Music

YM:   Why should all yogis know about you?
SH:  I've been doing yoga since l967. I liked the way I felt when I slowed down, breathed deeply and quieted my mind. Back then, I need something that was effective, enjoyable and legal.  With today's higher stress level, I need it more than ever. I know that many others do also.
 
I began composing as a musical portal to bring me to that same place of inner peace.  It has that effect on others, too. That's why leading yoga teachers like Lilias Folan, Swami Satchidananda and students worldwide use my music. My CDs create a modern ambience in the tradition of court musicians who played while the royal family practiced yoga.
 
YM:  Where did you music path begin?
 
SH: I began getting deep into sound and 'the space between the notes' playing trumpet and guitar in high energy jazz/rock and groove- based R&B bands.  In late l969, I had an experience that opened me up to hearing and playing music from a place of peace rather than intensity.  This was an 'initiation' into what was soon to become my life's work.
 
YM: How does your music help listeners find deep relaxation and inner peace?
SH: My music resonates on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. First off, I have (secretly) always aligned my recordings with a basic principle of yoga practice---the rhythm of a deep yogic breath.  This 'entrains' your own breathing, and slows down your heart beat. This alone engages your 'relaxation response.'
 
Then, because I downplay the importance of melody, my compositions create a context that allows your mind to cease predicting where the music is going. Most music keeps you hung up in the future...and the only place we can be truly relaxed is in the 'now.'...the present moment.
 
That's why I like to say I have updated Ram Dass's famous teaching and book title: "Be Here Now."
I say, "Hear. Be. Now." By which I mean, Hearing my music, while doing yoga or anytime, takes you out of ordinary time and into the timeless present. It allows you to 'be' rather than to 'do'.  Automatically, you connect with the cosmic 'now' and attune to the universal quantum field of consciousness (but that's another interview)
 
Compositionally and ethnomusicologically, I often include the consciousness -altering foundational instrument of Indian music, the tambura, or simulate its hypnotic effect with my left hand when I play piano. Many of my songs are modal in nature, meaning I stay on one tonal center, also inspired by traditional Indian ragas.
 
In yoga, as in meditation, the mind is turned inward. Most music turns our attention outward, to the music.  That's cool most of the time, but when I need to go within, I want music that supports this intention, rather than fights it.
 
As an added benefit, many people find that doing yoga with my music playing actually helps them stretch more deeply and hold each asana with more ease.
 
If you've always done yoga to uptempo soundtracks, I invite you to check out the difference. You can feel the effect virtually immediately. Notice if you can stretch further.  Observe how clear you feel when you're done. You may like both vibes.
YM:  One of the things that makes you unique is that you validated the subjective experience of relaxation and healing with biofeedback and other scientific testing. What did you find?
SH: Two main things: First, my kind of music provided a much deeper relaxation experience than relaxing classical music. (Sorry, Mozart) Secondly, most people did not really know what a true relaxation state felt like.  There's still a lot of confusion about that.
 
There are many reasons to listen to music. But if you're looking for relaxation and healing, it's not enough just to like the music; it must actually deliver the state-related experience. If not, you're just fooliing yourself. I see a lot of mis-information in the field of sound healing. People need to fine-tune their awareness, and yoga is a perfect vehicle to do that.
 
YM: Why does the world need this music at this time?
SH: Now, more than ever, with everyone's stress level rising off the charts, we need all the help we can get. There are many other fine musicians creating music for relaxation, healing and peace, so we have a lot to choose from. We each need to find the soundtrack to our own lives, music that connects us with Source, and which we enjoy listening to.
 
Recent research continues to confirm what cultures have known for thousands of years: music can be a very potent, healing artform. Whether it's instrumental or mantra, let's honor this vibrational manifestation of the  Muse and  the Angels of Music.
 
YM: What is the ultimate goal with your work?
SH: My goal has always been to create an experience of peace within each of us, and of greater harmony on the planet.. From that place of peace, we radiate out peaceful vibrations to the world. (It's now scientifically proven, as noted in "What the Bleep" and "The Secret".)
 
By anchoring that feeling of inner peace, we also assist our own body/mind/spirit in aligning with the energies of light, love and joy.
 
Q: Do you practice yoga?
A:  My early teachers were Joel Kramer and Charles Muir (now better know for his Tantra teachings) and Lilias Folan. My body responds better to slow, 'old school' yoga. Due to schedules, I usually practice alone at home, and appreciate anything that assists me in maintaining disclipline.  In fact, that's one of the reasons I produced my latest CD, IN the OM ZONE.   I craved the other voices in yoga class to make it more interesting and comfortable to chant at the end of class. This CD is great to  chant along with when you're alone, and it's also great to play softly in the background as you practice.
 
YM:  Thank you for joining us!  Where can we find out more about you and buy your music?
SH:   Thank You!  I've enjoyed it. The most direct way is to visit my website, www.stevenhalpern.com. We usually have at least one great yoga special.
You can also buy my music at Borders, more and more yoga centers, and of course, Amazon.com