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Drum Music For Yoga

Yoga practice and music are almost two inseparable entities. Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that synthesizes the mind, body and spirit through proper breathing techniques, practice of different asanas and meditation. Music has the universal charisma of directing a human mind and body towards a a serene and amiable state. The sound and the tones of the music can delve deep into the human consciousness and evoke many moods and thoughts. Since early periods, music has been aptly complementing yoga and meditation practice. In contemporary times, there has been a little variation in the kinds of music that is played, yet, the essence has remained unchanged. There are many yoga DVDs and Yoga CDs available from which a yoga aspirant can benefit himself. The soothing melodies and the instrumental music pieces guides a yoga practitioner to a higher realms of tranquility and calmness.

Drums and the beats evolving out of yoga music plays a key role in regards to the connection of yoga practice. The beats of drums are far more than mere entertainment music. Rather, drums, in the realms of yoga, is an active tool created to assist a yoga practitioner in discovering effective ways. The profound effects of the drum beats aid a person to achieve mental clarity, emotional balance and deep relaxation. The music created by the drums when blended with ancient art of chanting mantras, evoke a deep spiritual feeling. This sensation and realization of the mystic insight will bring you close to self enlightenment.

Like yoga and meditation, the beat and rhythm of the drums calm, soothe and strengthen the body, mind and soul. The binaural beats and periodic tones of drums coupled with yoga asanas result in stunning outcome. With specific frequencies and various rhythms, the music of the drum relax the body and liberates the soul from the inner inhibitions. Sounds and tones of the drums and the practice of yoga together helps an individual attain a deeper spiritual experience. You can simply put in your headphones and listen to the drums beats as you practice yoga. This symbiosis of drum music and yoga can create the most desired brainwave pattern. In the process, these binaural beats result in very deep meditation. It can be thus derived that the drum beats also acts as an effective meditation music.

Drumming and yoga have been used since years. This duo awakens the energy, passion and drives the individual to attain spiritual goals. Drum beats that are used in yoga practice leave an impression which evoke mystic insight and the greater feeling of well-being. The senses are stimulated and relaxed and the practitioner experiences stress free and alert state. In the process, his creativity, clarity and intellect is enhanced. The unique sound experience of drums is further enriched by the drum music collection by Spirit Voyage. Spirit Voyage is an US based record label company which offers different CDS and DVDs for practice of yoga and meditation. The Drum music collection of Spirit Voyage includes artistes like David and Steve Gordon, James Asher, Suphala and others.

The myriad of yoga and meditation music collection of Spirit Voyage includes music for Kundalini yoga to Down Tempo and Chill Music, New Age Celtic Music to Instrumental Yoga Music for relaxation. The meditation music for Spirit Voyage are suitable for morning and evening dhyana. In addition to the spiritual music collection, Spirit Voyage also offers different yoga accessories like yoga rugs, yoga mats, yoga cushions and different malas and jeweleries. Different yoga and health and wellness books are offered by Spirit Voyage which assists an yoga aspirant to gain in depth knowledge on different kinds of yoga like Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vikrama Yoga, Sivananda Yoga and many more.

The beats of the drum enhance the healing states and help one increase the sense of harmony with nature and with oneself. Spirit Voyage, with its various kinds of yoga DVDs and CDs sends a musical invitation to all yoga aspirants to merge with the divine harmony of existence. The drum music in yoga is intuitively used to help a listening mind form a spiritual union with the mystic spheres.

Drum Circles Across America

Drum circles are becoming increasingly popular. They offer social outlets, while at the same time, supporting a worthwhile hobby. The emphasis on individual drum circles can vary, from ethnic events, like those that focus on samba music, to therapeutic groups for stress relief, to community drum circles, the main function of which is to create a sense of community.

The neo-pagan drum circle is the most well-known type of drum circle. At spiritual festivals, the drum circle is used as a part of several ceremonies. The drummers play in order to create a magical experience, particularly at night, while singers and dancers perform around a bonfire. Summer and winter solstice celebrations are some of the biggest opportunities for drum circles, as the pagans believe that they are “drumming up the sun.”

The community circle is a favorite for the drummer looking for a non-religious drumming opportunity. It is a casual experience, usually with a group of friends that can be used for celebration or recreation. They typically take place in parks or conference rooms. These events are also used as team building activities for corporations.

The Central Florida Drum Circle is a social drum circle that focuses on the connections between people regardless of age or race. It is one of the biggest drum circles, with 537 members who meet up to play and build relationships with each other through the magic of music.

One of the largest community circles in the south is hosted by the Atlanta Drum Circle Meet-Up Group. Close to 450 percussionists join to celebrate music and fellowship. The group emphasizes the therapeutic aspects of drumming, by reducing stress and encouraging mediation while playing. This group is great for those interested in gaining culture while indulging in a fun hobby.

Austin, Texas is home to another of the largest drum circles in the world. The Active Fun/Peace Loving Hippies is built to provide community and a place to speak the group member’s beliefs. Additionally, this group has over 400 participants who are hand drumming enthusiasts.

Arizona’s largest monthly circle, the Burning Bush Drum Circle has more than 375 hand drummers involved. Local business sponsor the event, where drummers, tambourine players, belly dancers and bagpipers get together to play music and dance, while fire eaters perform. This group, hosted in Phoenix, Arizona has been meeting every month for two years.

The New York City Meet-Up Group is comprised of 375 hand drummers. The group uses percussive techniques and ethnic rhythms from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the East. Additionally, the group does innovative synthesis with poetry reading and story telling, accompanied by the hand drums.

The Knoxville Area Pagans’ Meet-Up is a Tennessee-based group known for spiritual drum circle. Though they practice pagan religion, the group practices and performances are open to anyone in the area with an open mind. The Knoxville Area Pagans’ Meet Up has over three hundred members, who are encouraged to share their religion while making new friends, as well as music.

Cultural Drums

Wood djembe drum, ‘Kente Pillar’Today’s Price: $348.99

Poised in the hands of a rhythm conductor, the African djembe drum comes to life as sound travels from the taut goat skin head, plummets to the depths of the body, resonates in intense waves of power, then exits the drum magically, drawing the gathered crowd into its alluring beat. This djembe is hand-carved from wood by Joseph Aboagye and wrapped in patterned cotton kente cloth to enhance its visual appeal. An exquisite example of percussive craftsmanship, this instrument makes a wonderful gift for the dedicated musician.

To play, sit on the edge of a chair with ankles crossed, the top of the drum fitting neatly between the knees as the base of the drum rests behind the heels. This way the drum is angled away from the player. Sitting up straight with hands resting on the drum’s playing surface, the wrists should become flat and be in position to create the standard djembe sounds. Djembes produce three basic sounds: bass, tone, and slap.

BASS: With the hand flat and fingers together, place the hand at the dimension of two fists above the center of the playing surface. Allow the hand to strike and bounce back to the original position above the center.
TONE: This is the high-pitched sound produced by striking the top surface nearest the edge with firmly placed fingers.
SLAP: Strike the playing surface’s edge first with the heel of the hand, and then allow the fingers to naturally bounce down towards the drum’s center.

Wood djembe drum, ‘Elephant Village’Today’s Price: $317.95

Evoking the majestic African savannah, an elephant trumpets with pride on the outskirts of a Ghanaian village. Robert K. Ghartey crafts a handsome djembe drum from seasoned tweneboa wood. The goatskin head is affixed by iron rings wrapped in cotton, and a macramé cord can be slung over the shoulder.

Wood djembe drum, ‘African Rhythm’Today’s Price: $289.95

Bold West African rhythms race around the smooth contours of tweneboa wood. Samuel Coleman crafts a handsome drum that he names Frekyiwa, or “rhythm bell” in the Akan language. He sculpts the drum from tweneboa wood, finished in mansion polish. The goatskin head is affixed by iron rings wrapped in cotton, and a macramé nylon cord can be slung over the shoulder. An Adrinkra symbol known as Nyinkyim adorns the base; it means “dynamism and versatility.”

 
Wood kpanlogo drum, ‘Unity’Today’s Price: $289.95

A dynamic design and richly-carved surface distinguish this handsome drum by Samuel Coleman. Its merging Ashanti biakuye symbols express unity and oneness. The kpanlogo drum is a revered element in the music and culture of the Ga tribe in Ghana’s Greater Accra region, marking the rhythm for the traditional kpanlogo dance. However, its characteristic deep, loud sound makes it a popular instrument throughout West Africa. Coleman crafts this beautiful drum of tweneboa wood, affixing its calfskin drum head to wooden pegs with stout ropes. It is burnished to a rich sheen with brown and mansion polish.

An ideal gift for the world music aficionado, its joyous rhythms fill any environment with the spirit of biakuye.

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