Early in my Yoga career when teaching was more a hobby than anything else, I worked in the music industry. I spent most of my nights at concerts and would do a quick turn around to get up and go practice yoga in the morning.
At some point, this lifestyle was no longer sustainable (I think I am still catching up on lost sleep) and I had to choose between my two loves, music and yoga.
The hard decision had to be made and in the end I chose to follow the yoga path. However, music has never lost its hold on me.
When it comes to making yoga playlists, I take my time. When I am driving or writing my books I listen for songs that would be fun and appropriate to play during my Elemental Yin Yang Yoga class.
Yoga playlists however, are not to be taken lightly.
Yoga instructors guard their tunes as if they wrote the songs themselves. It’s a deep dark part of our yoga world.
Song names and artists are traded in the back office for nothing less than the price of your soul :)
But today, in a moment of sheer insanity, I am going to give you the names of my favourite yoga songs and although I ask for nothing in return, if you feel compelled, you can share a few of your own gems in the comment section below.
When I teach Yin Yang Yoga, I love to play music during the Yang flow and follow it up with sweet silence during the Yin portion of class. Here are the songs I am playing at the moment in the studio and in my own practice.
Universal Traveler - Air
This tune grants a lot of perspective and is perfect for yoga, or flying somewhere far, far away.
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Bill has staying power! The song is beautiful, full of love and easy to listen to. Even when I don't feel like practicing, this song never fails to uplift me and make me smile.
Spectrum (Say My Name) - Florence and the Machine (Calvin Harris remix)
The song is inspiring with beautiful lyrics, delivered by a world-class singer. I started to listen to this record after a powerful spiritual experience that began the biggest transformation of my life. The song is about that ecstatic movement…and it's fun to dance to.
Ocean Eyes - Billie Eilish (Astronomyy Edit)
My number one yoga jam right now. Like it was written to flow to.
Hot Hands - Darius
Ok, it's not a typical yoga song, but I love the simple production and the tempo is perfect for a Vinyasa flow.
Wildest Moments - Jessie Ware
I found this artist through another teacher (Thanks Anthony). The song is a reminder that we have the potential to be great, if we choose to be.
Mystified Heavy - Sam Roberts Band
I may be biased because this is a record I was really close to in my music industry days (check out the liner notes of Chemical City), but the lyrics are poetic and I love practicing to this song.
My top two choices for closing a class are:
To Build a Home - Cinematic Orchestra
This might be one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. The whole thing is brilliantly performed and the production is simple and spacious. (A note to teachers: If you play this song as your last, have Kleenex available. Be attentive and supportive for your students because someone always cries during this one - heck, you might too)
Falling or Flying - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Another power-house voice and one of my all time favourite lyrics: "my friend this too shall pass, so play every show like it's your last".