Yikes, it’s been a few months since I posted a Daily Downward Dog yoga class playlist. Sorry about that!

My playlists have morphed into a mix of mellower music with fewer words in the songs mashed up with some more lively tunes for the flowing sequences of class. I’ve really been into Chinmaya Dunster and am also using some of the tracks I picked up at Tadasana Festival. And, I didn’t realize it until I put this playlist on paper, but it’s really heavy on covers of classic rock and reggae songs.

The list of songs below represents a playlist I used last week and also includes a few additional favorites from playlists earlier this year.

Opening Breath Meditation and Warm Up

Ong So Hung” – The Guru Singh Experience

This track is a whopping 22:15 minutes of blissful ong so hung-ing from Guru Singh. I actually started this track before class began to provide a peaceful zen-like mood for the students to settle into and then used it as the backdrop for the opening breath meditation.

Ong means creative consciousness, and so hung means “I am Thou.” Chanting the word “hung” stimulates and opens the heart chakra.

Guru Singh Performing Live at Tadasana Festival

I was lucky to attend Guru Singh’s Heart Centered Living yoga class at Tadasana Festival, and it was awesome to hear him sing live as he took us through an insightful and calming practice that taught me a lot about compassion (more on that to come in a future post).

 

Manipuri Megh” – Chinmaya Dunster & The Celtic Ragas Band – Fragrance of the East: Live in India

Mellow, mystical, flowing flute music is perfect to move through warm-up asanas. I am in love with Chinmaya Dunster’s music for yoga classes, and my favorite track of his is used below for savasana.

 

Standing Asanas and Flow

Never Know” – Jack Johnson – In Between Dreams

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRZ0CsqVY4U[/youtube]

 

The Sound of Sunshine” – Michael Franti & Spearhead –  The Sound of Sunshine

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqgHosrqJ8o[/youtube]

This is my prerequisite reggae song (because every yoga class needs one), and “The Sound of Sunshine” is the perfect theme song to accompany sun salutations. Watch this video and I guarantee you’ll get happy!

 

“Daniel” – Fisher & Friends – Acoustic Café 2

Kathleen Fisher’s sultry vocals and stripped down instrumentals make this Elton John classic perfect for class. This CD came out in 2007 and has quite a few more keepers (including “Imagine” and “Landslide”) that I’ll be using in future playlists.

 

Opportunity” – Pete Murray – See the Sun

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9TlDXSQfs0[/youtube]

Great message in this song:

Your coffee’s warm but your milk is sour
Life is short but you’re here to flower
Dream yourself along another day
Never miss opportunity

Don’t be scared of what you cannot see
Your only fear is possibility
Never wonder what the hell went wrong
Your second chance may never come along

 

 “Redemption Song” – Michael McDonald – Soul Speak

More reggae, but this time the classic Bob Marley song is expertly covered by Michael McDonald. It’s hard to describe Michael’s voice – raspy, soulful, and truly unique. I’ve been a long-time fan, and this is not the first time he’s graced one of my playlists.

 

Floor – Back Bends, Heart Openers, Hip Openers, Abdominals, and Twists

Hey Jude” – Roberta Flack – Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIGw6W6iIMU[/youtube]

Two words: Roberta, The Beatles (ok, technically that’s three). That’s all you need to know. Singing goddess Roberta’s take on this Beatles classic is stellar, and the rest of the tracks on this album kick ass too. I’ll be using her versions of “Here, There, and Everywhere” and “Let it Be” on future playlists.

 

Breathe Me” – Sia Furler – Colour the Small One

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSH7fblcGWM[/youtube]

 

“Guru Sloka” – Masood Ali Khan

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGsmRGoxPEs[/youtube]

I love the little dancing girl in this video!

Check out this article and the pictures of Masood from the May edition of LA Yoga (he’s not hard on the eyes!). I got to hear him play at Tadasana Festival, loved him, and you will too!

Masood (2nd from left) performing live with Wah! at Tadasana Festival in a class led by Sara Ivanhoe

Savasana

On Sacred Ground (Fourth or Heart Chakra)” – Chinmaya Dunster – Yoga On Sacred Ground

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPLaCv3Hgk4[/youtube]

Every yoga teacher needs to have this CD. Every song is perfect for the more mellow parts of class. This by far is my favorite cut.

 

I’m digging the vibe this playlist sets, and I hope you do too. As always, I would love your feedback or to hear about any great songs you’ve recently used for yoga class playlists.

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