EARTHRISE SOUNDSYSTEM

At an Equinox on the Upper East Side, Derek Beres brings his own brand of music to class. A yogi, D.J. and music writer, he has teamed with the producer Dave Schommer, known as "Duke Mushroom," to create EarthRise SoundSystem. (Their full-length album is titled "The Yoga Sessions.") The idea was to reinvent yoga music, which they do by drawing overwhelmingly on global rhythms that are heavy on percussion. – NY Times

Echoes of Africa, India, the Middle East, and other places where ancient ways still prevail lend depth and heart to the music's electronic overtones. And deep, resonant bass is prominent. It weaves hypnotic patterns that gather and release energy like kundalini rising. – Yoga Journal

In a rebuff to the New Age soup into which some "yoga music'' degenerates, these songs subordinate electronic effects to the live instrumentation, which is thick on bass and rich with traditional percussions and complex rhythm schemes that reward repeated listening. – Boston Globe

New York studio musicians Derek Beres and Duke Mushroom seamlessly mix Thievery Corporation-style dub beats with original guitar, violin, and tabla recordings into something far beyond the syrupy mess that typically passes for "yoga music." By deploying traditional Sanskrit chanting alongside Hebrew vocals, they call to mind pioneering world music groups like Dissidenten. Even if you believe that yoga should be done in monastic silence, this is still a great chill-out soundtrack for after practice ends. – Yoga International

Let's face it: For many of us, when paired with "music," "yoga" is a four-letter word. That smug serenity! That bland New Agey-ness! That indiscriminate, dilettantish plundering of sounds from cultures for the sake of seeming "exotic" and "spiritual!" "Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop!" is not an effective mantra. Well, would you feel better with something more like this? – Spinner

If you're looking for an album to aid your Yoga practice, here is something to believe in. The Yoga Sessions, a compilation of tracks inspired on and for the mat, is the integration of Yoga and music in its finest form, especially when considering the track record of the minds behind the creation. – LA Yoga

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MASOOD ALI KHAN

Masood plays the Hang like a healing stream of rhythmic magic. Mixing his Indian roots with a universal sound scape that is extraordinary for yoga and living the flow. – Shiva Rea

Transporting – DJ Pathaan/BBC Worldwide.

Takes you deep into the depths of the soul…Ethereal…Exudes plenty of healing energy…This album is perfect for Yoga classes; the rhythms will get you off your asanas. – LA Yoga

This music is pure magic! Music is energy and these songs are full of healing vibrations and deep intentions. Use this CD for creating sacred space in your life. Masood Ali Khan is beautiful spirit with many gifts to share. – Saul David Raye

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DAVE EGGAR

Dave Eggar's life in music is an unending crescendo. – Time

Breath taking! A deliverance from the sedate. – NY Times

I've taken more than one class in which I was assaulted by crescendos and punctured by Sforzando. No chance of that with Eggar's contribution to the burgeoning Yoga Sessions series. An asana junkie and restless innovator, Eggar weaves a delicate soundtrack for breath addicts to groove to. – Whole Life Times

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