MUSIC & MOOD
How do you feel about music versus no music during a practice? I can’t say I’m an ‘absolutely must or must not’ instructor when it comes to music. My preference between the two is influenced by the venue, style of practice and my mood.
Having said that, there’s something really special about yoga or meditation without background music. The beauty of being steeped in a practice without the added sensory layer is a treat because in silence, we may become more focused on being with ourselves; sensing emotions without them blending into other things.
One of my biggest teaching joys is creating the perfect musical experience to compliment a practice. While some feel that music may be a distraction, I believe that a thoughtfully designed playlist can elevate and deepen your connection to the moment. Keyword being thoughtfully.
I notice music in any environment I’m in. My musical antennae are on point and I often hear music when others might not. This ‘skill’ is residual from a childhood where my parents almost obsessively made my brother and I listen to classical music at home, in the car and at concerts. We were taught to memorize the names of composers, the years and titles of music selections, what orchestra played them, and what conductor led them. My parents also believed that classical pieces were the only good and wholesome melodies that anyone should listen to. Anything else was satanic. My brother and I lived and breathed years of classical piano and cello lessons, Tafelmusik concerts at Toronto’s Massey Hall, and had our names engraved on seats at Roy Thompson Hall. This narrow-scoped exposure to music drove me to dislike it.
In early adulthood and especially during my yoga teacher training, I became reacquainted with music. I cautiously explored different genres and was pleasantly surprised when subliminal demonic messages didn’t flood my head. With the remnants of my musical antennae still in place, I began to hear different music and hear music differently. This ‘new’ music stirred up emotions in me that weren’t dull, resentful, or inpatient. My ears perked up and I observed my reactions and connections between music and mood. As an adult I had the freedom to choose what I listened to, and as an instructor, I could select and control what I played in my classes.
These days, when a song catches my attention, I envision which practice I’ll slide it into and I even decide at what point during the practice it will be played. In the instructor’s seat, I’m afforded the opportunity to create a vibe and mood during movement and meditation. I love how the right music invites people to sink deeper into a practice.
My Music page has several of my tried and true playlists. Have a listen and let me know if you try one out. In the meantime, I’d love for you to tell me about your favourite song(s) and what mood it creates for you. Below is my recipe for putting together a playlist that will compliment your home practice or a class you’re teaching.
ENJOY!
How to create powerful yoga playlists:
Match your playlist to the pace and type of the practice
Be thoughtful about what songs you choose and what order they’re played in
Centering and savasana songs - my rule of thumb is to not use more than one song for these parts of the practice. It’s a small detail but it could feel choppy and jarring if the flow is interrupted. I keep a collection of centering and savasana songs that are at least seven minutes long
Know the ‘shape/pattern’ of your class. This means, know how your class is structured. Some examples:
A Hatha practice gradually peaks from slightly slower and minimal lyrics as you build heat or approach a pinnacle pose. It then moves to a cool down and savasana. For this class, you’d play your highest bpm and energetic songs around the middle of your playlist and pad either end with a bit lower paced songs
The Sweat & Surrender (Yang Yin) music pattern will be centering, warm-up and peak at the halfway point. Then, the remainder of your class will be ethereal background music, leading into a one-song savasana
Yin and Meditation classes will be slow and low bpm throughout the whole practice. I often use one piece of music that is at least 60 minutes long so there are no song transitions
Be mindful of lyrics. If you’re choosing to play lyrical songs, screen them and avoid themes that may be triggers (this is tough as we really don’t know what each student’s life experiences have been). Music in other languages is perfect to add to your repertoire and make for a really nice vibe, but I’d suggest having a sense of what the overarching message or phrases translate to
Pick a platform that you’ll use to build your playlists in e.g. Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music
Create folders that you can add curated songs to. These will help you organize and arrange your collection so you can quickly and easily find suitable songs for your playlists. Some folders that I have set up include: Savasana, Gentle, Yin, Lyrics, No Lyrics, Upbeat, Covers, Other language
Get the Shazam app so you can quickly nab a song you hear and want to use in a practice later
Use a time calculator to plan your song list down to the minute
Avoid using a pre-made playlist before you’ve listened to it. This is risky for obvious reasons :)
Fade in and out seamlessly with volume control. If you need to switch gears during a song, slowly fade out then back in with a more appropriate piece. It’s jarring to suddenly stop and start a different song. Spotify has a feature called crossfade that softly overlaps the beginning of a song to the ending of the previous one. Using this feature is like adding icing on top of a work of art!
Be creative and not play the same playlist week after week. I rarely play one playlist more than once (I know, this is a little extreme!) In the very least, I change the centering and/or savasana song. I add the date into the playlist name and when some months have gone by, I’ll swap out a few of the songs to refresh the set
Have one go-to playlist available for each style you practice or teach. If music is an after-thought for you, or you’re not confident creating one, feel free to use one of my Favourite Playlist Pairings
For instructors: add in a handful of pre and post-class songs to your playlist. These extra songs will set the mood as students arrive and settle in and be playing while your students gather up their things and leave the space. These extra little touches enhance the time that you’re holding space for
Silence is golden - enjoy a practice or teach without music once in a while. It’s just as beautiful!
Above all, remember that people are trusting you to guide them through an experience. Be mindful with your selections and don’t take for granted that folks have chosen to spend an hour of their life with you. Treat that choice humbly and kindly :)