Music and Yoga
Much has been said on this topic already, all over the netherweb and the print media, but, for what it’s worth, here are my two cents.
Do I teach to music? Yes. always.
Do I practice to music? Yes, more often than not.
Let’s talk about the teaching first. I didn’t always play music while teaching. I taught with a silent backdrop, in the traditional way, even at the gym. But, you know, a little tinkly background music makes all the difference in a less-than-zen environment – it masks other noises, and gives people something to focus on other than their own minds. Since I believe that yoga is about getting into your body, so you can access your Heart, the seat of Intelligence, anything that assists the process is great. Especially music.
I play ambient, calm music as a background to teaching. This is partly because I have a soft voice and have trouble projecting it over music with more vibe, and partly because people have told me that they find music they recognize to be distracting. I have experienced this myself: in classes where pop music was played, and I didn’t like the songs, I found my experience of Yoga somewhat diluted.
My two all-time favourite albums to teach to are:
At Ease – Various
Spirit of Yoga – Ben Leinbach
(The links are to emusic because it is much cheaper than Itunes.)
Now, about music and my home practice. I don’t always play music for my own practice – there are days when all I want is a bit of stillness, especially when I am ‘peopled out’ and my voice is tired, because for some reason that also makes my ears hurt. Excessive throat chakra, perhaps?
But most of the time I play, as I have mentioned before, the music that gets me into mySelf, out of my head and into my Heart and body. This is clearly not going to be the same for me as it is for another person. In fact, I have been told by music snobs (usually guys), that my taste in music is questionable. So perhaps it’s a good thing I don’t play my own selections for teaching…
I think that if either the ‘ambient’ or the ‘emotive’ music approach works for you, go for it! I also think that if you prefer to practice in silence, that is great too. Whatever works.
I have a friend who plays Sigur Ros to practice to. I wouldn’t, but it works for her.
Currently on my ipod and in high rotation for home practice:
The Pure Love Project – Mark Whitwell, Reem and Shanee. This is my absolute favourite yoga album ever. Ever. Probably because I know all the chants; they are KYM standards, chanted in the Vedic way, with no weird tunes. I have to admit that singalong type chanting generally makes my teeth hurt.This isn’t that type. Of course, you already know that I am a fan of Mark Whitwell’s teachings.
Abnormally Attracted to Sin – Tori Amos. What can I say, it’s Tori. She is AMAZING. Also, sadly, only available on Itunes. No link love from me.
No Hassle – Tosca. This is a side project of one half of Kruder & Dorfmeister. I play it for teaching too. Very spacious.
Waking the Mystics – Sophie Lux. Discovered while trawling emusic for Tori. Loved the album art!
The Cosmic Game – Thievery Corporation. I will probably never tire of this album, as long as I rotate it from time to time. Again, no link because I have this in actual CD!
Now – Maxwell. Never get tired of this either, the man is a genius. And he has a new album due out this year. Again, this is an old album. I have the CD.
Carbon Glacier – Laura Veirs. Rapture. That’s all I have to say.
I hope this helps – lots and lots of you emailed me after that palimpsest post to ask about the music. Now you know my thoughts!
Hi, Nadine, how are you?
I love “Spirit of Yoga”. I think it’s a very nice album to practice with.I’ve had it for a long time. I had a teacher who played Sigur Ros very often and I liked it very much. Tori Amos’ is not my kind of music. I’ll check on the others you’ve mentioned. Yes, I think sometimes music can be very helpful to our practice bringing a nice “vibe”. Thanks for the post!
Hi Nadine,
This is cool. It’s quite early. I have been awake a while and the first thought I had when I woke up was wondering about your post on music and how much I was looking forward to reading your thoughts whenever you got the chance to write on the topic. So I log on to check email and read some stuff and your post on music is here. So cool.
I’m tripping abit on this post, I think it’s exactly what I would have said. Yes to the album ‘At Ease’ I play that when I am giving shiatsu often. Yes to music snobs questioning my taste, that’s the point when I normally start stressing just how much I love Fleetwood Mac and Elton John. Yes to Thievery Corporation and Laura Veirs (hello music snobs, we’re not doing too badly).
I also often choose music free for the exact same reason, sensory over-load. Thanks for sharing, maybe one day we can do a practice together and share our playlists. xox
Nadine! Was with Mark today, and will be again tomorrow. All I will say is: Oh. my. god.
Totally resonated with him and the weird thing was (ok, maybe not so weird) is that he gave me (and he did not do this with everyone) “darshan”, so to speak.
oh yeah… I don’t use music anymore…..but I WILL get Mark’s!
LOL at your comment about people questioning your musical taste. I admit to not listening to anything at home during yoga practice because I thought it might be too distracting. That is, not until I read your post today!
I had a quick listen to the Laura Veirs link … acoustic guitar, poetic lyrics, and female vocal … I like!
I think I might try listening to music in my yoga practise with this group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epgo8ixX6Wo&feature=channel
Take care
HS
actually some of my fave music to yoga to is jazz: Alice Coltrane (who was a yogini) and Miles Davis.
I love the Pure Love Project, too. And I love, love, love E-Music. I blogged about it last year.
The music is so much cheaper than ITunes and so much great yoga music on there. Some recent finds:
Scott Louden Space/Time
Mystic Sun: Deeperworlds
DJ Free & Brent Lewis: Yoga Groove
I’m still jealous that I couldn’t get to Mark’s Sydney gig – but have sneaky thoughts to go and see him wherever he is winter next year. He is awesome. The real deal.
Sounds like Linda Sama is having the Mark Whitwell experience as well. How lucky is that! I am double jealous (in the nicest way).
Hey, I’m coming to Melbourne in August, I should arrange to come and meet you for coffee or come to one of your classes (if you teach on Saturdays anywhere)
Thanks for the great suggestions. I can’t wait to check them out!