It’s summer, and one of my favorite things to do is go see James Taylor perform live at an outdoor venue. I didn’t make it to his concert this year, so instead I pulled out my James Taylor greatest hits albums to get my JT fix. And, like most things in my life these days, James inspired me in a yogic way. I have used many James Taylor songs in my yoga class playlists (“Shower the People,” “You’ve Got a Friend”), and now I am deeming “Up On The Roof” my new yoga theme song. I’m thinking James may just be a yogi or really in touch with how to let it all go and connect with what’s really important.

Per the song, when James gets stressed out, he goes up on a roof to take in the beauty of nature and get away from all his worries. When Carole King wrote this back in the ’60s and James recorded it in the late ’70s , they didn’t have to worry about disconnecting from their wired lifestyle like we do today, but I don’t think they would be taking their iPhones up on that roof.

I love this concept of going outside to connect with nature and to just let go of all worries and stress. But, I’m swapping out that roof for a yoga mat! Yes, when I get on my yoga mat, I can let myself go, quiet the mind, and find a paradise that’s trouble-proof. When I can take my yoga mat outside for a practice, all the better.

So without any further set-up, here is the Daily Downward Dog’s new yoga theme song, except I had to parody the lyrics to make them a little more yogalicious!

Up On The Mat

When this old world starts a getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I’ll find my way to the yoga studio
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the mat, it’s peaceful as can be
And there the wireless world don’t bother me, no, no

So when I come home feeling tired and beat
I go to where the asanas are fresh and sweet
I’ll get far away from my hustle and stress
And all the rat-race noise chattering in my mind

On the mat, that’s the only place I know
Look inside yourself, baby
Where you just have to breathe and let it go

Let’s go out on our mats

And at yoga class there’s breathing, asana, and meditation
And, yogis, you can share it all with me
That’s what I said
Keep on telling you

That right smack dab in the middle of my mat
I found a paradise that’s trouble-proof
And if this old world starts a getting you down
There’s a peaceful practice for you
On your yoga mat…

Take this as a personal invitation to get on out there this week, enjoy some nature, do some yoga, and just let go!

Here’s a really cool live version of James Taylor and Carole King singing the real version of “Up On The Roof.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbasjy2_IY8[/youtube]

Please leave a comment below and let me know where else you’ve found a paradise that’s trouble-proof!

And if you liked this yoga song parody, you might also like these yoga song parodies.

A Lovely (Yoga) Day

I’m a Breath Believer