Becky Pell
Oxfordshire, England
Sound Engineer/Yogi/Author
Question:
You are both a sound engineer and a yogi. They seem to the polar opposite of each other; as a sound engineer you are surrounded with loud music and with yoga, the emphasis is on breathing and mindfulness. How do they influence each other?
Answer:
At the risk of sounding like a massive hippie (Guilty as charged!), music and yoga are both about moving energy and connecting with joy. Yoga is a rich treasure trove of practical techniques and philosophical wisdom, and it informs every area of my life. My yoga practice keeps me healthy and grounded when I’m on the road, and enables me to keep a cool head in the high-pressure environment of large gigs. In mixing monitors, I aim to create an audio environment where artists and musicians can be comfortable enough to forget about technicalities and do their job of giving the fans a great night out. When I practice yoga, I connect with a peaceful and joyous space inside myself; when I teach yoga, I help someone else to find it within themselves; when I mix, I help bands to share joy through music. Not really so different, underneath the surface!
