brought back together with the help of Hanumana, symbolizing a continuous intention to re-connecting to spirit and joy everyday through our spiritual practices.
