Hi everyone. I was wondering, should you have an even melody of music while teaching yoga? Im always concerned that the class may be interrupted by a student needing more attention (which is perfectly fine) but it would interrupt the flow of music if we are doing certain movements that are cordinated with that beat. To me it would be best to just have a mello consistant beat but im not sure. Please advise and also if you can, recomend an artist for me so i may purchase some of that kind of music for yoga classes. Also, do you think it ok to not have any music at all.
thanks a lot
Traci
Yoga Teacher Training Forum » Yoga Teacher Training Forum (issues, concerns and questions for teachers) » New Teacher Questions
Yoga Class Music
(20 posts) (17 voices)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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Hi Traci,
I think music is important in class. I know that my students notice the yoga music and always comment on my selections if they are new. I have three great CD's that I originally heard on Paul's instructional DVD. They are from www. peaceandcomfort.com and they are called the Healing Music Series. I have the String Chimes, Over the Ocean, and Forty Two Degrees. All of them are great and a portion of the proceeds are donated to breast cancer research. Anyway - they are very soothing and calming and inhance the atmosphere of the class. I hope this helps.
Namaste,
Jeann
Posted 7 years ago # -
Thanks for your response on music, i have ordered two of your suggestions and hope to enjoy them as much as you. You have been a great help to me and im very grateful for this yoga forum.
Thanks
TraciPosted 7 years ago # -
The music volume should only be enough to create a tranquil atmosphere. If there is traffic going by, or you are teaching Yoga in a health club, you will need music to bring your student's minds into the room.
Jeanne' gave great suggestions. The music selected should also be for the type of class or meditation. For Example: The Mantra Girl CD might be better for Vinyasa, Kundalini, or Power Yoga. On the other hand, Yoga Zone Music for Meditation will be excellent for slowing the pace down.Posted 7 years ago # -
Traci,
Glad I could help. Tomako makes a good point about adjusting your music to the type of class your are teaching. In time, you will find that certain CD's become favorites and fit a certain mood and atmosphere. I find that I choose my music for my home practice that way as well - I pick music based on what I am trying to bring to the mat on that specific day. I hope you enjoy the CD's you ordered - keep me posted and I am so glad that you find this forum helpful.
Namaste,
JeannéPosted 7 years ago # -
Pranam,
Music is a useful tool for teaching yoga classes. Sometimes it drowns out the city noise that comes from the streets. The noise of people, sirens, cars, animals, horns, buses, and jets can take away the student's mind during a lesson. So, I do not propose that music is bad, but have you ever tried a class without music.
We tried this on the weekend, in the early morning, when all of the city traffic is very light. Most people wanted to stay in bed, but those who came got to experience Surya Namaskar for the beginning of the day and a mind-set which had rythm without a yoga music DVD in the background.
Sometimes it is good if a yoga teacher or students bring in musical instruments. Some teachers can also sing very well. These are fresh ideas for those yoga teachers who can play music, or for the teachers who have musically inclined students.
I was a guest in a yoga class with a 10 year old student who could play classical guitar like a master. This girl is a child prodigy and a disciplined yogini. This I bring up, because there are no limits to what you can do to make a nice atmosphere in your ashram.
Om Shanti,
HAMEDPosted 5 years ago # -
Namaskar Hamed,
Good points. Live musical instuments are a personal favorite for Yoga class, but sometimes CD's take away from the class focus. Choppy or loud music take take away from the focus of the class. It is hard enough to get students to concentrate during a class without extra distractions.
Namaste,Posted 5 years ago # -
The idea of soft musical instuments is good for a special workshop. Whether you paly or listen, this is an opportunity for yoga students and teachers to enjoy each other's company.
Sometimes music can be too loud for concentrating on your yoga practice, but there is room for making soft music a valuable part of Yoga.Posted 5 years ago # -
How to create deaf yoga students.
One suggestion when teaching classes - your yoga music should not be a shouting match with your voice. I was in a yoga class last week where I couldn't hear a single word my teacher said. Honestly, her voice was loud enough but the music was even louder. As we left, many students complained about it to each other.
Nobody mentioned it to our teacher, so she is still in the dark. At first, I thought I was the only one who was having trouble. As it turned out her front row were the only ones who could hear her. I will mention it to her, but she may take offense to it because she is playing it so loud she must be into it. If I have to leave for being honest it's not a problem.
Om Shanti,Posted 4 years ago # -
Namaskar!
Do you really think music in a yoga class is that important. Some students object to music because of religious reasons. While others say it makes it difficult for them to focus mentally. Looking forward to reading your ideas.Posted 3 years ago # -
Namaskar!
Look at this objectively before making a move. Who would come to a yoga class to complain about the music?
What is her / his agenda? If all of your students are objecting to music in your yoga classes because of religious reasons, you better stop the music. If it's a few students , then you might try silent meditations or relaxations at a designated time to test the popularity. If it's one complainer, you might ask for your students for feed back when the complainer isn't around to incite a riot. Usually, one twisted person can complain loud enough to ruin the festive atmosphere of a party. So, make sure you get a straw vote before making changes to your yoga classes or teaching method. People who complain about music are hung up on small stuff and just looking for an excuse to make everyone as miserable as they are. I have two words for constant complainers - See Ya!
ShantiPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi Axiom,
Your take is interesting, but maybe you're jumping the gun. This doesn't sound like one student, but a few of them.Posted 3 years ago # -
Namaskar!
Thank you Axiom and Perdy. Yes, it is only one student who has made a big deal about the music, her religion and her lack of ability to concentrate because I put a yoga music CD in the player. Truthfully, the music is barely playing and it's really low key (Yoga Zone). You can hardly hear it, but I started to doubt myself and I wasn't prepared to have a student like this.
The "straw vote" is a great idea by itself because I need to find out what the majority thinks. One point to mention: I paid a fortune for yoga teacher training (over $10,000) and never received any of the support I got from the Aura community and this forum. Just called up for the kids yoga teacher upgrade and they answer the phone! They honored my 200 hour training. No yoga training center ever answers the phone or Email and accepts an outside style with no problems.Posted 3 years ago # -
Greetings and Salutations to All,
It seems as if one bad apple would like to spoil the whole lot. You could try reasoning, but I doubt you will be successful. Maybe the best action to take is suggest to your student that she seek a school without music. Surely you realize that turning your school upside down for one ill mannered student will cause you grief and you will lose students during this turmoil.
Hari Om Tat Sat,
RajashreePosted 3 years ago # -
Music can be used to enhance the mood of a class and used properly, can take students to new places. However, it's best to set the student's expectations up front. If you have a time-slot that is normally a quiet class and you introduce music, it may not work.
I also agree that the music be devoid of lyrics. You don't want it to compete with your message, but enhance it.
I have attended a few classes with live electric-violin. It was awesome. Fortunately, the teacher used a PA system so we could hear her over the music.
As much as I love a peaceful Ashtanga class, I think it would be a total blast to do a Vinyasa class to a DJ with some really heavy Drum & Bass, almost to the level of aerobics. The DJ could follow the mood of the class and bring it down near the end.
In your situation, if you try to cater to one student to, you may lose the others. Make sure the students know what your class is about and stick to it.Posted 2 years ago # -
Music is always a good thing to hear. It relaxes our mind and soul, so that we can concentrate in our work. While taking yoga classes, playing melody music is a great idea and do follow it regularly.Posted 2 years ago #
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I have been using pieces by Matthew C. Shuman in my Yoga group for the past couple months now. They fit my routines nearly perfectly and my class members consistently compliment my song selection. Comparable to Jim Brickman although there is something more fitting about them. I downloaded his CDs from Amazon and iTunes, looks like there are hard copies available through his website.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Curious, is most of his work solo piano? I listened to Victory, which would be good for an active flow, but not for meditation.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have a nice cd called spirit spa and it is native american music and its great. Sometimes the drums are like heartbeats which I love. I also like Reiki cds. I think just nice low, even tempo music on a loop is great.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Love Reiki music for Yoga classes. Speaking of Native American music Coyote Old Man works quite well. I'm curious Matthew or mkkitt: was that a hit and run post for your (Matt Shuman's) back linking strategy? Because eartheart had a good point.
Posted 1 year ago #
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