Next week, West of Lenin will bring another highly creative experience to Fremont. The black box theatre will convert into a yoga studio and live music venue with the introduction to Seattle of the Pali Chant Suite by Susan Voelz. Twice a day from January 5th – 8th, 70-minute Thai Yoga sessions will be held to music composed by Voelz, and performed by her and two other violinists – Anne Harris and Rose McIntosh.
Coordinated with the music, the Thai Yoga practice will flow between positions and experienced yogis Paul Weitz and Andrea Rossetto will demonstrate these poses. Thai Yoga, or Rusri Daton, an uncommon form of yoga to be practiced in the U.S., seeks to balance the flow of energy in the body through 10 sen lines, or channels, of the body’s anatomy.
A professional improvisational violinist, Voelz encountered this form of yoga while on a tour of Thailand. She rose at dawn each day to do, “Thai yoga to a Pali chant,” she recalled. When she returned home she recorded the chant with her violin, and combined it with other sounds of Thailand, and her compositions of rock music played with strings, to create this suite of songs to accompany the yoga practice.
The West of Lenin sessions will further replicate the experience of Thai Yoga by incorporating the scents of the flower offering, and serving ginger tea. Attendees will be welcome to follow the yogis through this workout – ideal for beginners to advanced practitioners – or simply sit and absorb the experience and the music.
Information on times, and tickets purchases ($30, please bring a mat or beach towel and water) can be found on Brown Paper Tickets. Eight sessions will be offered over four days, and those who want to fully immerse themselves in this form – and the music – as well as those looking to fulfill a resolution, can still book their space for multiple sessions.