VA - Om Yoga Mix (2003)

There are dozens of yoga CDs on the market, but the body benders at Dharma Moon Records might have a better line on it than most. Founder David Nichtern, who also wrote Maria Muldaur’s hit "Midnight at the Oasis," is a Dean of Buddhist Studies, while his wife, Cyndi Lee, is an author and Director of New York City’s Om Yoga Center. Lee sequenced Om Yoga Mix with previously released materiel from Dharma Moon Records as well as several new tracks. Mirroring the flow of a yoga session, Om Yoga Mix moves seamlessly from the floating spaces of Michael Hewett's e-bow guitar soliloquy on "Nagual" to more uptempo themes like Nichtern's "In Praise of...," featuring kirtan-style chanting. Nichtern's global fusion group Drala is represented by the energized new track "Moment to Moment" and the slo-mo trance of "Opening the Gates" from their debut CD. An English vocal track with singer Falguni, reveals Nichtern's melodic pop sensibilities filtered through Indian raga. While English vocals are rare in the yoga world, it works on Om Yoga Mix, which takes you on a journey whether you're in a yoga session or listening session. --John Diliberto