Kira Willey Releases a Must Have Yoga Songs for Kids CD
I was contacted to see if I would like to review and run a story on Kira Willey’s newest CD release. Not one to pay attention to new music trends, musicians or commercials (since our tvs only hook up to a computer) I had no idea who Kira was or that she was made famous by her song “Colors” being featured in a commercial.
After being contacted I listened to the commercial via the internet as I patiently awaited my review CD in the mail. I really like Kira’s voice it kind of reminds me of a happier Norah Jones if you know what I mean. When the CD arrived I popped it into my car and took my toddler for a ride to the store. He really enjoyed the upbeat vocals and tunes. Of course this is all original music so he wasn’t much on singing until some of the chorus lines which were catchy and easy to remember came on. I actually found myself enjoying the music as well – this was a shock. We are about to have our third child and we have never invested in a Children’s Music CD because I find them irritating. Yes, my kids may be getting early exposure to songs about booty but we tell them the singers are pirates – just kidding…kind of anyway. I do hem and haw a lot about whether or not to allow them to listen to the radio, especially the stations my husband chooses. Classical music tends to put the driver to sleep so we usually opt for talk radio which may explain my blank stare when teenagers in class ask me if I have heard the new XYZ song, or when Zumba Fitness students want to know if I can choreograph to XYZ song, parenthood definitely has its modern musical limitations. Thank goodness for bright spots on the horizon like Kira Willey – sure its kids’ music but the lyrics aren’t nauseating.
As a yoga instructor and children’s yoga instructor what hit me first is how upbeat and up tempo the music was. I have always looked for music that allows kids to move around for part of class, a hard thing to accomplish as most movement appropriate music has narration over it that ruins the track. I have several CDs from varying Children’s Yoga trainings that go in the complete opposite direction, too calm and sedate and too much indoctrination into yogic philosophy. I do believe relaxing music and chanting have their place in a kids’ class but let’s be honest, the under 7 set (and those above it even) want to and should move!
So it took me a little bit to figure out how this CD Kings and Queens of the Forest could be considered one full of yoga songs. At the end of the CD Kira narrates over all of the tracks with her own blend of kids’ yoga and directions. Definitely some songs are more active than others. It is easy to envision parents, care providers and others utilizing this CD instead of turning on the television to get kids moving, honestly you would never have to tell them its yoga! You can learn more about this amazing mom on her website and check out the news release about her after the jump…
AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN KIRA WILLEY RELEASES HER LATEST CD, “KINGS & QUEENS OF THE FOREST: YOGA SONGS FOR KIDS, VOL. 2”
Artist Best Known For Her Song “Colors,” Featured On A Popular Dell
Laptop Commercial
New York, NY, October 26, 2011 – Award-winning musical artist Kira
Willey, best known for her critically acclaimed hit, “Colors,”
featured in a Dell laptop commercial in 2008 releasing her newest CD, “Kings & Queens of the Forest: Yoga Songs for Kids,Vol. 2.”
“Kings & Queens of the Forest” is the follow-up to Kira Willey’s
award-winning debut album, “Dance for the Sun.” The new CD is a unique
two-in-one combination of captivating songs and get-up-and-move
inspiration. More than just great original tunes that kids (and
parents!) will love, it also includes 13 bonus Yoga Tracks and an
illustrated booklet with more than 40 simple yoga poses. Yoga has
never been more kid-friendly–and family music has never been more
active and fun.
"Children are natural yogis," Willey says. "The foundation of yoga is
imitating aspects of the natural world–trees, mountains, animals–and
kids take to it quickly and easily. And when you set the movements and
poses to fun music, children are instantly, and completely, engaged.”
Willey wrote the music and lyrics for all 13 original songs, and plays
mandolin, violin, ukulele, and guitar on the album. Her music has been
described as upbeat, joyful, and danceable. Sample tracks can be found
on: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kirawilley2, and include the following
songs:
- ROLLER COASTER is a high-energy tune which takes kids on a wild ride
that also happens to be great exercise. The children sit close
together as if in a roller coaster car, twisting this way and that,
and leaning backward with arms overhead shouting “UP, UP, UP, UP,
UP…whee!” as the “coaster” climbs and then plummets downward with each
hooky chorus - MR. CRICKET HOP, an uptempo song featuring shimmering acoustic
guitars and Kira on mandolin, encourages children to be crickets
hopping through the grass. Kids have a blast imitating the crickets’
characteristic sound by lying down and rubbing their feet together,
fitting in both squat jumps and supine stretches. - THE MIXING BOWL highlights the mellow sound of fingerpicked nylon
string guitar; the partner yoga moves include abdominal strengthening
and seated stretching.
(more) - KINGS & QUEENS OF THE FOREST, the title track, grew out of Kira’s
idea for a song for tree pose, a familiar pose in yoga. With a group
of children joining the song’s final, powerful chorus, the song also
helps teach kids the significance of old-growth trees, and respect for
the earth and our environment. - MAMA NATURE is a gentle, lullaby-like song, touching on a child’s
wonder about nature. The corresponding yoga moves include simple
seated twists and relaxation. - UNDERNEATH THE RAINBOW has a spare arrangement, with a single ukulele and vocals. The song’s focus pose, known in “grownup yoga” as side
plank, is here called rainbow pose, with the more familiar cat and cow
poses included as well.
Kira Willey grew up in New England playing classical violin and
singing with her musical family. While living in New York City, she
taught music to young children and realized that her students had the
most fun when they were up and moving—wiggling, stretching, dancing.
Kira had the idea to combine music and yoga as a way to fully engage
kids, giving them the mind/body benefits of yoga plus the joy of
hearing many styles of music. She founded Fireflies Musical Yoga for
Kids in 2006. When she began teaching kids’ yoga (after getting certified through
Next Generation Yoga and Baby Om, both in New York City), she brought
along her guitar and a few tunes she had written. Instant hit: the
kids loved it when Kira sang and played, and they always asked for
more music. They learned the songs very quickly, sang along, and
easily remembered the poses that went with them.
Kira began writing more and more songs to use in class, which
eventually inspired her to record “Dance for the Sun: Yoga Songs for
Kids,” released in 2007. Thanks to positive word-of-mouth, great
reviews, a handful of awards, and (last but not least) a request from
Dell to use her song “Colors” in a worldwide ad campaign in 2008,
Kira’s music has found a large, diverse and devoted following.
Eighteen-year-olds on Facebook, parents of developmentally disabled
kids, and at least one monk in Dublin… and many others, have been
inspired and moved by her songs.
Kira has received an Independent Music Award for Best Children’s
Album: “Dance for the Sun,” an Independent Music Award for Best
Children’s Song: “Caterpillar Caterpillar,” the Just Plain Folks Best
Children’s Song Award: “Colors,” a 2007 Parents’ Choice Award: “Dance
for the Sun,” and two Children’s Music Web Awards–one for Best
Recording for Preschoolers: “Dance For The Sun,” and one for Best
Children’s Song: “Caterpillar Caterpillar.”
