Music soothes the soul, and live music and yoga soothe the heart and soul.
My final community project for yoga certification was coordinating a donation-based class with live music. To say the least, the experience of listening to live harp music while going through a Chakra sequence was somewhat indescribable. I have pondered for weeks and weeks (and more weeks!) about what made it such a unique experience.
I did some research about what makes live music so special. I read that it is the imperfections of the music, the mood, the location, who we’re with, and the moment in which it’s played that makes every experience unique. I believe that’s absolutely true. Anyone who’s ever been to a concert knows why it’s so much fun to be there in person. We can observe the performer. We make up part of that moment and complete the experience. For the musician, for others, and for ourselves. It is a unique moment in time. And the music fills up that space – completely. And it makes our hearts sing. We feel that connection!
But I still struggled to try to understand how combining it with yoga made it even more unique. And so the thought process began, but stalled. It was something I felt, but couldn’t put into words.
It wasn’t until recently when another class was scheduled. This time for restorative yoga. The same harpist played, some of the same people attended, but there were many new faces, as well. The class was also held in a different space. Once again, I knew what a wonderful experiences it was, but still could not explain why.
And then…voila!!
When I woke up the next morning, it finally dawned on me! It had been there all along, and I knew those things all along, but I just had not put two and two together.
Music meanders through our lives from the day that we are born, and perhaps even before. It evokes memories, feelings, and emotions. It is there for us – always. We can relate to it. Often, we take it wherever we go. In short, it is always there for us. We just need to reach out.
Through my teacher training, I developed a deep sense of appreciation for the connections we make in yoga through the heart and soul. The connection with ourselves, our thoughts, and our feelings. Contemplating, discovering, reaching out, and reaching in. The more I have connected with the yoga community, the more I have realized that it is a kind and heartfelt relationship. It is like a melody that streams through my life. Always there, always different, always with me – whether alone or in a group. I only need to reach out…
-Kathy Rhodes-
After note for the community:
The two harp and yoga classes combined raised over $325! All of it was donated to the Little’s in Need group that serves families who have great financial need.
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