Scratching The Source

- June 2006

Hip-hop culture may be coming to a yoga studio near you. Take Bala Yoga in Los Angeles. On the first Friday of every month a DJ is invited into the expansive loft space on La Brea to spin during a two-hour yoga class, the proceeds of which are donated to a local non-profit. Intriguing concept, and it works.

When I attended, I was a bundle of tension and nerves. Work and love drama had me beneath the wheel. At first I was distracted and found it hard to focus, then the music cracked me open.

We flowed to cool jazz riffs, up-tempo eastern fusion, funky Jamaican dub and ecstatic drum and bass. At times the infectious rhythms heated me up and the sweat poured like rain, then they calmed me down and invited connection and compassion. My negative mind evaporated, my tension drained. Just before savasana, Light, the charismatic and soulful instructor who projects wisdom beyond his 32 years, took over DJ duties and encouraged us “to let go of all those little attachments and touch that pure awareness.” And thanks to the divine partnership of yoga and music I was, indeed, purified.

Light is now a teacher of Vedic Meditation. Find him here: www.beginmeditating.com