Flamenco Guitar as Yoga Philosophy
Yoga is universal truth. It’s just one way of looking at ageless reality. The greatest Yoga thinkers say so. If that’s true, then one can be practicing Yoga without even knowing it, without even knowing it exists.
I’ve been practicing Yoga all my life, even though I went to my first Yoga class relatively recently.
When I play guitar it has all the elements of Yoga, and I’ve always loved it for those very reasons.
I am completely in the moment for hours at a time. As I improvise, I need to suspend my ego, or nothing of interest will emerge.
I relax all my muscles and breathe deeply to still my mind. I gently focus on the action of my fingers on the strings and the nuances of the sound they are creating.
I feel the music in my bones, in my body, in my spirit, in my emotions, only secondarily in my head.
I gently stretch myself to my limits, but not beyond. I lose all sense of time.
Without any intervening thinking, I feel I am communing directly with the universe. I am purely aware in a way that transcends normal conscious thought.
I’ve been doing this instinctively since I was 14. It’s what music has always been about for me. It’s the same universal truth that is Yoga philosophy.
Yoga Demystified 
Dear Bob,
This is a lovely way to remember that Yoga is everywhere! I am also a musician but sadly I have never found that kind of “samadhi” with my guitar! ;) Guess I need to keep practicing!
So, why the “gypsy” title?
Best,
Bree (La Gitane)
Hi, Bree. Thanks for the comment.
I spent a year in Spain living among the gypsies who played this particular type of very traditional flamenco guitar. Hence the title “American Gypsy”.
See story at http://bit.ly/72MTT8 last three pictures at the bottom.
Bob-
I love flamenco guitar! This is the weirdest set of synchronicities the universe has concocted!
Love it!
Aurora
yes to all of this and beautifully written. When I came to yoga after leaving music, it was like learning a new instrument. The practice is so similar. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, mletag. I know that you understand!
Beautiful explanation of your experience of awareness, union, connection with mind, body, soul.
For me, music and yoga are inseparable. Thank you for writing this!
Satkirin, thanks for your warm appreciation. I enjoyed reading your fascinating background on your website http://www.integratedhealthmed.com/. You’re doing great work.
Never thought about it this way before – but I must be practicing yoga in many ways off the mat that I never realized. Thanks for the wonderful free flamenco guitar downloads – how generous of you!
You’re welcome, Maria. I’m so glad you enjoy the music.