A few weeks ago I shared my latest yoga theme song, “You Get What You Give,” but never got around to sharing the yoga class playlist it was a part of. So, without further delay, here’s the music that embellished the mudras and mantras of a few of my May yoga classes.
Opening Grounding and Warm-ups
“Like Rain/Radhe Bolo” · David Newman/Mira
Still high from my virgin kirtan experience, I’ve been exploring the world of kirtan and stumbled upon David Newman. I’m going to a Krishna Das concert later in June, so I’m thinking there will be some more kirtan tunes showing up in my playlists.
“Freedom” · Jim Brickman
“For the Summer” · Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs
Ever since I heard “Be Here Now” (which happens to be on my all-time top savasana songs list), I’ve been a huge fan of Ray LaMontagne. I love Ray’s story. He was working in a shoe factory and heard “Tree Top Flyer” by Stephen Sills as he was waking up for work one morning and decided to shuck the job and pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. Worked out pretty well for him!
Standing — Sun Salutations and Flowing Sequences (e.g., yoga-mat dancing)
“Light You Up” · Shawn Mullins
This song from Shawn’s CD titled “Light You Up” pretty much sums up my goal in every yoga class: I just want to light you up! When I first heard this song, I knew I had to plug it into a playlist. Favorite line: Everybody wanna lick a your ice cream!
“F**kin’ Perfect” · Pink
Before you get all freaked out that I was openly dropping the f-bomb in my classes, rest assured that I picked up the PG version with the f-bombs conveniently dubbed out. The song still rocks without the profanity and conveys one of the core teachings of yoga: to love and accept yourself and your body.
“Pretty pretty please, don’t you ever, ever feel like you’re, less than, less than perfect. You are perfect to me.”
Sending a big thank-you out to Dave Frenz (@Frenzy36) for offering the suggestion to add this song! I loved the message that it sent out to my students.
“You Get What You Give” · New Radicals
The song title says it all. This song was my yoga theme song and the theme of the class.
“Waiting for the World to Change” · John Mayer
Floor — Back Bends, Heart Openers, Hip Openers, Abdominals, and Twists
“Daydreamer” · Adele
Adele’s gorgeous voice accompanied only by a strumming guitar = nirvana! This song is from Adele’s CD titled 19, aptly named because she wrote the music when she was a mere 19 years old. Her CD titled 21 is equally impressive. I highly recommend both.
“Fields of Gold” · Sting
Actually, I’m surprised I have not had more Sting popping up on the playlists. I need to get on that. Would really love to include “Roxanne” on a playlist, but not so sure a song about a prostitute would evoke good yoga vibes.
“The Sweetest Gift” · Sade
“Antes de las Seis” · Shakira
This song by Shakira is sung completely in Spanish. I had no idea what the lyrics meant, and, to be honest, that didn’t really matter to me. I just love the feeling and emotion that flow out of Shakira. My curiosity got the best of me, though, and I looked up the translation for the lyrics online as I was writing this post. Bugger; I have to admit I was a little disappointed to find out the real meaning of the song.
“Bolo Ram” · Wah!
Savasana
“Purnamadah” · From Putamayo Presents: Yoga – Shantala
I highly recommend the Putamayo Presents: Yoga album, which includes 14 yoga playlist-worthy songs. Shantala is the music of duo Heather and Benjy Wertheimer. Take a listen and you’ll know why this song makes a perfect background for savasana. I’m digging the flutey/lutey instrument in the background. I need to research what this sacred chant means, but, meanwhile, it is taking me to a heavenly place.
“Sammasati” · Deva Premal
If you are a yogini, you gotta love Deva. No words in this one, just lots of ooh, ooh, ooh, oohs and a yogalicious savasana wake-up call.
Candle Image: Sabina Graczyk
Love to get your feedback on my playlists. Tell me what you like to listen to in yoga class or if you prefer silence?
LOVE the song Perfect! I saw the video and I think of my own kids every time I hear it. I hope that all of my kids feel that they are perfect to me! Wish I could have taken this class with you! Namaste, my friend.
I like your choices = fun play list
putomayo has so many excellent collections! 😀
LOVE your playlists. I look forward to your posts. I prefer the modern stuff to the new age/chants, but that’s just me 🙂 Keep ’em coming!
Wonderful play list! LOVE Ray LaMontagne and have downloaded some of his music too. I spend way too much time on my yoga play lists but get good feedback from my students. Music is sometimes what brings us out of our shell. However at times silence is good too, especially in Savasana if it is raining outdoors and you can hear the rain. Or if there are bird or other nature sounds….
Thank you for your generous sharing….I am beginning to burn out on trying to come up with new playlists for my classes, and have found some new inspiration here. xo and namaste!
Just to let you know, I bought I just want to light you up and have been teaching my warrior sequences to it this week and they rock and my students love it!! What an amazing track – thank you. I hope to return the favour – I followed this track into more rocking standing flows to ‘Get a Move On’ by Mr Scruff (album Keep it Unreal). Lx