Mimi studied the basics of Nada Yoga with master yogi, Sri Hanuman, of Bombay — a brilliant Hindustani singer,, tabla player, and classical Spanish guitarist.  He's pictured here with his harmonium, the traditional instrument used to accompany the voice in Hindustani singing (along with tanpura, tabla, etc.) ~ often playing in unison to it.  

The voice is considered the foremost 'instrument' in Indian Music...the one most naturally connected to the Divine.  I think singers can understand this ~ because there is nothing between you and  the Music. . .no wood, no mallet, no string.  This may be why singing is in and of itself such a healing process ~ whether you are considered 'a good singer' or not ~ you are allowing your body to vibrate as an instrument and that very process brings profound benefits to mind and body.

Hanuman invited Mimi to become one of his ‘disciples’, encouraging her to teach his approach to Nada Yoga,  combined with her own voice work, upon her return home to the USA.  She now offers a workshop in Basic Nada Yoga ~ in combination with her own work.  This workshop is not to be confused with Hindustani classical singing ~ or with the work you would do with an Indian chant teacher. Rather, it's a simple, preparatory work on the basics of Hindustani vocalizing, that introduces the novice to Hindustani vocalizing, and culminates in singing simple devotional chants ~ while considering some of the differences between Nada Yoga and traditional western approaches to singing.

Hanuman's method is very slow, and relaxed with absolutely no judgment ~ in fact, almost no feedback!  All learning is by call and response.  

We first learn some of the that (scales, or modes) vocalizing on the sargam (the Indian solfege.  That means we're singing notes using the actual names of the notes  and afterwards,  we repeat the patterns on a traditional series of vowel sounds.  

We then practice the alap ~ vocalizing increasingly challenging musical motifs on vowel sounds to increase our familiarity with all possible intervals in the that.

We then do some  improvising on short musical motifs. These short improvisations include ornamentations such as sliding through the micro-tones between pitches, step-laddering,shadowing and so on.

We end workshops by singing some simple devotional chants and mantra.  

It doesn't matter if you are Hindu, Buddhist, Christian ~ or agnostic!   You don't have to know the meaning of the words to enjoy and profit from the workshop.There are many beneficial effects including developing your ability to hear and sing each pitch (including micro-tones) more accurately in every intervallic relationship.  You may experience deep relaxation and release of tension; invigorating energy; and even ‘reconnection with the Self’ as Hanuman would put it ~ reconnecting with yur sense of the Divine.

Often musicians in India say that all the Universe is made of sound frequencies and that Music is the ultimate language of God. Whether you are a mystic who connects with this idea or not, the Basic Nada Yoga workshop leaves you feeling wonderful!  I don't think we even have to know WHY intellectually. Music in general, and this music in particular, is profoundly healing.