On June 1, I launch weekly Feminine Yoga at Serasana Dripping Springs based on my extensive continuing education on women’s reproductive health. Weekly classes will vary based on the lunar cycle. Open to all, regardless of gender identity, we focus on tuning in to connect with the rhythm of the moon and our body clocks for optimal well-being. Earlier this year, I unveiled my Feminine Flow 90-minute workshop.
To align with the female deities, Mother Nature, and Mother Moon, I created a new playlist. While I have many divine feminine tracks on my 100+ playlists, I curated this one using Insight Timer. I have used that app for 15 years, mostly for guided meditations (in English, Spanish, and Italian). Additionally, I love the app's dengze bell timer that symbolizes feminine wisdom. However, Insight Timer also has an outstanding music collection. So, I’m sharing my 75-minute divine feminine top picks with personal anecdotes.
About My Divine Feminine PlaylistCarrie Grossman has long been a favorite of mine on Insight Timer. Aside from her angelic vocals and soothing compositions, she is an outstanding writer with a master’s in religious studies. Devotional music and chanting, she says, “are the tools that help us see the sacred in everything so that we can take inspired action. We all have the inner resources, courage, and power to transform this world by transforming ourselves. Inside and outside—mind and world—are one.”
Over the years, I have participated in intimate workshops with Mike Cohen, Gina Salá, and Johanna Beekman. Similarly, I’ve attended Donna DeLory (a former backup singer for Madonna) performances many times. Additionally, as a yoga and kirtan blogger, I interviewed Donna and Mike, several times.
Mike’s soul version of Sita Ram is catchy and moving. For example, one of my students praised this track which presents ancient mantras in a blend of soul, country, and rock and roll.
Mike's inspiration for this track was layered. Hence, the layered style, tempo, and mood.
“At the time I was infatuated with the song Heavenly Music by Ray Charles and was playing around with some of his soul chords. This was the basis for the A Section” in Sita Ram. The B Section was inspired by a song by a Colorado musician who seemed to channel George Harrison.
“The C section was my producer Ben Leinbach's suggestion. He thought the Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends could work well, mashed up with the Maha Mantra, which we included in the A Section. Given that Sita, Ram and Hanuman were ‘friends,' I thought this was a good fit.
“It was super fun to turn this into a big, gospelly/rock party at the end. [Female vocalist] Dawnia is so soulful, that I felt inspired to write soulful chants. The guitarist, Gawain Matthews, was amazing throughout this track!” Gawain's compositions have been featured frequently on shows including "American Idol."
Note: Images are from my "Color Your Chakras" coloring book.