Yoga Music Playlist

A good playlist can really make a class. I personally enjoy teaching to music, and as a student, I love hearing what other instructors have on their playlists - it's kind of like a little peek into what's inspiring them lately. Whole classes or workshops can be built around music (much like Megan Currie's Metamorphasis workshop which was set to Philip Glass' album of the same name). The one thing I don't care for, however, is when instructors use the same music over and over again. It might be the best playlist on earth, but after hearing it again and again it can get old, you know? So I'm always exploring iTunes to see what I can find that would work for class. These are a few of my favorite recently discovered tunes that I've added to my yoga playlist. They're, in my opinion, beautiful for a power class.

1. Thunderclap by Dr. Toast.  Great to open the practice with.

2. Tulsa by Poolside. Slow, pretty, great for warming up.

3. Bounce dive by Helio. Downtempo, sort of haunting.

4. A Walk by Tycho. The prettiest, prettiest, prettiest song. Especially the beginning.

5. Man O To by Nu . Uptempo. Perfect for beginning the most challenging part of the practice.

6. Kidda by Natacha Atlas. Love this song. Reminds me of my Labanese roots. :)  It's uptempo, so best for the middle of your practice.

7. Dobro by Kaya Project. This is a really cool song - kind of like a dub step song with a few blues riffs and harmonica action. Still uptempo, great for the most challenging part of your practice.

8. Elegy by Tycho. Still a bit upbeat, but a great way to start slowing the practice down. 

9. Libanon 7 by Rayon. A soft instrumental featuring piano and cello - so pretty. 

10. A path with a heart by TJ Rehmi. Downtempo and gentle, good for winding down the practice. 

What do you enjoy listening to while practicing? Other playlists can be found here. 

Currently listening to...

It's been a while since I've done a playlist post for yoga practice (or it's great background music for studying, working, whatever). Some people prefer silence in class, and I get it- yoga was started thousands of years ago to the soundtrack of the breath so using music is obviously quite different from yoga's roots. I appreciate both types of classes, but prefer teaching and practicing to music. I am passionate about music- about good beats and sweet melodies, and I think a well thought out playlist can enhance the class. Just my humble opinion.  This particular playlist is great for a power class. Hope you enjoy.

​60 Min Power

1. Metamorphosis One - Philip Glass

2. Gentle Awakening - Dean Evenson & Soundings Ensemble

3. Devabandha - Tribal Matrix

4. Light - Dr. Toast (this whole album is awesome, actually)​

5. Mi Mujer - Nicolas Jaar

6. ​Song of the caged bird - Lindsay Stirling (another one whose album is great)

7. Ketto - Bonobo

8. Goddess Invocation - Go-Ray & Duke

9. The bicycle & the boardwalk - Nada Sadhana & ​Kevin Courtney

10. Near light - Olafur Arnalds

11. Latika's Theme - Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack

12. Shanti - MC Yogi

PS- More playlists for yoga, ​dancer's pose in motion, and everything you've ever wanted to know about your first yoga class.

Yoga Tunes: Power Playlist & An Exciting Announcement!

The last yoga music post I did was a mellow, pretty chill playlist. This time I'm featuring a power yoga playlist that is more moody. It's got a some singer/songwriter stuff in there with Fink and Cat Power, and some downtempo electronic stuff with a little homage to the 90's in the form of bands like Garbage and Sneaker Pimps. I've been using it a lot lately during my late afternoon practice. Hope you enjoy it, too.

Slightly related: I wanted to let you all know I'm teaching a Vinyasa Flow & Yoga Nidra workshop next Tuesday (July 24, 2012) in Canaan, Connecticut from 7-9pm. All levels are welcome- I'd love it if you'd join me! $20 if you pre-register, or $25 at the door. Click here for more details and tell all your friends about it on Facebook, too! 

Yoga Tunes

Practicing yoga in silence is a great way to go deeper and unify your body and mind, but some days the soundtrack of my breath just doesn't cut it, and I need some tunes. I like switching it up- sometimes I'll listen to world music, sometimes I'll listen to hip hop (surely I'm not the only yogi that likes Jay Z, right?) and other days I'll listen to singer/songwriter type stuff.  

I find that listening to music can really set the tone of a yoga practice, so if you're in need of some inspiration in the form of a melodic rendition of a Nirvana song, this playlist is for you. Here's my current favorite yoga playlist I've been using for my morning vinyasa practice for the past few days. Give it a listen- hope it compliments your practices, too!