Yogic music can be exhilarating, uplifting, inspiring, or gentle and
soothing. There are advantages and disadvantages to listening to music
during your own Yoga practice or while teaching a Yoga class. Some types
of music, such as rock and roll or rhythm and blues, may invigorate
your practice or class or may become a distraction to the dharana or
one-pointed focus of the practice. On the other hand, music that is
gentle, ambient, and soothing may add a mystical and relaxing element to
a Yoga session, but it may also dampen or calm the energy of the
practitioners down too much if this type of music is played at an
inappropriate time during a Yoga class.
Music that is very upbeat
will add an element of fun, familiarity, and exuberant joy to a Yoga
class or a personal session. There are a number of well-known Yoga
teachers who play musical tracts from groups like the Rolling Stones,
Michael Franti, Bob Marley, and so on. These types of songs may help to
raise our energy during a class so that we can jump more quickly back
into Downward Facing Dog, but they may also prevent us from focusing on
the more subtle aspects inherent in practicing Yoga asanas, mudras,
bandhas and pranayama techniques.
Focusing on the ocean-sound of
Ujjayi breathing is one of the core practices of Ashtanga Yoga. If
"Jumping Jack Flash" is playing loudly over the studio speakers, the
music may become a deterrent to maintaining a strong focus on your
Ujjayi breathing practice. So, regardless if you are a Yoga instructor
or practitioner, playing upbeat and inspiring musical tracks during your
class or personal practice must be balanced with attention to the finer
details of correct alignment, internal locks, and specific pranayama
techniques of a well-rounded Yoga practice.
Yoga music that is
soft, soothing, and ambient, is a wonderful complement to a restorative
Yoga session, to the warm-up, and during the savasana period of a class.
Music that is too relaxing and soothing in nature, may have the
unintended effect of cooling the fire down during the heat of a Yoga
session, such as: During the practice of Sun Salutations, Vinyasa flows,
or strenuous asanas. In this case, playing gentle Yoga music may work
best during the final resting period of your class or personal Yoga
session. When played at an appropriate time, relaxing music will
complement and enhance a quieter, more contemplative portion of your
personal Yoga practice or class.
