top 10 savasana tracks

Here are 10 of our favourite tracks to relax to.... in no particular order. Most of them should be available from Yogamatters.

1. Closing – track 10 from Savasana by Wah!
Prosaically named, but a lovely gentle collection of Sanskrit verses: some of them Shantipat (“descent of peace”) verses from the Upanishads. Also try the equally prosaically named “Opening” from the same CD, as well as some of the other tracks, all of which were designed to relax to.

2. Gayatri Mantra – track 1 from Gayatri Mantra/Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra by Hein Braat
One of the most ancient prayers in the world, and a hugely sacred mantra, chanted in Hein Braat’s rich deep voice. Try also the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra from the same CD, and Hein’s chants of OM and Om Mani Padme Hum.

3. Gopala Lullaby – track 4 from Loveland by Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach
Traditional Indian words, adapted by Jai as a lullaby for his (then) baby son, Ezra Gopal. Need we say more?

4. L’Offrand de Tsok (Tsok Offering) – track 3 from Hope for Enlightenment by Lama Gyurme
Like much Tibetan sacred chant completely mesmeric...

5. Offering Chant (Unplugged) – track 9 from Rain of Blessings by Lama Gyurme and Jean-Philippe Rykiel
More Tibetan chant backed by western music. Haunting and beautiful.

6. Melt into Love – track 1 from Peace in the Heart of the City by Morgan Fisher
Gentle piano from the former keyboard player of 1970s rock band Mott the Hoople. (Does anyone else remember them?!)

7. Monsoon Point – only track on Monsoon Point by Al Gromer Khan and Amelia Cuni
Gentle instrumental and voice without words.

8. Parce Mihi Domine – track 1 from Officium by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble
Latin chant overlaid by Garbarek’s saxophone.

9. Sacred Stones – track 9 from Moonsung by Sheila Chandra
Sanskrit and Latin on the same track!

10. Spiegel im Spiegel - track 1 from Alina by Arvo Pärt
Used in a French film a few years ago – but we can’t remember which one (was it Amélie?). Probably not available from Yogamatters – but should be easily obtainable via Amazon.