What Feelings Sounds Like
Music is what feelings sound like. ~Author Unknown
On a blind date I was once asked, “Do you like music?” I remember thinking that was a ridiculous question because music moves us all. No matter what, we all have a connection to it in some way. It reminds us of special moments, inspires us to move and allows us to let go. Music can set the tone and alter our mood, breaking down barriers we erect without conscious thought. These very reasons are why I never teach a class without it.
Many students ask me where I get my music and how they can start their own yoga music library. In this current day in age when we can create ringtones out of songs we hear in crowded restaurants, it seems like no sweat getting new music. There are websites I couldn’t live without like SoundCloud, Pandora, Spotify and a plethora of other downloadable music websites, but they don’t help at all if you have no idea how to search for them. But let’s start with something easy…
My favorite way to build a playlist is to begin with songs everyone knows. From there, it becomes less of a challenge to weave in sacred chants, healing vibrations and devotional music. Some of my favorite well-known and mainstream artists to compile a yoga playlist around are Moby, Lorde, Gorillaz or Devotchka. They bring lyrics many people know or can at least hum along with. The next step is to begin to throw in some more unconventional music like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole or “IZ” who puts a sweet hawaiian flair on oldies but goodies everyone knows like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or music that is more your style. I have a pretty eclectic and indy taste so other artists that find their way regularly onto my playlists are Lykki Li, LP, Jose Gonzalez and the list goes on, but go with what you like.
Once we have these songs peppered into a playlist, it is time to search for “yoga” music. I always find this to be an important addition to my playlists because our practice is a moving meditation. This is where most students get stuck. A good crossover artist that can lead us into devotional music is great, someone like Trevor Hall is a fantastic start.
But how do you search for a song when you don’t even know how to say the Sanskrit title, let alone search for it? Or maybe you don't know the artists names. My favorite place to start in this category is Sounds True. This multimedia publishing company is the mecca of spiritual wisdom, whether you seek books on meditation, stories of inspiration, DVDs of your favorite yoga teachers (well, I’m not in there yet!) and of course, MUSIC! The beauty of this site is that you can find compilations already completed, like Immersion or Om Deeksha to help you out in your first few mixes and as you get the hang of it, start to mix your own playlists. Below you can find a list of my top few favorite devotional/yoga artists to flow to. If you like one of the below artists, then go ahead and create a Spotify or Pandora station so you can find other music with the same sound. It's that easy!
DJ Drez
MC Yogi
Deva Premal & Miten
Krishna Das
Stevin McNamara
Craig Kohlend
And before you know it, you have your very first yoga playlist.
To find my yoga playlists on Spotify please add me as a friend on Facebook and then you can easily find me on Spotify. Now go be inspired by your music practice today!