Taking his love of music and his love of Yoga to a new level, he has combined the two and found peace in music for mind, body and soul. SONG DOWNLOAD!

With his recent CD release Strong As Diamonds, and his Yoga DVD released shiva vinyasa flow invigorate, not to mention a book on the way and the hefty title of Ambassador to the Yoga clothesline Lululemon, Wade Imre Morissette seems to have made himself a brand of multimedia.

All that aside, you suspect that Morissette would find contentment in whatever he chose to do, but we can possibly be grateful he is willing to share his passions with the rest of us. Hear Wade Imre Morissette’s song ‘Gayatri Mantra’ from his record label, Nettwerk (www.nettwerk.com) released CD ‘Strong As Diamonds’ http://www.nettwerk.com/forms/goto.jsp?link_id=537

1. Tell me a little bit about your journey towards merging your two loves - Yoga and music?

I grew up being forced to take piano lessons. (Thanks mom and dad.) I was able to read and write music from a young age. Growing up I put my music on the backburner and plunged headfirst into all sports, especially soccer and competitive swimming. At the age of 18 I took my first yoga class in California and was hooked. I tried University for 3 months but realized that my passion lay in pursuing eastern mysticism and everything under the sun to do with eastern spirituality. It is then that I dropped out and travelled to India and the East on many occasions.

When did the two converge and why?

When I began to study yoga in great depth I also took on learning the guitar and african drums. During my practice of yoga I began to chant mantras (ancient Sanskrit texts). It was a natural link to develop my own melodies to the chants and incorporate my own English words, poetry and affirmations into the practice of Devotional "Bhakti" Yoga.

2. Can you briefly explain what Devotional Yoga is and how it impacted has you?

Devotional Yoga is the practice of repetition of mantra. Mantra are words of power that bring about a focused and clear mind, an open heart and happiness. It was a part of my yoga practice that I incorporated in Rishikesh while studying by the Ganges river. A very deep and searching time.

3. You've traveled a great deal to India and your music seemed to really take off in India. Alanis Morissette also traveled to India and her trip changed her entire perception towards music. Why is India such an inspiring country for the Morissette twins and their music?

There is something intoxicating about India. It's a place of extremes and is very raw. With such a deep tradition of spirituality in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism it's awe inspiring to see the reverence for spirit completely integrated into day to day life....and let's not forget how so many lives are intertwined and interdependant as the nation grows in economic power.

4. How has your music helped you develop in your calling towards Yoga?

The practice of yoga is so diverse. The deeper you plunge into the practice the more layers and facets there are to it. Traditional chanting although magical in it's beauty of the Sanskrit language was a little dry to me. As soon as I added parts of my western upbringing to it , it became much more tangible and enjoyable to me.

5. Your CD, Strong As Diamonds, is an uplifting collection of songs; what do you hope to achieve with your newest CD?

Sell millions of records and inspire people to live lives of compassion and service!

6. What does "Strong As Diamonds" refer to?

The diamond is so fascinating to me in the fact that it is so resilient. It's a symbol for me of the fact that you can go through so much pain and sorrow in your life yet if you pray then at the end of each emotion lies a deeper connection to joy and spirit! The diamond is strong. To be strong as diamonds is an analogy to be courageous and steadfast
as you move through life with its many challenges and triumphs.

7. You are Canadian by citizenship, but seem to have an international soul; what are some positive actions Canadians could be doing to become more international in their perceptions?

I can't really speak on behalf of all Canadians except to say that I know our country has produced some of the most talented and authentic artists on this planet. I am proud to be Canadian although there are parts of this country that I feel very limited by. That is why I like to travel to keep my mind open and allow myself to always be in a place of
expansion and moving into new unknown territories as artist, yogi and planetary citizen :)

8. Tell me about being an ambassador for Canadian Yoga clothing company Lululemon (www.lululemon.com). What does that entail?

As a global Lululemon Ambassador I wear their clothes and try my best to exemplify Lululemon's manifesto. (Which is to live a healthy lifestyle.) It entails giving feedback for the clothes I wear and talking about the company as I travel. I have seen the company grow yet still maintain a strong connection to local communities. The charity work and vision of Chip Wilson (owner and founder) is inspiring and the clothes are great too.

9. Tell me about the Lululemon Yoga Pilgrimage in 2005.

It was great and exhausting in a good way. I went to Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, and 32 cities in North America in 2 months spreading the awareness of consciousness and personal responsibility. I led Vinyasa Flow yoga classes with live musicians, yoga teacher trainings, workshops and facilitated mantra music concerts and guided bliss dances! It
was a blast. At the end of the pilgrimage I cried one night for hours on end. Not because I was sad but because I put SO much of my energy out and held so many people in the space of releasing emotion that I had a mini meltdown. The next morning I was back on my feet....SO SO profound. ...my experiences just keep getting deeper and fuller. I am very
blessed to be able to do this as my life vocation!

Do you and Lululemon have any plans for another one?

They are in a place of huge expansion. Once they come to more of a plateau we may do something again. I am open to the possibilites but right now my main focus is having another child with my wife!

10. You recently released a DVD 'shiva vinyasa flow invigorate' and a book soon to be published called ?Living Your Joy? when will the book be released?

I am looking to release the book early 2008. I am searching for a publisher with a few opportunities. It will be a perfect way for me to define exactly what my yoga and personal transformation seminars will entail. It's like birthing another baby altogether.

How is it different from the DVD?

The DVD is strictly a 90 minute high intensity yoga flow. The book will be much more diverse and focus on everything from meditation, emotional intelligence, law of attraction through yoga, and other gateways to FINDING YOUR BLISS and then living it!

11. Did you ever imagine your love of yoga and music could lead you on this path?

Not really. A long time ago I struggled with the notion that I loved yoga and music and wanted to do both. As soon as I discovered that I can do music within yoga I felt like I arrived home temporarily.

Where do you see your journey with yoga and music in the next ten years?

Touring the world, hosting retreats, yoga and personal transformation seminars, mantra concerts to halls of 10,000 people, serving the planet. ...and then hopefully once I am a millionaire I can become what my ultimate dream is ....to be a part time philanthropist and a full time dad/grandad, husband and garden tender off the grid somewhere. (with lots
of friends visiting!)

12. What inspires you?

Anybody who goes for their dreams no matter how many challenges they face!!

13. What is the best advice you were ever given?

Sing your heart out! You don't know what GOD likes!

14. What is your favourite book? (besides your own of course!)

All books that have to do with moutaineering and climbing. Also surf movies. Both are hobbies in which I am too chicken to try but can totally relate to the spirituality of both passions! Huge respect for big wave riders and those who climb mountains!

To Learn more about Wade Imre Morissette, go to his website at: www.wadeimremorissette.com