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Nov. 19, 2009
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Yoga/Chi Kung/Energy Practice Review
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This is a review of some of the practices we covered at the Comfort Zone Yoga Center in Delaware -- a fantastic place to practice yoga! I'll be teaching these practices and more at my last workshop of the year, Balancing the Chakras: The Seven Steps to Healing at Kripalu Dec. 6 - 11, in Lenox, MA. These are the energy practices that underlie all my drumming.
I'll also be teaching my last drumming workshop of this year, The Healing Power of Drumming, Ritual and Chanting at Kripalu Dec. 4 - 6.
Teaching these two workshops is the perfect way to end my year and prepare for a new one!
In a few days I will send out a review of the material I taught at the Percussive Arts Society International Conference for my clinic, Fusing Mediterranean and Brazilian Rhythms. It is much the same material I sent out in the last e-letter (archive link here) but with more info!
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Nada Yoga: the Yoga of Sound
From the book/CD, Chakra Meditation by Layne Redmond
It
is an ancient thought that rhythmic sound is the source of all creation and
sacred music is a projection of an inner and transcendent power. In India the influence of rhythm and
tuning on consciousness has been explored for thousands of years and is
considered a form of yoga -- Nada Yoga.
At the basis of Nada Yoga practices is ritualized, rhythmic speech. Through the repetition of certain
sounds, the practitioner creates vibratory rhythms within the body
that energize the
brain and the nervous system. The
sequence of syllables used is called a mantra.
The primary
concept of nada yoga is that ultimate reality emanates from a primordial first
sound, the pulse, or big bang that creates the universe. The frequencies of
this root vibration create our physical world. As human beings, we are also
emanations of this vibration and subject to the laws of sound. This archetypal
pulse of consciousness vibrates within us as the sound of our own heart
beating. The mind and body throb to this constant rhythm of the life force. In
nada yoga, the practitioner seeks communion with this pulsing vibration behind
all sound--known as
the bindu the seed
from which reality springs. The bindu is the heartbeat behind all heartbeats.
The
sound of the drum has represented this primordial pulse of creation since the
beginning of human ritual. All drumming echoes this cosmic beat along with the
first sound we hear in the womb--the pulse of our mother's blood. Our bodies
and consciousness took form to this sound. This powerful pulse draws us back to
our earliest stirrings of awareness and is why drumming has been used in
shamanistic, religious and transformative rites since Paleolithic times. The
power of rhythmic sound returns us to the pre-socialized and unconditioned
state of awareness we experienced in the womb.
The
rhythmic repetition of sacred sounds in the form of mantras, energizes, and
transforms the vibrational level of the body, brain, and nervous system.
Mantras are written in Sanskrit, the religious script of India and one of the
roots of Indo-European languages. It is an old and universal thought that the
light of the Divine takes the form of sacred letters and then speaks through
the power of holy words.
The
50 seed sounds of the Sanskrit alphabet pulse from the cosmic drum of Shiva the
ancient god of India who drums and dances the world into being. Known as bija mantras they are eternal, conscious,
living sounds--serving as the root elements of speech and expressing the structure
of consciousness. Through the power of words and language, we are able to
think, communicate, and construct our reality.
The
power of each seed sound affects the unconscious contents of the mind at the
deepest levels. Each bija mantra possesses its own particular trans-formative
power and represents an elemental force of creation, the power of Kundalini
Shakti. Shiva is the the void, the
source of creation, while Shakti is the sound of creation, the power. Shiva and
Shakti embody archetypal concepts of the duality of existence, the two
principles of creation, such as yin and yang, male and female, positive and
negative, mental and physical.
Before
creation, Shiva and Shakti are united in a matrix of undifferentiated
consciousness. As the first sound occurs--the first stroke on Shiva's
drum--Shakti separates from Shiva in the form of the 50 seed sounds, and
creation begins. As she moves away from Shiva, she creates the six dimensions
of reality embodied in the six chakras.
Chakra, a word
from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, translates as circle, wheel, or
movement. The chakras are intersections of energy and consciousness located
along the cerebrospinal system from the upper brain to the base of the spine.
These dimensions of subtle energies are integrated with the brain and nervous
system--affecting our physical, mental, and emotional bodies. The level of
energy and rate of vibrations of the chakras determines our physical
appearance, personality, and emotional states.
This PDF contains more info on the chakras and bija syllables and their relationship to the chakras. CHANTING THE CHAKRAS is one of Layne's most popular cds.
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GOLDEN LOTUS YOGA/CHI KUNG REVIEW
I always open all my drumming or yoga retreats with a walking and breathing meditation, called Being in Rhythm. It's the most powerful way to create a syncronized and entrained group anchored in their bodies and ready to learn drumming or yoga!
As we walk, we do the cross stepping: on a count of four, step right on one, then cross the left foot
in front of the right foot for two, then the left foot to the left side
for three and the right foot crosses in front of the left foot for four. Crossing the center line of the body creates more coherence between the
two hemispheres of the brain and dramatically speeds up our learning
time.
We breath in for four counts and then out for four counts.
And we focus on the 6 energy centers in the body known as the chakras: the center of the head, the throat, the heart, the navel area, the lower abdomen and the base of the spine. This practice can go from 15 minutes to 45 minutes and at the end of that time I have a relaxed, entrained group firmly in their bodies!!
This practice, titled Breath of the Chakras, is on my cd, Chakra Breathing Meditations. Normally when I'm teaching a drumming group, I don't even use the word chakra, I just ask participants to put their hand over their throat, heart, solar plexus, etc.
And while we are on the topic, let me say, that it doesn't matter to me whether the chakras are "real" or not. This body of yogic wisdom is an amazingly powerful symbolic system, tested and used for thousands of years to enable us to understand how the conscious and less conscious parts of the mind work and to also understand how our mind/body functions energetically.
Pranayama Breathing Practices:
These are the traditional rhythmic breathing practices of yoga. There's so much to be said about pranayama that I will save a detailed description for another e-letter!
But here's a simple explanation of pranayama:
On the air rides the life force known as prana or you could think of it as chi from the Asian traditions. This infinite and all-pervading creative energy of the universe animates the mind and body. Pranayama practices generate and store pranic energy along with oxygen in the mind/body complex. This charged and stored prana can then fuel self-development, healing emotional and physical imbalances or you can use it to drive and expand the effects of your drumming!
I cover basic pranayama practices in Chakra Breathing Meditations and also in the book/cd, Chakra Meditations.
For a detailed traditional look at pranayama and the many different forms of it, visit the site of Swami Sivananda who was the guru of my main teacher -- Swami Bua.
We practiced Bhramari Pranayama:
Bhramari is a pranayama breathing exercise derived from the buzzing of
bees which vibrates and realigns the entire nervous system, brain and body by
buzzing the vocal chords. Bhramari is traditionally recommended for reproductive and endocrine health for men
and women of all ages. Bhramari is said to also relieve depression and insomnia, calming and
soothing minds stressed from over-thinking.
I give instruction on this practice on my cd, Heart Chakra Meditation. I have also put an instructional sound file on the music player on my Chanting the Chakras myspace page.
This is one of the major practices I am working with these days-- I teach it in all of my retreats. In the future I will write an e-letter focused on these practices.
This is a very interesting article:
We practiced the HRIM Mantra associated with Bhramari Devi, the ancient bee Goddess of India.
In the Tantric tradition, HRIM (pronounced Hreem), is the prime mantra of the Great
Goddess and holds all her creative and healing
powers. It awakens us at a soul or heart level,
connecting us to Divine forces of love and attraction.
In the Vedic tradition, HRIM is a mantra of the Sun,
particularly in terms of illumination. It increases our aspiration and
receptivity to Divine light, wisdom and truth, opening the lotus of
the heart to the inner Sun of consciousness.
There is much more to be said about this mantra and I will! But for now you can hear it chanted on The Mantra of the Bee Goddess, from my forthcoming cd: Hymns From the Hive. This is posted on the Bee Priestess Myspace Page. You will also find on that page a video of a traditional yoga teacher in India giving instruction on Bhramari pranayama.
We practiced the Four Purifications:
These practices purify and re-energize the nadis or meridians - the energy passage ways that are the core structure of our minds and bodies.
The Four purifications are practiced in a cycle:
1) Nadi Shodhana or Alternate Nostril Breathing
2) Kapala Bhati, also called Skull-Shining or Breath of Fire
3) Agnisara Dhouti, purifies the naval or solar plexus region.
This is also known as the Fire Wash.
4) Mula Bandha or Perinium Lock, purifies the lower part of the body.
Instruction for all of these practices except Agnisara Dhouti are included in my book/cd Chakra Meditation.
Traditionally you should always practice under the supervision of an experienced teacher. I learned this sequence of pranayamas when I was on a four week yoga retreat at Mt. Madonna under the supervision of Baba Hari Dass.
His wonderful book details these practices:
Ashtanga Yoga Primer
by Baba Hari Dass by Sri Rama Pub
Paperback
List Price:
$10.95
Our Price:
$10.95
Buy Now
The Biosonic tuning fork, Otto 128, I used in the workshop and that everyone loved, was created by John Beaulieu, a naturopathic doctor and one of the most important people working with sound healing today. You can certainly get a cheaper version of this medical tuning fork, but it doesn't vibrate nearly as strongly or as long as does the Otto.
You can visit John's website to learn more about the tuning forks and to download a free E-Book on how he uses them.
And his book on Music and Sound is really fantastic.
Music and Sound in the Healing Arts
by John Beaulieu by Station Hill Press
Paperback
List Price:
$15.95
Our Price:
$9.00
Buy Now
The incense charcoal, Miyako Sumi, I was using comes from Shoyeido.
I was burning Frankincense, sandalwood powder, fermented cedar powder and sage. The burning of Frankincense has been associated with frame drumming since the earliest of written records -- at least 4,000 years ago!
Here's a wonderful link on the therapeutic properties of frankincense, myrrh and gold. Thanks to Dawn Marie Villalobos for this link!
We did a lot more but I think this is enough for this newsletter!
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Sept. 2009 -
June 2010
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Layne Redmond's Schedule
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Nov. 20 - 22, Twin Lakes, MI, Cybele's Retreat Center
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THIS WEEKEND!!! NOV. 20 - 22
Ancient Tools of the Bee Priestess
The Rhythmic Path of Transformation
Intermediate to Advanced Workshop
We will be concentrating on rhythms in ten on tambourine and sitting position style frame drum, please be
familiar with Layne's Instructional CD: Tenfold, available from her
website.
For workshop description, registration and accommodation info,
Email Barb Pitcher at <oakdrum@earthlink.net>
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Dec. 4 - 6, Lenox, Massachusettes, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health |
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LAST DRUMMING WORKSHOP OF THE YEAR:
The Healing Power of Drumming Ritual and Chanting
Intro Level Frame Drumming
Prepare to enter the holidays & the new year in a grounded and balanced state!
Chanting, overtone singing, and humming to the rhythms of the frame
drum are ancient technologies for synchronizing mind and body for
psychological, physical, and spiritual healing. During this magical
weekend, we will use all the tools of the ancient priestesses as we learn a synthesis of frame-drumming techniques from India, the Middle East, and North Africa. We will also be learning the new frame drum purification practices. |
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Dec. 6 - 11, Lenox, Massachusettes, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
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LAST WORKSHOP OF THE YEAR!
Balancing the Chakras Through Sacred Sound,
Yoga & Pranayama
Prepare to enter the holidays & the new year in a grounded and balanced state!
Learn the underlying energy practices of Layne's Drumming, Teaching and Composing. Combine with the frame drumming workshop Dec. 5 - 7 for a complete training in Layne's work.
Layne will teach traditional practices to
balance each chakra. Drawing from classical texts, she will introduce
practices designed to
remove energetic obstacles and blocks in the chakras.
Layne will do a frame drum purification for all participants but she will not be teaching drumming in this workshop. CE Credits - - This program is eligible for: 18 credits for yoga instructors (YA), $20 additional charge
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March 26 - 28, 2010, Raleigh/Durham, NC
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Sound Purification and Healing: An Advanced Frame Drumming Workshop with Layne Redmond
Friday night March 26 to mid-day Sunday March 28 2010
Music Explorium Community Room, Durham NC
For graduates of a Giving Birth To Ourselves, Trance Union, Invoking the Muse frame drum intensive, or intermediate to advanced level frame drummer.
Layne will focus on trance rhythms in 10 and share advanced
purification practices using the frame drum and Tibetan bowls and
bells, to purify self, others, and the environment. These practices
have grown from the transformations and life-passages Layne has
experienced over the last year, including the purification rituals she
participated in last summer in Brazil. There's a good reason that
almost every traditional creation story in the world begins with the
Power of Cosmic Sound -- so come prepared to be transformed on every
level!
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May 15-16, 2010, NYC, NY, The New York Open Center |
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Rhythmic Healing: Intro Level Frame Drumming,
Purification & Sound Healing
This workshop is a part of The New York Open Center's Sound and Music
Facilitator 9 Month, 250-Hour Professional Certification Training Program,
October 2009 - June 2010. You can register for the whole program
or for each weekend segment separately.
For further information on Layne's workshop click here for her calendar and scroll down to the New York Open Center workshop.
For further info on the Open Center's Complete Sound & Music Training Program click here.
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May 22 - 24, 2010, Mysen, Norway |
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Frame
Drumming & Healing Sound:
The Path of Rhythmic Transformation
I am completely excited to be going to Norway for the first time!!!
This is going to be a great workshop drawing upon the ancient traditions of the Frame Drum.
For complete description and to registerCLICK HERE
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May 28 - 30, 2010, Women's Retreat in Italy
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We're just in the process of organizing an intensive women's retreat on the tambourine to take place in Northern Italy. Details soon!
Please be in touch with Dorothy Rogers: goldenseed@mtnarea.net
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June 11 - 22, 2010, Pilgrimage to Greece and Cyprus |
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June 11 - June 22nd, 2010
Beginning on the mainland of Greece in Athens on June 11, and then on to Cyprus for pilgrimage and drumming workshops.
This trip will include: Advanced Workshop for experienced Frame Drummers (must be confirmed with Layne Redmond for this workshop) and an Intro Level Frame Drum Workshop.
The trip will kick off in Athens with the concert for Pre-Hellenic polyphonic singing in the Theatro Petras. I was there last year and it was the most amazing concert I have ever heard. Then we will travel on to join a group of Cypriot
women to study the frame drum and the meditation practices of
the ancient Bee Priestesses. We'll also visit the great museums of
Cyprus and the sacred sites of Aphrodite. We
will be a small group so contact us early! If you are planning on
attending the drumming retreat in Cyprus you must come with an
appropriate Middle Eastern Style tambourine and for the advanced
workshop you will also need a tar.
To see a short video I shot at last year's concert, click here.
To see the drummer playing for me backstage, click here.
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New CD - INVOKING APHRODITE
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Announcing the release of Invoking Aphrodite, Layne's latest cd. Invoking Aphrodite features sacred music and poetry from ancient Greece fused with Mediterranean and
Brazilian drumming traditions, violin, bansuri flute from India and vocals. It features works of Sappho, the
Pythia Priestesses of Delphi, the Epitaph of Seikilos (the oldest
notated musical composition found to date), and Mesomedes of Crete's Hymn to the Muse. A newsletter filled with information on the ancient wisdom based around the Pythia, the priestess of the Delphic Oracle, the hymns of Sappho, and the transliterations of the ancient greek texts for chanting, is coming soon! Click here to listen to tracks and purchase MP3 downloads from CD Baby.Interested in the high fidelity recorded CD? Click here for a special price for Invoking Aphrodite on Layne's website.
Special Price: $12.95
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