Johann Kotze started Being Ambient Music in 2008 with his first acoustic-electronica album. After some 15 years as a record producer, label owner and musician he left the industry to concentrate on a career of only yoga and well-being. He wrote and published his book “Five Keys to Well-being” in this period. “I have been teaching yoga since 1990, it feels like it has always been a part of my life”.  Combining music and yoga opportunities for 20 years in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, Johann moved to Muizenberg, on the edge of Cape Town city. Here his home yoga studio and music studio overlooks False Bay and the beach. “I run across the road for a paddle whenever I can, even if I can go to the beach or surf for only 20 minutes I go for it”.  

Johann’s considerable experience in journalism, music retail and as founding of an independent label and a childhood love of reading and listening to music and the outdoors and surfing influenced him to produce music and manage productions, large and small, of poetry, classical-, blues- and rock, and compose, perform and record his own music in these genres before suddenly settling into ambient music. “I listened to Windham Hill, Tibetan monks and stuff like that, then discovered the Cafe del Mar and later the Buddha Bar I gradually developed, in fact ai still developing, a personal electronic and ambient-acoustic style of my own”.  All his releases are sold through the international digital distribution channels and Being Ambient Music is the home for all Johann’s creative, well-being and yoga output - beingambientmusic.com

Being Yoga

“My yogic inspiration, behind of this site and the inspiration for my life. I started using the brand name Being Yoga because yoga for me is about living it, not only doing the poses. My style of yoga is based on classic yogic philosophy“

Johann started as a self taught yogi and teacher in 1990, establishing a personal interpretation of the universal values of the classic yogic metaphysics and physical practices as a means to achieve well-being and self-realization. He later qualified as a Sivananda instructor, teaching a style of yoga combines well with holistic living, and allows yoga to be “a gateway to a healthy lifestyle that can be achieved by any individual. Yoga is really not about the difficult stuff, the intricate and strong poses, but about finding ways for it to serve the health of the individual practitioner”.

Five Keys to Well-being

The Five Keys to Well-being technique is based on good posture, effective breathing, mobility, stress management and lifestyle Body-Mind-Spirit integration. “I feel a sound basis of basics are vital to sustainable life success, peak yoga practice, sports performance, productivity and very important for grounding spirituality, or for transforming materialism into greater spirituality”.

Being Well-being

“When I worked as a well-being consultant and Yoga teacher to a general public outside of the traditional yoga studio I had develop the gifts and insights of Yoga into techniques that were accessible. These and countless influences from Zen to Tao has shaped Johann’s ideas around yoga, well-being and music.

A Being vision

“An ideal world that transcends boundaries and integrates consciousness with physical well-being that allows families and economies to thrive, sustainably”.

Acclaim for Being Ambient Music

Wonderful pieces of music, melodies in harmony.

-E-SOUND, Austria

Been listening to your tracks all day, and they are sooo good.

Really helping me stay calm and especially helping me focus.

-Inner Light Spectrum

You music is very beautiful.

I will definitely use your music for other CD albums, mixes and/or videos and promote your music and name.

Thanks again for good music.

Take care, 
Michael Lanfield, 
Ambient New World (Canada)

You take us away to a far better place when we close our eyes nd listen to your music. There is no way to pick out a fav from the lounge tracks. It is all so relaxing and pure heaven.

Anon. Las Vegas

“Being Ambient Lounge” is so smooth and relaxing. It’s a wonderful support in the work place. As a musician who also practices Shiatsu and Acupuncture I find your music to be a great

Kim Merlino, Mount Shasta, California

Wow!!!

You are truly truly gifted. So beautiful….it send shivers down my spine. I’ll most certainly buy some.

Love and light from Vijaya, Yoga teacher, South Africa

p.s. Bless you for sharing

“Winter’s light” – the piano drops sounds magical, like waterdrops from melting ice in the winter silence and sunlight

… icy piano sound. The light feels nice on the skin, but also in the eyes, when the light plays on the water or through the green…

Luc Van Steenbergen, musician (Belguim)

I have been using your CD’s on my courses and have found it very excellent.

Seems to keep people in Alpha and is very “neutral” and excellent in the background when people are meditating.

You must be the most incredibly attuned, creative person.

Natalia Baker, meditation facilitator

Thanks !!! for your CD’s

Simply love the sound..calming peaceful,uplifting..THANKS..again !!

Take care, Namasta,

Desi Ray, Therapist and artist

Your music opens the heart chakra.

Terry de Vries, Labyrinth facilitator and journalist

Very beautiful music.

Carol, nursing sister

Lovely sounds.

Maggie, Cape Town

New energy music for this age.

Gentle and very uplifting.

Karen, therapist

Reviewer on Amazonmp3

5 out of 5 stars trancendent ambient rhapsodies, July 22, 2009

Lose yourself in this music. Johann Kotze has refined and improved his music over the course of three albums and while the refinement of his distinctive style is obvious, he still manages to surprise one with the innovative, fresh sound in this album. Originality, attention to detail and the subtle but distinct African nuances in this song (New beginnings, Zen Heart Mix) will make you reach for the repeat button.