How to make a Yoga music playlist?
There are many views on music during Yoga. Some are against it, some are only looking for instrumental background ambiance, while others take it to the next level—using music to create a unique and personal feeling to their classes building their own playlists or even composing their own music. We do think there are some guidelines to follow to make the perfect yoga music playlist for your session classes or your home practice.
Nomade Records specialises in Yoga music. Please look around the site for Yoga Music playlists, yoga artist and more yoga music content.
If it’s for your yourself it’s easy. You pick what works for your program. On the other hand, if you are also a teacher, there may be a bit more to it. It is important to know the energy of the class. Here are 5 tips that you might find useful to make your yoga music selection for a yoga class:
Start slow and easy
Think of your music like a fish. You need to give time and space at both the beginning and end for breath. Music with too fast of a beat early on may inspire you to move too quick and skip the connection you need with your breath. Music with too active instrumentation or even lyrics may make Savasana difficult.
Young Jing “Sunrise” is a great starting point
Keep it in Major key
Avoid sad songs or songs with a sad undertone. You want an uplifting feel when you began. Typical for staring songs is that they are in Major key and a relatively slow tempo. Some might have chants but mostly humming if any vocals.
Adam G is a great example of a Major Key song well suited to start a Yoga cass
Mix from one song to another
Make sure you listen to your playlist in context. The flow from one song to another should be smooth and ideally not noticeable. A trick here is to chose music from the same artist, a well curated Yoga Music playlist or use music analysis tools to check for Key and BPM. In most cases you will hear if the transition goes smoothly. The yoga music artists on Nomade Records are all specialist in this and are for that reason booked for sessions around the world to perform with Yoga instructors.
Check this Yoga Flow playlist and how well it flows from one song to another..
Don’t use hits for Yoga Music classes
Lyrics creates images in people’s mind. That will distract for focusing during class. Pop songs also might carry different meaning to people – especially if they had a bad experience with that particular song or simply don’t like it. Try to use instrumental covers instead if you really want to use a particular song.
Franz Schrõder is a great pianist doing lots of modern covers. A great place to start.
Have a few extra just in case
Keep in mind that there is a time before and after the session that can be used to get the class into the mood even before you start or easing them out after the session. So having another 4-5 songs would never hurt. This will also be good to adding variation for the next session.
Our artist Bo Degas curates a great Yoga Music playlist that might serve some inspiration for more songs.
