In its simplest form, Yoga music is music designed to facilitate our experience of a yoga practice. For the yogis, the sounds of Krishna Das or Jai Uttal can establish an appropriate climate for practising asana. For Kundalini yogis, artists such as Snatam Kaur or Gurunam Singh can record music at specific rhythms or time periods to accompany certain kriyas or meditations. Yoga music can also be instrumental, such as the gong or crystal bowls, whose vibrations ■■■■■■■■■ our physical body and act on hidden parts of us. Although a person can certainly practice yoga with the Beatles, Radiohead, or Jay-Z, this song is not necessarily created for the purpose of affecting a person on a spiritual level. Yoga music carries with it the intention of the artist to support the physical, emotional and spiritual changes that yoga can bring.
How is yoga music different from other songs?
Much of the wide variety of yoga music is instrumentally very similar to anything you might hear on the radio. You will find guitars, drums, harmonica and many other instruments that will be immediately familiar to you. You may also hear instruments that you don’t recognize, such as esraj or bansuri. What really differentiates yoga music from other types of music is that it often uses mantras from the Sanskrit and Gurbani traditions, with fewer lyrics in our native languages than in other musical styles. Some of these mantras are believed to be hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.
Why are people who perform Yoga fond of mantras?
Mantras are combinations of sounds and words that yogis believe contain incredible energy and inherent power. Sometimes called “Naad” or the stream of sacred sound, mantras have the ability to connect people to the universe and the Divine. To sing or sing “Har” is to immediately get in touch with God’s creative potential. Chanting or chanting “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” immediately connects a yogi with the divine wisdom that is inherent in all people.
Also, saying a mantra that has been said by generations of people throughout the centuries is a powerful way to connect with those who came before us. Just as reciting the Lord’s Prayer connects Christians with the very words that Jesus spoke, chanting a mantra connects us to the Golden Chain of yogis and teachers dating back to the beginnings of yoga.
Mantras are also very powerful from a psychological point of view because, for most people, the words are completely different from a person’s native language. For an English speaker, the word “love” can be accompanied by an association for life. When that person sings “Aham Prema”, which is sometimes translated as “I am Divine Love”, the energy of the words ignores the mind and goes directly to the heart.
Benefits of Yoga Music:
The benefits of yoga music vary by individual. Traditionalists do not listen to music with their yoga practice. However, many other people are open to improving the connection between sound and movement. They want to explore how the combination affects the body, mind and spirit.
For anyone who has become an asana to the sound of an Indian flute, it may come as a surprise to learn that classical yoga is not performed to a soundtrack. Traditional yogis still feel like this: yoga is a path to greater enlightenment. Consequently, you need to listen to your own inner voice, not outside influences.
The general benefits of yoga music include:
The ability to completely relax.
Improves balance and concentration.
Provides a foundation to help clear the mind of thoughts.
Using specific tones or waves (such as alpha or delta) to achieve a certain mood
Revive the listener and help them move from one state to another.
Remember that what may seem pleasant or relaxing to some may be unpleasant noise to others. That is why research on sound and its effects continues.
Different types of yoga music:
There are different variety of yoga music that widely used in yoga studios and schools. The most common is yoga instrumental music, which can include a wide variety of Western, Indian and ethnic instruments, sounds of nature, chants, etc. Relaxing, lounge, or ambient music is also a popular choice for yoga music due to its constant rhythm patterns.
Choosing the right yoga music for your session depends a lot on your preferences. Some people are better able to meditate or focus their thoughts with instrumental music or nature sounds, while others work better with the sounds of ethnic rhythms and background strings. Another factor to consider when choosing yoga music is the type of yoga you are practicing. If you are practicing yoga for meditative purposes, you will naturally need music that calms your ears and triggers feelings of relaxation.
Upbeat yoga music
Top 40 pop music and popular music is generally not considered ideal yoga music, this does not mean that all yoga music has to be dark and serene. Come to think of it, the mainstream music you listen to on the radio is rarely used as yoga music. However, some yogis prefer to listen to upbeat yoga music during sessions, especially if the type of yoga being taught is the more accelerated type. This type of yoga music helps students keep up with the movements and transition between different yoga poses.
For upbeat yoga songs, heavy percussion songs with fast, steady beats are a popular choice. It could be, for example, contemporary Indian music with an emphasis on tabla and other Indian percussion instruments. There are many New Age songs that are vibrant and energetic, without distracting you from your practice.
Meditation music
About 70% of people who practice yoga prefer to listen to meditation music during workouts. The most popular artist is Liquid Mind. The main reasons for this are simple. Yoga is commonly related to meditation, relaxation and general peace of mind. This type of music is literally linked to all of these things so that you can deduce why it is the most common.
Traditional Indian
Traditional Indian is ranked as the second most common because about 37% of yogis prefer to listen to this type of music while doing yoga. We can find the best playlists on Pandora and there are no limitations here. You can listen to any artist you want.
Indie / Alternative
Thanks to 26% of yogis who prefer this musical genre, it is on our list, among other types of popular music. Some of the best bands to listen to include Grouplove and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Of course, we mention only the most popular ones. You are free to listen to any band of your choice. In addition, we can add that the Vinyasa flow is the most popular of all, with 57% of people following it.
Classic music
About 16% of people who practice yoga listen to classical music during workouts. An average workout lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, so you can listen to many different songs and more advanced pieces of classical music. Among the most popular artists are Mozart and Beethoven. Classical music is appreciated because it relieves stress and improves tranquillity, making it ideal for yoga.
Pop music
How many of you believe that pop music is the most heard among yogis? Probably all of you. However, only 9% of yoga practitioners listen to pop music during workouts. One thing you probably know is that the most popular artists are Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. After all, they are the most popular artists in the world. People who prefer this type of music while doing yoga generally enjoy the most eccentric movements and fast-paced exercises.
Folk
There is a slight difference in popularity between popular music and that popular among yogis. About 8.5% of them prefer folk music, with Bob Dylan being the most popular artist of this type. It is also common for people to switch between genres of folk and pop music or to combine these two musical forms. Fortunately, you can find millions of children online in seconds.
Electronic
7.5% of yogis prefer electronic music. This form of music will give you positive vibes while practicing yoga and can help speed up the process. Of course, it is rarer than other types of music and there are no more popular artists here. Every yogi prefers something different. This song is especially popular when yoga teachers find retreats to rent and organize group retreats.
Where to buy Yoga songs?
If you practice yoga as part of a class in a studio, you generally don’t have to worry about finding the right yoga music - your yoga instructor will be the one to provide the music and create an overall climate conducive to the physical and meditative aspects. of yoga practice. But if you are a yoga enthusiast and you know enough about yoga to practice it alone in the comfort of your home, it would be nice to have “inspiring” music while you work on your sessions. Better yet, you can have full control over the type of music that best suits your needs.
Don’t worry, there are several retail and online stores where you can browse yoga song catalogues. You can even get yoga music compilation CDs that follow themes for specific styles of yoga. If you’re not sure where to start your yoga music search, these compilation CDs are a good idea so you can listen to the sounds and see what styles of yoga music work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you use music to meditate?
Combining music with meditation can deepen the positive effects of both and produce greater stress relief. As a plus point, for a lot of people who are beginners or who are perfectionists, music meditation can seem simpler and more instantly relaxing than other forms of practice.
What kind of music is yoga?
Classical music
How do I make a yoga playlist?
Tips to Help You Create Your Perfect Yoga Playlist
1. Start and end: slow, easy and instrumental. Think of your music as a bow.
2. Keep the theme music positive and fun.
3. Make sure the song flows from one song to the next.
4. Avoid overplayed radio melodies and “heavy” lyrics.
5. Always add 2 or more songs in addition to what you want for Savasana.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient mind-body practise that usually consists of breathing exercises, body postures and meditation whose original objective was to promote higher states of consciousness. Positive psychology, which focuses on the study of human growth and potential, shares several similarities with the basic principles of yoga as a behavioural practice to enhance human performance and experience. The present study aims to examine the role of yoga in facilitating positive psychological states, that is, psychological flow and mindfulness, especially during musical performance.
What are some different Yoga Poses?
• Child’s Pose
• Cat and Cow (with optional diagonal hand/leg extensions)
• Seated head-to-fingertips stretch
• Thread the Needle
• Spinal Twist (seated or lying on your back)
• Mountain
• Interlaced fingers pushing up towards the ceiling or straight in front of you, palms away
from your body
• Rag Doll
• Tree Pose
• Downward Facing Dog
Conclusion:
Yoga offers a safe and relaxing environment, and music can provide that environment in a way you never imagined. You can set up your own music in your home. It may even be better to buy a CD of some of your favorite songs to listen to while relaxing in your own home.
Yoga offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy life. Having music can help you achieve a calmer state of mind. For those interested in yoga, you can find a DVD that includes the same DVD in various formats. The benefits of music will never end. You can find ways to incorporate the practice into your daily life, whether at home or in a group. It is a wonderful tool to enhance your experience and help you live a better life. Others love the convenience of having the same track available on their DVD player. While it is important to pay attention to your surroundings, it does not hurt to have access to a part of the universe in the comfort of your home.