art of attention

6 Questions :: Tips for Practicing the Art of Attention

[Featured in Pure Green Magazine, June 2015] OVER THE YEARS YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED WHEN DEALING WITH WHAT YOU DESCRIBED AS “TWO OPPOSING SIDES OF YOURSELF” AND HOW YOGA HELPS TO MARRY THEM FOR YOU. HOW HAS THIS EVOLVED OVER TIME IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND TEACHING METHODOLOGIES? I practice apologizing and forgiving a lot. We all forget that beneath our opinions and leanings, we are a force of love. For the moments when we forget, the recalibration of a beautiful apology or moment of forgiveness brings it all back to that love. AS A YOGA TEACHER BASED IN NEW YORK CITY, A PLACE THAT MOST WOULD SEE AS DIFFICULT TO FIND CLARITY AND CALMNESS, HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THE CITY’S CHAOS WHILE STILL FINDING A WAY TO CONNECT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS? The city is the best place to practice. The chaos I used to feel was in me; not outside of me. The city gives us the perfect backdrop for locating the quiet within ourselves. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PARENTING, AND HOW YOU AIM TO PASS THE WISDOM YOU’VE ACQUIRED ON TO YOUR SON? I lead by example. Just by paying attention …

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On Music for Meditation, by East Forest

East Forest designed and created the music for the Art of Attention Audio Meditation Course. Here, he discusses his choices, uses and process. On Music for Meditation by East Forest Using music and sound for meditation is an ancient practice; this pairing is at the core of our human experience. Music is multi-dimensional, reaching across and linking realms of the brain to cultivate homeostasis, or a steady internal milieu. Collaborating with Elena on her first Art of Attention Audio Meditation course was an ideal marriage of intentions. When I began curating and creating new music for the series, I wanted the music to be more than just a background element, yet didn’t want it to be overpowering. In order to make the music a kind of “technology” to intentionally deepen the meditative state, I used various sound healing techniques including alternate tunings, repetitive phrasing, and specific chordal structures to calm the mind and gently push the brain into slower states of being. Beyond any mathematical or scientific qualities, I also wanted to invite and imbue the music with Spirit. One way I approached this was to feature tracks that were created live during sound healing journeys. In those settings, sounds flow flow freely and fluently through my hands and …

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