Rhythmic breathing is one of the most important techniques utilized in yoga practice. When done properly, it can be highly beneficial in quieting the mind, energizing the body and elevating one higher levels of awareness. CHAKRA BREATHING MEDITATIONS, by author and acclaimed percussionist Layne Redmond, is a guided practice in the use of breathing to synchronize the mind and body. This program offers an overview of the complete yogic breath, chakra-activated seated meditations, standing meditations (with full yogic breath) and a walking meditation that focuses on each of the seven chakras. In addition, there is one "music only" percussion-oriented track that gives listeners the freedom to meditate in their own way, free of instruction.
CHANTING the CHAKRAS features a union of a 2000 year old Yogic meditation practice with trance-inducing drumming, masterful Indian Sitar and Tambour, and euphoric Mantra chants. By chanting the seed syllables of the chakras, you can retune your mind and body in a Yogic manner, resulting in deep relaxation and well-being of the entire self.
Percussionist and life-long yoga practitioner Layne Redmond takes listeners on a fascinating journey into the depths of the chakra system with this informative recording. Themed after the heart chakra, an energy region that is key for the receptivity of love, Redmond presents a series of meditations that will help you purify the heart chakra and keep it balanced. Featured in this set are two discs. The first offers instruction from Redmond, and includes pranayama exercises, shavasana practice and meditations. The second disc presents over an hour of intoxicating chants that weave together elements from the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Islamic spiritual traditions. The finishing touch is a 20-minute recording of the human heartbeat, an incredibly powerful healing sound.
INVOKING THE MUSE is the result of a fascination percussionist Layne Redmond developed with a second century song titled "Hymn to the Muse" that she found while doing research on the music of ancient Greece. The recording pays homage to each of the Nine Muses of Greek mythology and the powers of inspiration they possess. Redmond's skill for constructing powerful and complex rhythms is once again on display with this release, as evidenced by the invigorating energy of the pieces. Further enhancing the rhythmic atmospheres are the sounds of violin, African thumb piano, flute (Steve Gorn) and vocalese (Anonymous 4's Ruth Cunningham and Manhatten Transfer's Laurel Masse). These haunting soundscapes are great for reflection or trance dance.
Each of the rhythms on this recording evolved out of the unique sound of the frame drum. The frame drum is the world’s oldest known drum and for thousands of years was the primary trance inducing technology for religious and ecstatic rituals. It is the oldest spiritual means for directly synchronizing the mind/body for accessing higher levels of awareness.