Sita Ram is the name of The Subway Bhaktis first CD of devotional, inspirational music. The Subway Bhaktis are Rachel Zinman and Nyck Jeanes and producer and musician Kamal Engels. Rachel and Nyck are based in Byron Bay, Australia, where this album was recorded, but these chants and songs were first conceived when they were living in New York City from 2000 – 2004. Rachel was teaching ISHTA yoga in NYC and as part of her studies discovered the joys of chanting. She would often practice mantras in the subways – commuting to and fro beneath the city – by making up melodies to help her remember them. At home with husband Nyck, with harmonium and guitar, these chants became musical pieces. In 2003 their friend, music producer Kamal Engels, came and stayed in New York. They shared some music; some laughs, and acted as his tour guide. Over the next year they were writing tunes, singing chants, and riding a lot of trains. They began doing Kirtans and people seemed to want recordings. Then in September 2004 Rachel and Nyck moved back to Australia via Sri Lanka, where music seemed also to flow freely. By early 2005 they were pretty determined to record these chants written on the subways and their Brooklyn apartment; in the coconut breezes of Sri Lanka and Belize; and in the wide green backyards of Byron Bay. Kamal was more than ready to help the manifestation and so The Subway Bhaktis were born. Rachel and Nyck lead Kirtans in Australia, the USA, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Kirtan is the traditional form of devotional singing practiced in India and in ashrams and yoga studios around the world. This album is a magnificently produced compilation of some of their chants, featuring wonderful musicianship and beautiful harmonies and rhythms. Devotional song, inspirational poems, healing, massage and relaxation music and chant are all elements of one of the fastest growing genres of music in the world. Many people are now looking for motivation in words and music to assist their exploration of the divine – to offer insight into the sacred – and to augment their spiritual practice with yoga music, chanting, and inspirational words and thoughts. Listening to and singing songs that touch the spirit and uplift the heart is a joy that must be experienced. More and more people around the world are finding deep pleasure in the practice of devotional singing. The chants on Sita Ram are in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, and the sound of the words resonate deeply – vibrating the energy within, bringing healing and lightness, and a depth of relaxation and meditation.