Music arguably has been an indispensable part of yoga practice. For most people music works as an energy booster while they are doing other workouts, such as gym practice, running, etc. Therefore, for many practitioners it makes sense to include music in yoga practice as well.
However, music has been a part of yoga practice for centuries. Since its origin, yoga in India has been practiced with mantras and chanting. And even if mantras and chanting are not included in a session, the occurrence of a prolonged “Om” sound is inevitable. Also, instruments like sitar and Indian flutes have been indispensable part of yoga practice.
One of the core concepts behind the practice of yoga is to learn how to avoid all external sources of sound to listen to the voice inside. And music is an external sound, so how can it help us in yoga practice?Let’s discuss.
Firstly, you should know that whether you should include music in your practice or not depends upon two factors; your purpose of doing yoga and the form of yoga you want to practice.
When Music Can be Helpful
If you are doing yoga primarily for its physical aspect and your practice follows a vigorous approach, then including music in your practice can be helpful. Music can help us in achieving the momentum to keep up the flow of the practice by stimulating our body movements. In this way, music also helps us in learning challenging poses rather easily.
The music to include in your yoga practice should not be too loud. At different places people prefer different styles of music, so there is no standard for it. At a studio in New York you might find people listening to a classical or modern western composition during their practice, and simple flute music at a yoga retreat in Rishikesh. Whatever you try, whether a yoga music CD or your own favorite tunes, you should make sure that the music is soothing. In addition, avoid listing to the songs with lyrics, even if they are in foreign language.
When Music Can be Distracting
If you are doing yoga for its spiritual aspect and want to improve your awareness of the mind-body-soul connection within, then it is better not have any music during the practice. Silence is required in more intense practice of yoga, such as meditation, since the primary purpose of such practice is to listen to the voice inside and external sounds can be distracting. In addition, music can also stimulate our emotional state during the practice, which can again be distracting.
But according to some yoga practitioners, music helps them in building focus during meditation practice, since it doesn’t allow other sounds present in our surroundings to reach us.
In conclusion, including music in yoga practice primarily depends upon personal taste; however, it is generally helpful during a vigorous yoga practice. In your personal practice you can do things as per your taste, but during a yoga class you must make sure that everyone is okay with including music in the practice before you go ahead and play anything for them.