Album  Shanti Guitar - release date March 20 1012 on White Swan Records. Get the download now at : http://whiteswanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shanti-guitar

Most of the pieces on Shanti Guitar are based on the concept of Raga, a traditional form of Indian music that has been in existence for centuries. It's important to note that these pieces are not traditional North Indian Classical music. Rather, they were borne from a personal musical style developed over many years - a style that is heavily influenced by this music.

The word Raga itself means “that which colors the mind." It is not only a scale or some fixed sequence of notes; it is considered a living musical entity (like a God or Goddess). The ancient Vedic yogis discovered that ragas have certain harmonious or antagonistic effects depending on when they are played. When correctly performed -- at the appropriate time of day or season of the year -- a spiritual connection between Raga and musician occurs, thus creating a "sound manifestation" between artist and audience. It is an experience that is literally out of this world.

"Music is much more than notes produced on an instrument. Every note should live and breathe with a connection to the Soul. Drawing from the infinite tradition of raga, as well as that of blues and those South African sounds of my youth, I have found a way to express my experience in a way that I hope will leave you feeling soothed, healed, uplifted and at peace with one's self and the world. Because that's the feeling I get from playing it. Namaste, Siyabonga and Peace." - Stevin McNamara, Ashland, Oregon, January 2012

Songs from Shanti Guitar

Healing Guitar - Solfeggio Frequencies for Body and Mind

Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Guitar for Massage, Sleep & Yoga Nidra - Releasing October 14, 2016

With this, his eighth solo album, Stevin McNamara continues his musical journey, inspired by the classical music of North India and the ancient sound traditions of the Vedic yogis.

The full program of twenty musical pieces is over two hours long and is selected from Stevin’s favorite compositions from the last 15 years, along with several unreleased compositions, presented in a new and unique form, and accompanied by beautiful, healing beds of sound created by renowned sound healer and master drummer Christo Pellani.

This organic music takes us into peaceful and relaxing spaces - a musical bridge into the dream state and beyond, leaving us with the feeling of rest in nature and connecting us to a higher state of awareness. The combination of all-natural, acoustic and non-computerized sound creates a fresh and deep musical landscape for relaxation, savasana, yoga nidra, meditation, contemplation, restful sleep and more.

Most pieces are based on traditional Indian ragas (“that which colors the mind") in the Alap style -- where melody is explored without rhythm, although some have a natural rhythm — but they are performed in a way that is easily accessed by the western ear.

The powerful melodic passages create a focus for the attention, soothing and relaxing for body and mind,centering the emotions. The melodic structures in each raga have been passed down through the ages and are intended, when played correctly, to manifest or invoke specific emotional states and feelings such as love,devotion, longing, peace, joy, separation, et al.

These raga-based melodies on guitar, sitar and dilruba are accompanied by various drones and such healing instruments as Tibetan bowls, bells and gongs, tubes and real nature sounds — which have been shown by their pure tonal attributes and primordial nature to induce the listener into higher brainwave states, e.g., alpha and theta. This unique combination of acoustic musical instruments and healing pure tones are what form the basis of this album.

All being said, no matter what musical background the listener comes from, this universal and accessible music should make one feel relaxed and refreshed — just by listening and immersion, even if not used for any particular formal practice or purpose.

Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Guitar for Massage, Sleep & Yoga Nidra

Bathing in Nature, Shinrin Yoku - 432 Hz

Forest Bathing 432 Hz (Shinrin Yoku) – The Magic of Nature

Forest Sunset (Bhimpalasi) - Nature’s Dream - 432 Hz

Spirit in the Stream - 432 Hz

from the New Album Shakti Guitar - released Sept.23 2014 featuring Steve Gorn (Bansuri) Brandon Turner (bass) Christo Pellani (percussion)TJ Troy(tabla )
This piece continues  the day at dawn - based on Rag Jogiya

Greeting The Dawn - Part 2 (Theme)Rag Jogiya - Ft. Steve Gorn ( Bansuri)

From the upcoming Album "Shakti Guitar" releasing Sept 23 on White Swan Records - Featuring Mala Ganguly (Vocals) and Christo Pellani ( Percussion)

Shakti Sunset - Part 1 (Alap)Rag Bhimpalasi Ft. Mala Ganguly - (vocals)

From the new Album "Shakti Guitar" released Sept 23, 2014 on White Swan Records - Featuring Sheela Bringi(Vocals) and Christo Pellani ( Drums and Percussion)

Shakti Guitar

Prajna's Dream (featuring Sheela Bringi - vocals)

Healing Heart Chakra 639 Hz

Healing Heart Chakra 639 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Sensual Sacral Chakra 417 Hz

Sensual Sacral Chakra 417 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Meditation Crown Chakra 963 Hz

Meditation Crown Chakra 963 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Energy Solar Plexus Chakra 528 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Communion Throat Chakra 741 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Vision Third Eye Chakra 852 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Prana Root Chakra 396 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

Grounding for Healing 174 Hz (Solfeggio Frequency)

(You can get a free download of this track here :
https://whiteswanrecords.bandcamp.com/track/savasana-sunrise-dawn-flow

from the album : Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Guitar for Massage, Sleep & Yoga Nidra Nov 2016.
The full program of twenty musical pieces is over two hours long and is selected from Stevin’s favorite compositions from the last 15 years, along with several unreleased compositions, presented in a new and unique form, and accompanied by beautiful, healing beds of sound created by renowned sound healer and master drummer Christo Pellani.

This organic music takes us into peaceful and relaxing spaces - a musical bridge into the dream state and beyond, leaving us with the feeling of rest in nature and connecting us to a higher state of awareness. The combination of all-natural, acoustic and non-computerized sound creates a fresh and deep musical landscape for relaxation, savasana, yoga nidra, meditation, contemplation, restful sleep and more.

Most pieces are based on traditional Indian ragas (“that which colors the mind") in the Alap style -- where melody is explored without rhythm, although some have a natural rhythm — but they are performed in a way that is easily accessed by the western ear.

Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Guitar for Massage, Sleep and Yoga Nidra

Savasana Sunrise (Dawn Flow) Rag Jogiya

With this, his eighth solo album, Savasana Yoga Music, Stevin McNamara continues his musical journey, inspired by the classical music of North India and the ancient sound traditions of the Vedic yogis.

The full program of twenty musical pieces is over two hours long and is selected from Stevin’s favorite compositions from the last 15 years, along with several unreleased compositions, presented in a new and unique form, and accompanied by beautiful, healing beds of sound created by renowned sound healer and master drummer Christo Pellani.

This organic music takes us into peaceful and relaxing spaces - a musical bridge into the dream state and beyond, leaving us with the feeling of rest in nature and connecting us to a higher state of awareness. The combination of all-natural, acoustic and non-computerized sound creates a fresh and deep musical landscape for relaxation, savasana, yoga nidra, meditation, contemplation, restful sleep and more.

Most pieces are based on traditional Indian ragas (“that which colors the mind") in the Alap style -- where melody is explored without rhythm, although some have a natural rhythm — but they are performed in a way that is easily accessed by the western ear.

Rising from Sleep (Dawn Flow)Rag Bhairavi

Rising from Sleep (Dawn Flow)

Sun Salutation Guitar (Dawn Flow)

Embracing the Dawn Yoga Nidra (Dawn Flow)

Greeting the Day Yoga Music (Dawn Flow)

Savasana Sunset (Sunset Flow)

Between the Worlds Yoga Nidra (Sunset Flow)

Shakti Guitar is the continuation of a musical journey that began many years ago when Stevin McNamara first fell in love with North Indian classical music. Having grown up in South Africa, surrounded by African sounds and rhythms and imported music from the USA and Europe in the forms of jazz, blues and rock, he was unprepared for the stunning effect on first hearing Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Nikhil Banerjee, to name a few. The result was an ever-growing passion for North Indian classical music that became even more real as he was fortunate to study sitar with Ram Das Chakravarty of Benares.

As the years have gone by, all this music has grown into a personal style that encompasses all these influences and is now presented on the nylon string guitar. It is important to note that the music on this album is not classical North Indian music, but rather a personal style that has developed through a deep immersion in that centuries-old tradition.

Shakti Guitar: A Yogic Journey from Radiant Dawn to Deepest Night

Heart Of The Lotus - Part 1 ( Alap )JhinJyoti

Midnight In The Darbar ( Rag Chandranandan)

Midnight In The Darbar ( Rag Chandranandan)featuring Davis Trashoff - Sarod

From The Album " Shanti Guitar" White Swan Records
Most of the pieces on Shanti Guitar are based on the concept of Raga, a traditional form of Indian music that has been in existence for centuries. It's important to note that these pieces are not traditional North Indian Classical music. Rather, they were borne from a personal musical style developed over many years - a style that is heavily influenced by this music.

The word Raga itself means “that which colors the mind." It is not only a scale or some fixed sequence of notes; it is considered a living musical entity (like a God or Goddess). The ancient Vedic yogis discovered that ragas have certain harmonious or antagonistic effects depending on when they are played. When correctly performed -- at the appropriate time of day or season of the year -- a spiritual connection between Raga and musician occurs, thus creating a "sound manifestation" between artist and audience. It is an experience that is literally out of this world.

"Music is much more than notes produced on an instrument. Every note should live and breathe with a connection to the Soul. Drawing from the infinite tradition of raga, as well as that of blues and those South African sounds of my youth, I have found a way to express my experience in a way that I hope will leave you feeling soothed, healed, uplifted and at peace with one's self and the world. Because that's the feeling I get from playing it. Namaste, Siyabonga and Peace." - Stevin McNamara, Ashland, Oregon, January 2012

Shanti Guitar

Moon Magic (Chandra) Pt. 2 - Gat

Moon Magic (Chandra) Pt. 2 - Gat (full Track)

Most of the pieces on Shanti Guitar are based on the concept of Raga, a traditional form of Indian music that has been in existence for centuries. It's important to note that these pieces are not traditional North Indian Classical music. Rather, they were borne from a personal musical style developed over many years - a style that is heavily influenced by this music.

The word Raga itself means “that which colors the mind." It is not only a scale or some fixed sequence of notes; it is considered a living musical entity (like a God or Goddess). The ancient Vedic yogis discovered that ragas have certain harmonious or antagonistic effects depending on when they are played. When correctly performed -- at the appropriate time of day or season of the year -- a spiritual connection between Raga and musician occurs, thus creating a "sound manifestation" between artist and audience. It is an experience that is literally out of this world.

"Music is much more than notes produced on an instrument. Every note should live and breathe with a connection to the Soul. Drawing from the infinite tradition of raga, as well as that of blues and those South African sounds of my youth, I have found a way to express my experience in a way that I hope will leave you feeling soothed, healed, uplifted and at peace with one's self and the world. Because that's the feeling I get from playing it. Namaste, Siyabonga and Peace." - Stevin McNamara, Ashland, Oregon, January 2012

Anam Pt. 1 - Alap

Anam Pt. 2 - Gat

Song of the Sun Pt. 1 - Alap

Internationally-acclaimed for his Western interpretations of northern India's classical music, Stevin McNamara offers you this entrancing journey called Prana Groove. His signature acoustic stylings flow freely on a current of meditative percussion. A great addition to your yoga or bodywork playlist!

Prana = the Sanskrit word for basic primal vital energy which sustains and energizes the body. It moves through the breath.
Groove = rhythmic patterns which motivate the body to move.

The melodic element of Prana Groove is based on Rag Malkauns – a profound raga which is to be played late at night (usually midnight) – based on a pentatonic (5 note) scale. The large intervals between the notes create an intense emotional effect on the listener.

The tempo is 108 beats per minute, chosen for it's sacred Sanskrit value and effect. There are 108 different yet interwoven musical phrases presented throughout the piece.

"I created this music as an adventure into the realm of energy and movement," Stevin McNamara explains. "I used the ancient musical form of raga coupled with pulse and drum patterns found in trance and other traditions, such as Sufi Dervish ecstatic dance. I offer it as a celebration of life, of our connection to the earth and all living beings."

Prana Groove

Dance of the Midnight Moon

Yoga Journal Review :
"A passionate performance on guitar offers a Westerner's interpretation of the classical Indian raga.

Classical Indian music is all about mood. Songs can evoke joy, tranquillity, even devotion. To accomplish this, musicians base songs on a form called a raga—a melodic pattern built on a framework of notes, rhythms, and musical progressions designed to summon up a particular emotion. It's best to experience ragas if you want to understand them, and now you can get a taste on Stevin McNamara's new album, Om Guitar: Acoustic Meditation Music.
A gifted guitarist and sitarist who has worked with Tina Turner, among others, McNamara has released two earlier solo discs: Caroline Myss' Chakra Meditation Music and Yogitar. McNamara's purpose on his newest album is not to imitate classical Indian music, but to apply the principles of raga to the totality of his background as a player of Indian and Western guitar.
Om Guitar is made up of four lengthy songs (from 13 to 25 minutes) that unfold at the unhurried pace of a sunny day spent in a leafy canyon. The music contains melodic and harmonic echoes of classical European repertoire, coffeehouse strumming, gentle psychedelia, and easygoing jazz. These combine effortlessly with McNamara's skillful microtonal string bends that are unique to North Indian classical music. This technique creates a plaintive sound that is especially effective in the album's first composition, "Aubade," based on a raga designed to awaken passionate longing.
Other compositions showcase McNamara's guitar and sitar playing in tandem. The two instruments intertwine in coy call-and-response patterns and joyful melodies on the album's closing track, "Heartsong Celebration." Another piece, "May Fortune Smile," features McNamara's nylon-string guitar being struck by fingers, brushes, the heel of his hand, and a violin bow. On other tracks, percussionist Nic Dacelo and tamboura/harmonium player Aram Ram provide hypnotic underpinnings. The album as a whole is meditative and soothing, making it an evocative introduction to classical Indian music."

Om Guitar

Aubade

Aubade ( full track )

Searching the Inner Sky

May Fortune Smile

Another Sneak From the forthcoming White Swan Records release "Shanti Guitar" (March 1012)
Digital Download - available now !
This piece is inspired by The Ragas Jhinjoti and Gara.

Romantic mood - Lovers meet in a Secret Garden - under the Mango Trees.
They dance lovingly beneath a silvery Moon.

Moon Magic (Chandra) (Part 1 - Alap)

MoonMagic Alap

A fresh and inspiring version of this ancient Mantra in an East West fusion style - featuring all acoustic instruments . 
Nylon string guitar - 12 string guitar- Bass - Stevin McNamara.
Glorious vocals by the renowned Indian classical vocalist,Mala Ganguly - Drums and percussion by Christo Pellani. 

Gayatri Devi is an incarnation of Saraswati Devi, consort of Lord Brahma, symbolising the "shakti" (strength) and "dev" (quality) of Knowledge, Purity and Virtue. Saraswati Devi is held to be the patronness of the Arts, being a poet and musician, as well as skillful composer. In the form of Gayatri Devi, with the blessings of Lord Brahma, she is believed to have given the four Vedas to mankind.
Mantra:

Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat
ॐ भूर्भुव: स्व: तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि, धीयो यो न: प्रचोदयात् ।।
A basic translation can be given as...
Oh God, the Protector, the basis of all life, Who is self-existent, Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, Who pervades the Universe and sustains all, the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.
The Gayatri mantra is one of the oldest and most powerful of Sanskrit mantras. It is believed that by chanting the Gayatri mantra and firmly establishing it in the mind, if you carry on your life and do the work that is ordained for you, your life will be full of happiness.
The word "Gayatri" itself explains the reason for the existence of this mantra. It has its origin in the Sanskrit phrase Gayantam Triyate iti, and refers to that mantra which rescues the chanter from all adverse situations that may lead to mortality.

Goddess Gayatri is also called "Veda-Mata" or the Mother of the Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Saam and Atharva - because it is the very basis of the Vedas. It is the basis, the reality behind the experienced and the cognized universe.
The Gayatri mantra is composed of a metre consisting of 24 syllables - generally arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each. Therefore, this particular meter (tripadhi) is also known as the Gayatri Meter or "Gayatri Chhanda."

CSM Gayatri Mantra ( Embracing the Divine)- FT Mala Ganguly - Christo Pellani

"Music is much more than notes produced on an instrument. Every note should live and breathe with a connection to the Soul. Drawing from the infinite tradition of raga, as well as that of blues and those South African sounds of my youth, I have found a way to express my experience in a way that I hope will leave you feeling soothed, healed, uplifted and at peace with one's self and the world. Because that's the feeling I get from playing it."
Namaste, Siyabonga and Peace,
Stevin McNamara

Moon Magic (Chandra) (Part 2 - Gat)

Moon magic (Chandra) Singhle/Edit

Three Eyes of Shiva 

Another fresh and inspiring version of the ancient Mantra Om Tryambakam - Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra - Rudra Mantra in an East West fusion style - featuring all acoustic instruments . 
Nylon string guitar -  Stevin McNamara.
Glorious vocals by the renowned Indian classical vocalist, Mala Ganguly - 

Drums and percussion by Christo Pellani. 

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, also known as Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Mantra . It is also called Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Lord Shiva (Mahadeva), and Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Lord Shiva’s three eyes. The 3rd eye (the faculty of insight and intuition) is said to be located in the space between the eyebrows and is “opened” when one experiences the spiritual awakening.

Followers of Lord Shiva consider that this powerful mantra evokes the Shiva within human beings and removes the fear of death, liberating one from Samsara – the cycle of death and rebirth, hence the name “Great Death-conquering Mantra”.
Along with Gayatri mantra, it holds the highest place among the many Sanskrit mantras used for meditation, contemplation, and healing. Whereas Gayatri Mantra is meant for spiritual guidance and purification, Rudra mantra is used for rejuvenation, healing, and nurturance. Mahamrityunjay mantra is also considered a strong remedy to propitiate Lord Shani (The Sun God).

Lyrics in Sanskrit:

”Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushthivardhanam; Urvaarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityormuksheeya Maamritaat.
Translation in English:
”We worship the three-eyed one who is fragrant, and who sustains all living beings. May he liberate us from (Samsara) death. May he (Lord Shiva) lead us to immortality, just as the cucumber is released from its bondage.”

Word-by-word meaning 	:

◦	Om – is the primeval ancient sound from which everything originated. This sacred syllable represents the entire manifested world and the unmanifest, and also that which lies beyond both the unmanifest and the manifest.
	◦	Tryambakam – represents the three-eyed Lord Shiva who sees what we can see but who also sees what we can not see.
	◦	Yajamahe – we honor, worship, adore.
	◦	Sugandhim – sweet smelling, fragrant.
	◦	Pushthi – a well-nourished condition, prosperous, thriving, the fullness of life. Reality nourishes (sustains) everything.
	◦	Vardhanam – one who strengthens, nourishes, causes to increase (in wealth, health, well-being, wisdom, knowledge). On the spiritual path, our understanding increases day by day.
	◦	Urvaarukamiva – like the cucumber. Here it symbolizes each of us and our relationship to existence.
	◦	Bandhanaan – from captivity.
	◦	Mrityormuksheeya – free, liberate from death, attain moksha (a blissful state of existence of a soul, completely free from the karmic bondage).
	◦	Maamritaat – may I never again be parted from immortality.

Three Eyes of Shiva (Om Tryambakam Yajamahe - Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra - Rudra Mantra)

Three Eyes of Shiva (Om Tryambakam - Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra)- FT Mala Ganguly - Christo Pellani

Bittersweet Theme Edit

Bittersweet theme edit

Healing Eyes Of Shiva- Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Mantra - Alap

Sacred Dance Of Shiva - Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Mantra

Savasana Sunrise (Dawn Flow)

World -Raga- Acoustic Guitar Music for Yoga, Contemplation, Meditation, Heart, Mind and Soul, or just to Chill. Real Instruments played by Real People. 

Stevin McNamara has been playing and recording music for over 40 years.
He is in the unique position of being an accomplished 
Composer/Musician and a Recording Engineer.
This gives him total freedom in any music/recording environment.

Born in South Africa, Stevin started learning piano and guitar at the age 
of seven. He played solo and in bands all the way through high school.
At the age of twenty one, Stevin moved to the United States, where he 
had more formal training at Berklee College of Music in Boston Mass.
He has been involved in music ever since.

Although Stevin grew up with the sounds of African Music, he also 
discovered Indian Music in the early seventies and studied the Sitar with 
Ram Chakravarty of Benares who was then professor of music at 
Wesleyan College in Connecticut.
This diverse exposure to such a broad spectrum of music, ranging from 
World to Pop has contributed to the unique musical style he has 
developed over the years.

In the late seventies, after spending considerable time as a session 
musician in recording studios, Stevin became fascinated with what was 
happening on the "other side of the glass", namely the recording process
itself. This passion developed into a highly successful career as an audio 
engineer.

He has worked in the fields of Popular music World, Folk, Jazz, Film and 
Television in top studios in South Africa, England, and the United States,
He is perfectly at home in any State of the Art recording facility, or Live 
Sound scenario, even at Stadium Concert level. He is qualified to teach 
Audio engineering at College level.

Stevin has worked with well- known producers such as Robert John "Mutt"
Lange and a huge spectrum of recording artists (see Artist List - www.yogitar.com)
- from Paul Winter to Tina Turner- from Bryan Adams to Zakir Hussein.

He now lives In Ashland Oregon where he spends his time doing 
freelance recording, original music production, and live performances


Solo CD Releases.
" Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Guitar for Massage, Sleep & Yoga Nidra"
 Nov 2016. White Swan Records.(http://whiteswanrecords.com/index.php/white-swan-healing-arts-series/product/323-savasana-yoga-music-healing-guitar-for-massage-sleep-yoga-nidra)

"Shakti Guitar - a Yogic Journey from Radiant Dawn to Deepest Midnight ". - released Sept 23 2014 - White Swan Records -http://whiteswanrecords.com/

"Shanti Guitar" - Released April 2012 - White Swan Records

"Prana Groove" - Released Feb 2011 - White Swan Records

"Om Guitar- Acoustic Meditation Music" - released April 2008 - Sounds True .

prior releases include:

“Caroline Myss Chakra Meditation Music” - Sounds True .
“Hafiz - The Scent of Light” - Sounds True
and “Yogitar” - Etherean Music.

Stevin's Music has also been recently released on various compilations:

Putumayo's - "Yoga Lounge"  Oct 2014
Sounds True - "Trip Tracks : Ecstasy"  Sept 2014
Putumayo's - "World Yoga" - 2012
White Swan - "Meditative Massage Music: Healing Instrumentals for Peace & Quiet" - 2012
White Swan - "Savasana Yoga Music: Healing Instrumentals & Singing Bowls for Meditation & Relaxation" - 2012
White Swan - "Spa Relaxation Music: Soothing Spa Sounds for Serenity " - 2012
Seva Foundation - "Poised to Give" - 2012
Ambition Entertainment, Australia - "Yoga Yoga Yoga - 2013

Stevin McNamara

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