Do you get bored of yoga? Be honest and mostly be honest with yourself. A personal practice for me, I get bored. I can’t keep a straight sequence no matter how many times I practice it, there is always something different be it pose, strength, sequence, combo, whatever. I developed a sequence to an entire playlist, practiced until I mastered it to each song. Still did I do exactly as I built it while teaching, nope. But close to. I taught a sequence that I would like to learn for myself and have tried on myself. I didn’t like some of the poses I put into the sequence, and it was a forceful intention to be mindful to practice. Poses I knew I had such a difficult time doing, not for the lack of confidence, but the lack of freedom I had in my body. In order for me to really set myself free in a sequence is the song, some like silence I like particular songs, as does many. 

When you do yoga, what music do you use? Forget about what your students want for a second, you’re a student too so you can have your thoughts on this platter to share. You are a teacher or want to be a teacher, what music do you like and why? The thoughts and feelings that connect your movement with the harmony, and melodic guidance of tunes, sweet sweet tunes. And now have a conversation with yourself, hello feminine and masculine sides of the brain, logical and creative, grant yourself the space and acceptance of conceptualizing the wave link of music to movement. 

We must engage our minds first and foremost when we begin practicing yoga. Hatha yoga is particular in this seeing that it balances body, mind, soul, the pranayama and asana, unifying elements to seek nirvana. What captivates your mind as well as allowing it to set free while you practice? Do you lip sing when you’re trying to get into king dancer pose? I do sometimes. Does your heart beat to the BPM’s while going from the 4 limb staff to upward facing, are you bobbing your head? Can you concentrate on your existence solely on your mat and not bother so much of others while there is a terrible song on OR one of your favorites for that matter? Music is fun and it does take some thought in choosing the right music for practice. 

In my teaching experience, I use a few different playlists that I have created like others, taking the time to find the right sounds and tempo that would elevate the practice of my students. Not to mention, I’ve played different music some would find completely distracting and useless amidst the time of finding ‘peace.’ Experiment with music and see where it takes you and perhaps even notice how you are able to develop a sequence to it without having to think about it for so long either. How is this even remotely viable to interpret? Well, through movement and focal point, drishti. Emotion and movement releases us in ways beyond our comprehension, silencing the verbal definition. 

When I practice yoga, I listen to trance, downtempo, classic rock, reggae, house, etc... Teaching yoga, can be tricky. Students are sensitive to music and energy without knowing it at first. Some want to find peace and solace in their pose, being one and believe me we all do. Now, so far by reading this blog you may have already started the conversation in your head of ‘what do I like? What takes me away from reality? What type of music pushes me? How can I share this song with the class and not clash? How can I involve an array without loosing their attention? What style goes best with what style of music? I learned in my YTT music is important, almost to the point however that I was intimidated to even play music. TRULY. I thought for sure I was going to play nothing but slow, Asian, flutes, water flowing, chimes, mantra music for yoga. Nowadays I play all sorts, but I did put together a particular playlist that I felt on a personal connection really enabled me to explore my creative side. I took time to match certain poses to the song and of course completely not use the whole sequence, completely changing it up constantly and wondering why I couldn’t stick to the sequence every single time. Then I realized early on in my teaching, it’s only my guide to work with and I had the ability TO change it every time, to anything, with anything. It was a base for me to mold around, I loved it. It made sense to me and challenged me at the same time. 

Here’s a playlist I refer to often:

• Moby - One of these Mornings
  
• Telepopmuzik - Breathe
• Conjure One - Center of the Sun
• Alex Dare - Too Close
• Perfect Circle - 3 Libras
• Deftones - Change
• Thievery Corporation - Blasting Through the City
• Thievery Corporation - Beautiful Drug
• Massive Attack - Angel
• Dolphin Boy - Shake It Loose
• Zero 7 - In the Waiting Line
• Enigma - Voyageur
• Bliss - Don't Look Back
• FC Kahuna - Hayling   

 

My go to album selections: Maneesh de Moor - Sadhana * Buddha Sounds Vol. 3 - Various Artists * Stephen Marley - Mind Control to name a few. Have any suggestions? Please let me know!

Personally speaking, I go through addictions of yoga as well as the annoyance of it. Could one be so harsh or eccentric with the qualms of yoga? Yes, because sadly as much as I can twist and turn my arm convincing otherwise, yoga is to yoke, to union. It doesn't matter how you yoke your life, or create a union of 'feeling blissful', it's a universal concept working it's magic for each individual. 

I'm an extreme person, it's a flaw and blessing, my yin and yang. The drive starts slow and takes trials and tribulations to kick in, and once it does, I go full throttle at the pace I find comfortable to manifest. This year I taught, and I really taught. I taught and learned tremendously of the challenges I was willing to face, the feelings I felt, sacrifice I made, the knowledge I  gained, disappointment, rain, or shine, one or none, austerities and achievements, I really understand yoga in many different avenues versus just the poses I was able to conquer. 

The manifesto of yoga for me some how breaks my writers block by simply just being, and so now where do I begin? I am able to express now, so that's a first, but where to start? The beginning, the kick start of the journey, the recap? I guess I will write my life as it is, random and collectively a smashing array of whatever I feel at that moment to express. The beauty I found of yoga is randomness, it's beauty in it's deviant right to which we accept of what is here and now. What we do with the here and said now, defines you....yes you? Who me? You said you from me to me... Your thoughts are ok to be random and so is your practice. Make sense? But then again what does right? Aaaaaaaah, yoga. Welcome to the blog of a traveling yoginista.