Vande gurunam charanaravinde
Sandarshita svatmasukhavabodhe
Nishreyase jangalikayamane
Samsara halahala mohashantyai.
( I worship the Guru's lotus feet
Awakening the happiness of the self revealed
Beyond comparison, acting like the jungle physician
To pacify delusion from the poison of existence)
source: Yoga Taravalli by Shankaracharya
The Ashtanga yoga opening invocation
An expecting mother,awaits for that first sound . That first gurgling breath, then that loud echoing cry -saying " I am here ! "
A welcoming sigh from the mother and father ,( the creators), knowing that,
the blessing of new life has moved from the internal womb onto this earth plane.
A new life begins .
It is said in the good book, that life, exisistence was first created by sound.
In yoga we know this as OM.
Om universal "oneness",
that every thing-ness, all life ,ever present and infinite,
omni - potent.
A journey of sound.
My journey
into "really understanding" sound began at,
The Auckland Performing Arts School when I was 19 years young.
Before this I had always been a "performer" my mum says.
Singing and posing at the camera,creating little plays and skits with my younger siblings.
Directing my brother to be the wicked queen , my sister the captured princess.
Never shy, mum and my school teaches said
" I talked too much".
Growing up with this natural need to be EXPRESSIVE and also being supported to do so ,( coming from a family of Maori's and church goers, singing and dancing was the norm. My brothers a writer /rapper,my sister in law is a star in the Australian production of Hairspray.)
I have amazingly talented friends, whom are professional , musicians,dancers and artists.
Its the NORM.
I am not sure exactly when it changed for me.
This need to be expressive .
It did change though , from something -
ego driven to something... more profound ,raw and pure.
Maybe it was, somewhere between
me perfoming, driving bands around, being the girlfriend of a lead rock singer, being heavily involved in the Perth music scene and becoming a committed yogi.
Dont get me wrong I love music. Aways will.
I loved the "scene" back then and respect artists for what they are doing.
Sharing their talents.
I still enjoy, no love is the word, LIVE music/theatrics.
Watching an amazing artist chanel creative energy in its purist form.
Its a true gift.
But
my love for music, the sounds that I once loved , started to become irritating.
No longer pleasurable. White noise.
I became sensitive to certain sounds.
I started to prefer silence.
Or mediataion music.
Ting Ting Ting music my husband calls it.
What was happening??
Actually in hinsight, it all began earlier.
jumping back to
finishing performing art school.
I became fascinated and more engaged by the skills and introductions to ART as THERAPY.
It in fact was a stepping stone into a new career path. One of Physical therapist and yoga teacher.
I am not my job ,my occupation.
This was my journey ,my path that helped me discover /awaken my wisdom.
Bringing me closer to self .
This transition ,came as I started to learn about and renounce my EGO.
My intentions changed.
The " healing" power of vibration, using your voice as a tool, music and dance, art to inspire and heal .
To express love.
Emotion.
" E (energy in) MOTION".
These qualities became my intentions.
Everthing is made of vibration, subtle to the dense physical. We all sense it.
When we walk into a room, you can feel it. The energy,vibration.
A person has a vibration ,an energy about them. we sense it ,feel it.
Through yoga and Buddhism.
CHANTING :
such as
NAM MYHO RENGE KOH
(SGI Buddhism).
And
MANTRAS.
such as
Om shanti shanti Om
( Hatha Yoga).
We can fine tune our awareness of these subtle vibrations.
Being enquisitive to these vibrations
Feeling them deep in our cells. Trusting in them.
Letting them guide you on your path to happiness.
Opening that door way.
Opening our throat chakra .
VISHUDDHA chakra
- at the throat, bright blue and clear .
Symbolic of communication,inspiration,expression and faith.
To speak your TRUTH - SATYA in thought,word and deed.
SATYA PRATISHTHAYAM KRIYA PHALA SHRAYATVAM
-Patanjali Yoga Sutra ii :36
Vibrations, tones that speak louder than words.
This is where my journey has led me.
To use my voice, to create music with my guitar.
To chant,sit in satsang
and rejoice in the power
of sound.
Upon taking my
first Nada yoga podcast with Jivamukti teacher, Jessica Stickler. Here in Nicaragua a few weeks back.
(Original class March 4th 2011 itunes).
Jessica had a live band playing in the studio. Matthew Lombardo and Christian Montegut.
AND
At the same time a beautiful friend ,( My best friends husband,Julian Arahanga aka Sonny,
in New Zealand),
released his documentry.
"Songs from the Inside"
( Maori TV )
http://www.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx?tabid=75&pid=13209&t=f
AND
a guest came to stay at our hotel , whom is the band promoter for, Tool,Ben Harper (whom I have met) Cake and other bands.
He and I connected.We talked shop. Reminescing about Perth ,Big Day out .When we were both there at the same event.
Him with Tool. I using my combi to help Shock records promoter ,drop sound gear off.
He was also a yogi. We talked about music,chanting,podcasts, sound engineering .
It dawned on me,
I know why my journey has been the way it has.
It all makes sense.
I am here to teach ,to inspire others.
To inspire others to trust in their voice.
To CHANT ,SING, REJOICE.
For me I found this through my past ,
YOGA and BUDDHISM
Its there for all of us.
In our own unique and magical journey.
We can ALL make beautiful music in our own lives everyday.
In every thought ,every heart felt intention.
Through art,music,dance and play.
We all have the ability and potential to create beauty.
Every second of our lives.
Through vibrations.
Our own energy.
So , I pick up my guitar ,strum and ,
hum.
I am inspired to sing,
sing loud,sing soft and
yes rejoice
it feels good..
I sing loud
" Give a little love ...loveee love ,
Love sweet love, loveee ,love
Its only love, sweet loveee
Give a little love
sweet love "
Oceano del Yoga surf yoga retreats in tropical Southern Nicaragua.
