I’ve witnessed this becoming a rather controversial topic, at least in yoga circles. I’m part of a private, large online community for yoga teachers and have seen a few low-key arguments about silence/’traditional’ or ‘sacred’ music/ themed music classes in discussions. Have you ever been put off by a class because of the music or bored because there wasn’t enough? Have you tried a themed class by musical genre (hip hop and heavy metal are two I’ve seen advertised)? Do you think those classes stray too far from the essence of yoga or bring it a welcomed fresh appeal? Have you been to a sacred music festival - like Yoga Mela?
One might consider that the musically themed classes are also tapping into different cultures — for better or worse. Check out this Instagram post (and the comments) from Angie Tiwari to see what I mean. I’m not saying whether I agree or disagree, by the way :)
I’m wondering what you all listen to when you practice yoga? I’m talking about really the intentional time (on a mat or whatever), not the yoga that happens all day long. Are you listening to music? If so, what’s on your playlist (or do you have a link to one you could share)?
I’ve been at studios that vary greatly from no music to Indian instrumental to indie pop. Interestingly, the music didn’t always match the style - one of my most traditional teachers who happened to be Indian would play light, popular music. Another Thai teacher who taught Jivamukti classes used the harmonium (pictured) for some chanting at the start of class, which I found really refreshing. She explained the language first and we each had music books to look at while we waited on the mats.
At home, I’m happy to practice yoga silently but often put on some tunes. It ranges from my favorite indie-alternative stuff (The National, Radiohead, Bastille…) to hip hop (Kendrick Lamar is great for yoga, both the send and the empowering messages of self love and forgiveness, especially in the song i) to whatever is on a few playlists I follow. It depends on my mood. Meditation I like to do without music, whether moving or seated.
I’ll also add that when I run - which is a kind of meditation for me - I never listen to music and it strikes me as odd when I see people (even my husband) run with headphones. But this doesn’t mean I’m against it; a few ‘pure’ runners I know get a little angry at the sight of headphones-whilst-running. My husband, on the other hand, loves it and also listens to about a million podcasts this way. I think it’s partly how you come to a practice and engage with it, perhaps also where you do it. On a treadmill is the one place I will listen to music, but I’ve only used those whilst training on Boston’s frozen tundra before the marathon once upon a time. Maybe it’s an indoor/outdoor thing for me! Just adding this for perspective…
How does sound change or shape your practice? What sounds are appropriate for yoga practice / studios?
Have a great day, no matter what you’re listening to! (Oh my, this got long. 😉)
Mmm lots of mixed views around this but I feel that if it is something that resonates with the teacher/practitioner and allows them to deepen their practice, then so be it. Having danced almost my entire life both for leisure and as a career, music really has a way of getting into my heart. Now as a yoga teacher I play music during my classes but I curate the playlists to flow with the movements, making sure the sound “peaks” when we are perhaps in the peak stage of class, with it slowing down perhaps more quiet towards Savasana. I believe that sound is incredibly healing whether it’s live with singing bowls/harmonium or a soundtrack, provided it has been intentionally selected and if there are lyrics that they are of a yogic nature. I try create a sound journey to carry my students through their practice from beginning to end, as I believe it can help with experiencing the postures on a somatic level especially. My students have said to me that the music I choose really helps them to focus and also release, which aligns with the intentions of a yoga practice. That said, I love doing my personal āsana practice in silence too.
Re: the tweet thread about white women twirking in down dog.
First off, yes, twirking in down dog feels inappropriate. However, listening to hip hop music while practicing yoga and calling it appropriation feels like a reach. If that is the case, all of yoga is an appropriation. We, as white people, who practice yoga with or without music are appropriating then.
Side note: yoga was never meant to be practiced by *any* woman. So the conversation feels DOA. If we return to the original goal of the practice, it never meant to include women, so I guess we are appropriating from the original patriarchal norms.
I have been practicing yoga for 10 years, with and without music. I don't claim either way is a higher form. And as someone else has mentioned, music can be a gateway to yoga. Some people may come for the music and flow, and stay for the peace. To each their own. As long as we are respecting cultures, traditions, and people.
When I used to go to a yoga class in a leisure centre it was held on the same evening as a step aerobics class. The music was audible and not really conducive to relaxation! My preference would probably be for silence. Conversely years ago when I used to run it was always with headphones unless I was with someone else. A beat that matched my pace made the running easier.
Oh, I love this discussion! I'll be checking back later to see how it develops, but first some initial thoughts...when I first attended yoga classes 2 decades ago, the couple of teachers I practised with always played a soundtrack - generally of the running water, relaxing style, although one of them sometimes played more upbeat music. The classes were all more of a vinyasa flow style, so I really enjoyed the more upbeat sound. Moving house and needing to find new classes, I was surprised that they didn't play any music! I really missed it at first, but have got used to it. My current teacher does a mixture of silence or a steady chanting music, which I find really gets me in the zone, although I find it difficult to get it out of my head all day! For my own home practice, I usually listen to a more modern, relaxing playlist on Spotify, a classical playlist, or I like the old Zero 7 album Simple Things, which always signals to me that it's time to do yoga! As for hip hop and other stuff, I haven't encountered these types of classes, but I think they sound fun! I enjoy moving to music that feels upbeat! I used to go to a really good class called Body Balance, run by my very first yoga teacher, which combined yoga, tai chi and pilates and set to a really upbeat pop/rock soundtrack. It took place on a Sunday morning and I remember feeling invincible afterwards 😀
I've only ever practiced yoga at home, with help from on-screen instructors. And I don't thiiink I have much of a preference when thinking of those that include music and those that instruct/record in silence? If I do have a preference, it's not something I'm completely aware of just yet, but perhaps I'll be more in tune with it now.
I loved the bit you included about how you and your husband differ with audio while running. Running was something I came to not all that long ago and when I run in the city, which is often, I definitely listen to music or podcasts. Whereas if I'm running, say, in the woods, or on the beach, I don't listen to anything but the breeze and the birds.
I think that when running in the city, all the man-made noises just make me feel anxious. Car horns. Engines. Street sweepers. Etc. Like I can't even hear my own breath. But when in natural spaces, I savor the sounds of the environment.
Since I’m somewhat obsessive about music and also about yoga, the two interests can sometimes get in the way of each other--because sometimes music that I’m particularly interested in listening to closely can distract from my focus during practice. That said, at my studio the teachers use a variety of music, from traditional Indian to Radiohead to Rachmaninov, but they have the knack of matching the music and volume to the particular sequence, so it’s rarely distracting. But silence can be good too! (How’s that for an equivocal answer?)
Puts me off if the music has lyrics that are really out of context and make me focus on them rather than what yoga is all about in the moment. No question, crazy music is not for yoga.
For me it depends on the style of yoga and also teacher though in terms of what feels best. There are some where the class is so good, you don’t even remember afterwards wether it was with or without music as it didn’t interfere.
Others haven’t mastered the art of holding space yet and whatever they chose, with or without music doesn’t feel right.
Music should take over the main role and be only subtle.
At home I practice 90% without music. Sometimes I need it to get into flow state and be held by something that sets the scene and blocks out outside noise.
Since I play crystal alchemy bowls, I like to end yoga in more restorative postures and add sound of the bowls either as recordings for myself or play for others.
Never thought of music in a session like this. I guess it depends on the feeling of the person. You could go full tilt and play beni-sync at the same time. PS Great indie music taste 😁
I've been teaching yoga since the mid-90s. Krishna Das was huge (still is) back in the early 2000s, and I always incorporated his music into my classes. That led to other "yoga music" from artists like Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Steve Gold, Donna De Lory, Tina Malia, Brenda McMorrow, Deva Premal & Mitten, Davin Newman, Rasa, and so many others. What a yoga-music genre we have now in 2023! I'm shocked there isn't a Grammy award category yet. I transitioned online two years ago, closing my studio of 14 years. I've never been happier and have continued to stream music from my vast Spotify library for my students during my classes, while listening on my teaching-end through ear pods. My studio name is "Bhadra Yoga," and one of my "golden oldies" playlists on there is simply titled, "Bhadra." Everything is publicly available under my name: Melanie McLeod.
There is more out of touch with the individual in any given class than just the music. The nature of groups. So it might just take some searching to find a class that suits from all aspects, including the music/silence.
Personally, music helps me get out of my head...but if it isn’t aligned with my energy at any given moment it is aggravating. Generally I love music in any flow sequence if it matches the movement and my pace. I use Yiruma’s classic piano piece River Flows in You, with my leading hands flow. A favourite with my vinyasa flow is John Williams ‘Across the Stars’ from the Star Wars soundtrack.
As you can probably tell by my fussy comments I prefer my own personal practice than group classes. It is also why I don’t teach groups and prefer one-to-one sessions.
Mmm lots of mixed views around this but I feel that if it is something that resonates with the teacher/practitioner and allows them to deepen their practice, then so be it. Having danced almost my entire life both for leisure and as a career, music really has a way of getting into my heart. Now as a yoga teacher I play music during my classes but I curate the playlists to flow with the movements, making sure the sound “peaks” when we are perhaps in the peak stage of class, with it slowing down perhaps more quiet towards Savasana. I believe that sound is incredibly healing whether it’s live with singing bowls/harmonium or a soundtrack, provided it has been intentionally selected and if there are lyrics that they are of a yogic nature. I try create a sound journey to carry my students through their practice from beginning to end, as I believe it can help with experiencing the postures on a somatic level especially. My students have said to me that the music I choose really helps them to focus and also release, which aligns with the intentions of a yoga practice. That said, I love doing my personal āsana practice in silence too.
Re: the tweet thread about white women twirking in down dog.
First off, yes, twirking in down dog feels inappropriate. However, listening to hip hop music while practicing yoga and calling it appropriation feels like a reach. If that is the case, all of yoga is an appropriation. We, as white people, who practice yoga with or without music are appropriating then.
Side note: yoga was never meant to be practiced by *any* woman. So the conversation feels DOA. If we return to the original goal of the practice, it never meant to include women, so I guess we are appropriating from the original patriarchal norms.
I have been practicing yoga for 10 years, with and without music. I don't claim either way is a higher form. And as someone else has mentioned, music can be a gateway to yoga. Some people may come for the music and flow, and stay for the peace. To each their own. As long as we are respecting cultures, traditions, and people.
The closest I've come to music during Yoga is listening to a recording of Vedic chanting after (not during) yoga and meditation. I prefer silence.
When I used to go to a yoga class in a leisure centre it was held on the same evening as a step aerobics class. The music was audible and not really conducive to relaxation! My preference would probably be for silence. Conversely years ago when I used to run it was always with headphones unless I was with someone else. A beat that matched my pace made the running easier.
Oh, I love this discussion! I'll be checking back later to see how it develops, but first some initial thoughts...when I first attended yoga classes 2 decades ago, the couple of teachers I practised with always played a soundtrack - generally of the running water, relaxing style, although one of them sometimes played more upbeat music. The classes were all more of a vinyasa flow style, so I really enjoyed the more upbeat sound. Moving house and needing to find new classes, I was surprised that they didn't play any music! I really missed it at first, but have got used to it. My current teacher does a mixture of silence or a steady chanting music, which I find really gets me in the zone, although I find it difficult to get it out of my head all day! For my own home practice, I usually listen to a more modern, relaxing playlist on Spotify, a classical playlist, or I like the old Zero 7 album Simple Things, which always signals to me that it's time to do yoga! As for hip hop and other stuff, I haven't encountered these types of classes, but I think they sound fun! I enjoy moving to music that feels upbeat! I used to go to a really good class called Body Balance, run by my very first yoga teacher, which combined yoga, tai chi and pilates and set to a really upbeat pop/rock soundtrack. It took place on a Sunday morning and I remember feeling invincible afterwards 😀
I've only ever practiced yoga at home, with help from on-screen instructors. And I don't thiiink I have much of a preference when thinking of those that include music and those that instruct/record in silence? If I do have a preference, it's not something I'm completely aware of just yet, but perhaps I'll be more in tune with it now.
I loved the bit you included about how you and your husband differ with audio while running. Running was something I came to not all that long ago and when I run in the city, which is often, I definitely listen to music or podcasts. Whereas if I'm running, say, in the woods, or on the beach, I don't listen to anything but the breeze and the birds.
I think that when running in the city, all the man-made noises just make me feel anxious. Car horns. Engines. Street sweepers. Etc. Like I can't even hear my own breath. But when in natural spaces, I savor the sounds of the environment.
Since I’m somewhat obsessive about music and also about yoga, the two interests can sometimes get in the way of each other--because sometimes music that I’m particularly interested in listening to closely can distract from my focus during practice. That said, at my studio the teachers use a variety of music, from traditional Indian to Radiohead to Rachmaninov, but they have the knack of matching the music and volume to the particular sequence, so it’s rarely distracting. But silence can be good too! (How’s that for an equivocal answer?)
Puts me off if the music has lyrics that are really out of context and make me focus on them rather than what yoga is all about in the moment. No question, crazy music is not for yoga.
For me it depends on the style of yoga and also teacher though in terms of what feels best. There are some where the class is so good, you don’t even remember afterwards wether it was with or without music as it didn’t interfere.
Others haven’t mastered the art of holding space yet and whatever they chose, with or without music doesn’t feel right.
Music should take over the main role and be only subtle.
At home I practice 90% without music. Sometimes I need it to get into flow state and be held by something that sets the scene and blocks out outside noise.
Since I play crystal alchemy bowls, I like to end yoga in more restorative postures and add sound of the bowls either as recordings for myself or play for others.
Never thought of music in a session like this. I guess it depends on the feeling of the person. You could go full tilt and play beni-sync at the same time. PS Great indie music taste 😁
I've been teaching yoga since the mid-90s. Krishna Das was huge (still is) back in the early 2000s, and I always incorporated his music into my classes. That led to other "yoga music" from artists like Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Steve Gold, Donna De Lory, Tina Malia, Brenda McMorrow, Deva Premal & Mitten, Davin Newman, Rasa, and so many others. What a yoga-music genre we have now in 2023! I'm shocked there isn't a Grammy award category yet. I transitioned online two years ago, closing my studio of 14 years. I've never been happier and have continued to stream music from my vast Spotify library for my students during my classes, while listening on my teaching-end through ear pods. My studio name is "Bhadra Yoga," and one of my "golden oldies" playlists on there is simply titled, "Bhadra." Everything is publicly available under my name: Melanie McLeod.
There is more out of touch with the individual in any given class than just the music. The nature of groups. So it might just take some searching to find a class that suits from all aspects, including the music/silence.
Personally, music helps me get out of my head...but if it isn’t aligned with my energy at any given moment it is aggravating. Generally I love music in any flow sequence if it matches the movement and my pace. I use Yiruma’s classic piano piece River Flows in You, with my leading hands flow. A favourite with my vinyasa flow is John Williams ‘Across the Stars’ from the Star Wars soundtrack.
As you can probably tell by my fussy comments I prefer my own personal practice than group classes. It is also why I don’t teach groups and prefer one-to-one sessions.