Yoga_Journal_-_June_2016_

83

june 2016

yogajournal.com

DJ TASHA BLANK BELIEVES IN the healing power of music and move-

ment because she’s lived it. Discovering ecstatic, freeform dance in her

early twenties helped her overcome the eating disorders she’d suffered

during her time as a classical dancer. “I felt like I was dancing for the first

time,” she says. “It was totally different, because it was my dance. It was

coming from the inside-out, rather than outside-in.” Deeply moved by

the experience, Tasha Blank started throwing occasional ecstatic dance

events and DJ’ing. Now a full-time DJ and a devoted yogi who practices

daily, she spins deep house music at dance gigs and yoga events in

New York City, as well as at festivals around the country.

What’s the difference in how you prep

for a yoga event versus a dance event?

It’s actually similar. In yoga and in dance, we’re after the same thing,

which is this experience of unity, of total presence, of embodiment. So

when I’m preparing for either type of gig, I’ll put together a big playlist of

song options that I think would be appropriate based on the teacher and

the venue. But then, when I get in the room, it’s really a matter of sensing

where people are at, understanding where we want to take them, and

then continually choosing sounds that will lead the room in that direction.

You do a regular Deep House Yoga event with Elena

Brower and other teachers at Verboten, a club in Brooklyn.

Is it a high-energy party or a straightforward yoga class?

It’s pretty much a strong flow class, but often the beat is so infectious

that teachers can’t help but throw in some extra bounces in Chair Pose

or a few minutes of straight-up booty shaking. The crowd is also different

each time. What I love about it is that many new yogis will show up because

they’re into the music. I’ll hear people say things like, “In order for me to

try a yoga class, it needed to be this one.”

What would you say to someone attending

a yoga-and-music festival for the first time?

Don’t plan too much. Instead, be open to going with the flow. Surrender

and trust that you’ll find yourself exactly at the right place at the right time.

What would you say to someone who feels like

music distracts her from yoga and from going inward?

One of the reasons we do yoga is to learn to be present in the midst of dis-

traction. Life is rarely completely quiet. We develop the ability to be centered

with all the things that are swirling around us. And everything is music—my

heartbeat is music; my breath is music; a teacher’s voice in my ears is music.

It’s all just different levels of vibration. It’s about what you do with these

vibrations and where you put your intention.

How did Sai Maa help you

come back to music?

She let me DJ at her meditation retreats; one

event, in Australia in 2007 with a thousand

people in attendance, was my “aha moment.”

I saw how the music was cultivating moving

meditation: People were feeling, processing,

and releasing joy and anger and all of these

emotions. I felt a deep connection energetically

with the crowd. From there, I started to work

on producing my own music.

How do you describe your sound?

I’m still trying to find that, but I would say it’s

sort of dreamy with really strong beats like hip-

hop bass. I like to create beautiful soundscapes,

but I also like the ecstatic part and stronger

house beats.

Is it different to be a party DJ

versus a yoga DJ?

Playing in a yoga class is a very, very hum-

bling experience because I’m definitely not

the center of attention. I want the music to

be good, but I want it to be so seamless and

so integrated with the class that the students

barely know I’m there. It’s a great practice

for me because I love DJ’ing big shows and

rocking the crowds. But I can also be like, “Hey,

I’m here in this 20-person yoga class just sitting

back and being within the practice and creating

a space for everyone.”

What would you say to people who
feel like live music doesn’t belong in
a yoga class?
There’s a time when it’s really good to do yoga
in silence just to hear your breath. And it could
just depend on the person. Some people prefer
a quiet class without music. That’s OK. Music’s
not for everyone.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES PORTO