Many of you have requested a list of music similar to what is played in class, for use at home. Not all of these have been played in class due to copyright and licensing, but many have. I’ve used YouTube links when possible, so that the music is accessible to all. Please support the artists you love by using their Vevo channels, or a service such as Spotify or Pandora that helps to ensure everyone retains the rights and royalties for their work!
I’ll update as I find songs to which I enjoy doing yoga 🙂
Savasana Music:
- “I Am – Krishan Liquid Mix” by Krishan, Nirinjan Kaur, Matthew Schoening, Ram Dass
- “There Is So Much Magnificence” by Steve Gold (This is a live and poorly-recorded video. Please use the above-listed services to find the studio version.)
- “I Am Light” by India.Arie
- “Grace (feat. East Forest)” by MC YOGI, East Forest
- “Bliss (I Am the Light of My Soul)” by Sirgun Kaur, Sat Darshan Singh
- “The Power is Here Now” by Alexia Chellun
- “Here in the Now” by Murray Kyle
- “I Rise Up” by Beautiful Chorus
Energizing Music:
- “Where It At?” by Trombone Shorty
- “Higher Vibration” by Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers
- “Give Love” by MC YOGI
- “Finally Moving” by Pretty Lights
- “Drop the Game” by Flume, Chet Faker
- “Drippin’” by SaQi, The Human Experience, WORTH
- “Cleopatra in New York – Zim Zam Mix” by Nickodemus, Carol C, Zim Zam
- “Breathe” by Eric Prydz, Rob Swire
- “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals
- “Sunu” by Rising Appalachia, the Human Experience
- “Let it Breathe” by Rob Riccardo
Covers:
- “Breathe in the Air” by DJ Taz Rashid, Momentology. Originally recorded by Pink Floyd
- “Go Your Own Way” by Lissie. Originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac
- “The Sound of Silence (Arr. Lewson, Trueman)” by Milos Karadaglic, 12 Ensemble. Originally recorded by Simon and Garfunkel
- “Higher Love” by Radharani. Originally recorded by Steve Winwood
- “May It Be” by Rogerio Tutti. Originally recorded by Enya
- “Lean On” by nylonwings. Originally recorded by Major Lazer, MO, DJ Snake
- “Carry On” by Gavin Mickhail. Originally recorded by Fun
- “Radioactive” by William Joseph. Originally recorded by Imagine Dragons (Y’all, I don’t usually watch music videos, but this one is BEAUTIFUL!)
- “Crazy” by Daniela Andrade. Originally recorded by Gnarls Barkley
- “Float On” by Imaginary Future. Originally recorded by Modest Mouse
Meditative Music (few or no lyrics)
- “Om (Invocation Dub) Omstrumental” by MC YOGI
- “Devi Prayer” by Craig Pruess and Ananda
- “Shanti (Peace Out)” by MC YOGI
- “Gold Flow” by DJ Taz Rashid
- “Tabla Breath” by Benjy Wertheimer, John De Kadt
- “Luminous Emptiness” by Hang Massive
- “Equinoxe, Pt. 2” by Jean-Michel Jarre
- “Weightless Pt. 1” by Marconi Union (This song was created with science to help calm the mind!)
- “Breathing Space” by Sacred Earth
Gentle and Breezy Music
- “Finding a Dream” by Lishuid
- “Misty Morning” by Sol Rising
- “Lunar Lullarby (mr_slace Remix)” by Voyager, mr_slace
- “Sea of Light” by DJ Taz Rashid, Momentology
- “Turquoise” by Koresma
- “Day or Night” by Electrical Tribe
- “The White Feather” by AH*NEE*MAH
- “Calming Nerves” by Guustavv
- “Beads on the Wind (Instrumental) feat. Theo Brama” by Krystyn Pixton, The Human Experience, Theo Brama
- “Carnet” by Mea
This is a great list! I’m a yoga teacher, too, and found your list accidentally. I usually play more traditional Indian (Hindi) music, and have been wanting to expand my list. Do you really play some of these in class, like the pop covers or jazz songs? I don’t mean to question you, that just seems unusual. Maybe new music would be good for my classes, too. Or does this turn off some of your students?
Hi Michelle! Thank you – I’m glad you like the list! There are two answers to your question, really.
First, I do play some of these in my classes, including some of the ones you mentioned. I use music that moves me, that makes me want to move, or that feels inspiring. Sometimes all three! I DO gauge my classes and who is attending before choosing a playlist. I DO choose innocuous, lyrics-free, music in more traditional styles in certain circumstances: teaching a session specifically designed to be Trauma-Informed, when I have hearing-impaired students, and when I’m teaching a specific and sacred style such as Kundalini. But I have students who as for “the good music” , or “the playlist with that song I love,” and it is my job to make their practice what they need it to be. Has it turned off a student or two? I don’t think so, but it’s possible none have mentioned it. I DO try to ask prior to class if anyone prefers a certain kind of music, or is offended by explicit pop songs, even if those songs are stripped of their lyrics. I definitely don’t want to trigger someone with music! Having my own music triggers, including a list of about six songs that can make me leave a space, I try to be extra considerate!
However, music licensing and royalty are a BIG DEAL, and paying those fees is BIG MONEY. So I am limited as to what I can actually play by specific licensing agreements. Some songs on this list have only ever played in my living room while I was solo.
If you have issues finding totally royalty-free music for yoga, please send me an e-mail! I have a playlist for those days, too!