You don’t have to rub crystals and listen to Yanni to get into the practice of yoga. Music and yoga are both a big part of my life, and both bring me a great deal of joy. Listening to great music while practicing yoga is my idea of nirvana. Sometimes that music is the sound of the waves, and sometimes it can be silence. I’m not a fan of the harpy, Zen-like genre of yoga music. I like to include upbeat music in my class playlists. Sometimes that means a song has a little soul or maybe even a little rap (thank you MC Yogi), and then I always throw in a few mellow slow-dance songs for warm ups and savasana cool downs. As my yoga teaching has evolved, so have my playlists, and I’m tending to play more music without any lyrics. The good news: I’ve been able to find some really awesome music that is still upbeat, but does not distract. I’ve been writing about my favorite upbeat yoga music for a while, so here are a few past blog entries you may want to check out.
“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul Create the symphony of life.” -B.K.S. Iyengar
“Yoga is almost like music in a way; there’s no end to it.” -Sting
Yoga Class Playlists
Yoga Songs for the Sangha, The Road, and Soundtracks – three great new yoga music CDs to fill up your yoga class playlists!
Yoga Class Playlist Nirvana – Jahta Beat The Lotus Memoirs by DJ Drez
MC Yogi Pilgrimage – The New Yoga Playlist Must Have!
Covers, Acoustical, and Chinmaya – Oh, My!
Smileasana – A yoga class theme and playlist full of songs that will make you smile!
Expanding My Yoga Musical Horizons
Can You Name This Mystery Musical Diva
Embrace Your Inner Goddess – An All Female Artist Playlist
New Year’s Rockin Eve – Yoga Class Playlist
Cool Yoga Music – CD Reviews
Songs for the Sangha | Deva Premal, Miten, and Manose
The Road | Avasa & Matthew Love
Yoga Soundtracks Volume 1 | Ben Leinbach
Mantras, Beats & Meditations – MC Yogi
Jahta Beat The Lotus Memoirs by DJ Drez – Yoga Class Playlist Nirvana
This IS Soul Kirtan! Lady in Red C.C. White – Bringing Soul Kirtan
Pilgrimage – MC Yogi
Favorite Savasana Songs
“Be Here Now” by Ray LaMontagne Tops the All Time Best Savasana Song List
Favorite Savasana Songs, “Glitter in the Air” by Pink
Aqueous Transmission Makes the Favorite Savasana Song List
Yoga Rocks
Yoga Theme Songs
Today is Going to Be The Best Day of My Life
Up On a Yoga Mat (Yoga Song Parody of Up On The Roof)
Take Your Passion, And Make it Happen!
Get Lost in Your Mind A Lovely (Yoga) Day and awesome song parody!
You Just Got to Believe – Believe in Yourself!
My New Yoga Theme Song – “This Will Be” an Everlasting Love for Yoga
“Give Love” a Hip-Hop Yoga Anthem courtesy of MC Yogi
“Let Love Rule” My New Yoga Theme Song
[Your City Name Goes Here] Rock City! (Yes, even a Kiss song can be a yoga theme song)
I’m A Breath Believer – A Yoga Theme Song Parody
Featured Yoga Playlist Artists
Featured Yoga Playlist Artist: Chrissie Hynde
Featured Yoga Playlist Artist: Lenny Kravitz
Since I’m obsessed with creating the perfect yoga playlist, please leave your comments, suggestions, and favorite artists below! I’d love to hear about your favorite upbeat yoga music and CD recommendations. Music Symbol Illustration: Billy Alexander