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Bibi McGill – The Diva of Organic Rock

OM Times Magazine | May 17, 2011 | 0 Comments

Publishers Note: Be sure to read the May & 1/2 2011 Full Multimedia Edition to see all the videos and pictures.

The phenomena known as Bibi McGill picked up her first guitar at age twelve. Growing up, her earliest inspirations were the retro seventies’ grooves of Earth, Wind and Fire, Mandrill, and the Commodores. The Isley Brothers was her first concert. As she listened and learned to single out the guitar in music, she started schooling herself in the harder, rock-based sounds. After graduating from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Scoring and Arranging, Bibi took off for California and hit the local club circuit.

Bibi has been a yogini of over 12 years.

Bibi-McGill_yoga_OM-Times Bibi McGill had always been intrigued with yoga and wanted to take a class, but as a struggling guitarist in Los Angeles, money was tight. In 1998, she saw an ad that offered the first yoga class free and jumped at the chance. Afterwards, Bibi felt elevated, light and clear. She decided right away that yoga would be part of her life forever.

Little did Bibi know that in 2001, when she started to tour professionally, she would eventually study and practice yoga in over 100 countries around the world.

Bibi was featured in commercials for Heineken and Motorola, among others, and in 2001, her career in music erupted. She hooked up with Pink for her promotional tour in November and started blazing the stages of London, Spain, Singapore, Germany, and Australia with her high-voltage licks and stage moves.

In 2006, she became lead guitarist and then music director for Beyoncé’s 10-piece, all-female band. On the road, Bibi practices yoga to keep up the energy for nonstop performances.

Initially, Bibi practiced Kundalini yoga, a focus on breath and movement, which is defined as a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing one’s inner energy and awareness. Bibi then began practicing Anusura Yoga, which literally means flowing with grace and emphasizes movements that open your heart center or heart chakra. Later, she discovered Ashtanga yoga which is a series of poses, done in specific order with students moving on to the next pose only after gaining as strong foundation with their current pose. Bibi fell in love with the Ashtanga Primary Series, and began practicing 6 days a week as recommended even while on tour.

Bibi-McGill_Beyonce_OM-Times In 2004, Bibi was selected to participate in one of the most respected teacher training courses in Asia, possibly the world, Centered Yoga Thailand. Only 28 students were selected from all over the world to participate in this training. She started with 5 months of pre-course studies which included reading and writing assignments as well and documenting everything from when she practiced yoga to when she woke up and went to sleep. Even which nostrils were open or closed at different times of the day. All this Bibi did while touring for the Latin Rock group from Chile, La Ley. During the sixth month of studies, Bibi traveled to Ko Samui, Thailand for 5 weeks to complete her training. A typical day would include the study of meditation, mantra, sanskrit, diet and nutrition, ayurveda, pranayama, and kriyas. In addition, the students would practice the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series every morning and also an afternoon Classic Eight Limb Yoga practice 6 days a week.

A year after receiving certification to teach yoga, Bibi’s commitment with the musical tour ended. Frustrated with the music industry, she put away her guitar and began teaching yoga full time. She describes the year she taught as the most rewarding and balanced career-wise, and her intention was to never return to the music industry. Fortunately for her music fans, Beyoncé had other plans. Today, Bibi works as Beyonce’s lead guitarist and musical director. Bibi lives Portland, Oregon, the city she began calling home after completing her first tour with Beyoncé. Yoga remains a focal point in Bibi’s life and she continues to teach in the Portland area.

Look for Bibi to share her incredible knowledge of yoga with the world as she is currently creating her own yoga inspired instructional videos. Also look for Bibi’s Kale Chips in your local health food store or conscious grocery. This organic project is yet another facet of the multi-talented Bibi McGill.

OM Times Exclusive Interview

Bibi graciously agreed to giving us this quick fun interview and she honored us with her wit and sense of Humor. Thank you, Bibi, for the delightful time.

Omtime: What is your real name?

Bibi McGill: Belinda. My parents decided before I was born that my nickname would be Bibi so Bibi is just as much my real name.

Omtime: Do you have any nicknames?

Bibi McGill: Hmmmm? A lot of people call me Beebster or Beebs

Omtime: How you would classify your career? Tell us a funny story about yourself.

Bibi McGill: Hmmm? My career is what it is. I don’t really classify things as I just don’t think that way. It takes too much energy. I’m blessed to do what I do in music and have people enjoy it. I don’t know any funny stories about myself. Someone else could answer that better than me but I am pretty Goofy!!!

Omtime: What are you plans for the near future, can you tell us a little about your projects and dreams?

Bibi_McGill_OM-Times-2 Bibi McGill: Well now I’m really enjoying my new side job as a food processor. I have a raw, vegan, organic, gluten free snack called Bibi Kale Chips. They are totally delicious and about to replace the potato chip plus, they’re good for you. They are selling pretty well but I’m basically doing everything myself by hand. I’m currently looking for investors and funding to expand the company.

I want to build a facility that will handle the food processing as well as the shipping. I would like it to be on land where I can do organic farming of the kale and some of my ingredients throughout certain times of the year. Otherwise, I’ll use local suppliers.

I will incorporate green renewable energy sources as well as green building strategies. I will use some of my land to work with nonprofits such as Urban Farm Collective that teach kids and families living in urban communities to grow their own food. Eventually, I will add my own restaurant/cafe and a healing center that will offer yoga classes as well as nutritional therapy and other alternative healing modalities such as reiki, massage and healing with essential oils. Portland, OR is big on ‘food carts” so eventually I will invite different vegetarian, vegan and raw food carts to set up shop on my land to create a mini eco-village. In the meantime, I’ll looking to do a 3-part series of yoga instructional dvd’s with an street/urban flare.

Omtimes: if you had to change something in the world what would it be?

Bibi McGill: Honestly, I don’t focus on trying to change the world. I just focus on changing me.

Omtimes: Tell us 5 things that the public don’t know about you and are afraid to ask…

Bibi McGill: hahahaha….I make my dog Rock-it! dance with me and he likes it. I’m pretty much a recluse and prefer to be alone than be around dramatic and chaotic energy, Whenever I go swimming even if it’s in a pool, I think there are sharks and other sea creatures there, I love to eat BBQ pork ribs, I’m an Empath.

Omtimes: What is the best memory you have in your life.

Bibi McGill: My dog Nippy-Brown. RIP

Omtimes: Do you have favorite book or movie that inspired you, to the point that shifted your perspective on things?

Bibi McGill: “Earth Pleadian Keys to the Living Library” definitely jump started me to elevating my consciousness.

Omtimes: If you could and had the power to change the world in one way, what would you do? (only one answer)

Bibi McGill: MORE LOVE!!!!

What makes Kale incredible?

Bibi-Kale-Chips_OM-Times A very stimulating leafy green vegetable of the cruciferous family (think broccoli and cabbage), kale is abundant in good, wholesome nutrition.

Kale is one of the healthiest foods for our bones. It facilitates cellular function, skeletal repair, and cancer prevention. It is replete with vitamins, minerals, and various phytonutrients that support optimal vision, skin radiance, detoxification, muscle nourishment, mineral balance, weight loss, and optimal health.

Additionally, kale is green which is still close to its wild state — it is not as hybridized as other foods, such as oranges, bananas, and lettuce.

Kale is a very versatile green to work with, and as such it makes a delicious and truly nutritious crunchy snack when made into kale chips.

To learn More, please visit: http://www.bibikalechips.com

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