| One of my favorite things to do at places like Whole | | | | I once had a co-worker a few years ago was that |
| Foods (sometimes the CD listening station is tucked | | | | she liked doing yoga but stopped going to classes |
| away so you have to look for it), Kripalu, Omega or | | | | since she hated oooommmmming. I like |
| the retail in a yoga studio is to put on headphones and | | | | oooommmmming myself, but can appreciate the |
| listen to some of the music they are selling. One of my | | | | non-hippy that is wierded out by this ritual in class. I |
| main tasks when I am at Kripalu is to plunk myself | | | | wonder why they never play music in a Bikram class? |
| down and go through dozens of CDs and then only let | | | | So here is my list, in no particular order. |
| my self buy my favorite 10%. | | | | Deva Premal and Miten. For long-time yogis they will |
| Just so you understand part of my leanings, if a CD | | | | come as no surprise. For those newer to yoga, they |
| has a lot of slow-moving and then fast tempo songs I | | | | have a soulful and sensual way of chanting ancient |
| tend to discard those, even if I really dig them since I | | | | mantras. I have played this for lots of non-yogis when I |
| want to have one consistent mood when I am | | | | was just chilling at home and they commented on how |
| teaching and don't have to get up and change the | | | | beautiful and soothing the music is. I think my favorite |
| music....I just find that disruptive for myself. I tend to | | | | song is "There is so Much Magnificence".....I |
| stay away from stuff that has loud bells or chimes in | | | | contemplated playing this at our wedding reception. |
| the middle of a long tranquil spell since it breaks the | | | | There is a deep healing quality to their songs and they |
| mood. It's hard to hold half-moon pose when all of a | | | | seem to be very therapeutic whenever I am going |
| sudden you hear a clanging, "GONG". I also stay away | | | | through "stuff". |
| from music that is heavy on spoken vocals, since that | | | | The Gift of Love. Deepak Chopra. I worked at the |
| can also be distracting. Ambient music with a | | | | Chopra Center for a year and was exposed to some |
| consistent tone tends to work best. Often, my | | | | really great stuff. There are actually a few different |
| students come up to me after class and ask what the | | | | sets. I like them all. A lot of this music is fairly sensual |
| music was, so I know I am on track with finding the | | | | as well and most of it is in English. Nice, modern beats |
| right tunes. | | | | to it. This CD works better for just chill hang out music |
| Most of the music works well for other things like | | | | since there are some spoken vocals on it that can be |
| massage and other spiritual activities and some of | | | | distracting. |
| them are just slow and sensual and great for just | | | | Ekova - This usually would not come up in a Yoga |
| chilling and romancing. if you don't like hearing someone | | | | class. These beats are faster moving and funkier...they |
| chant Oooooommmmm for a full hour when you are | | | | feel almost african at times since there are some |
| practicing then you can check these out. I don't tend to | | | | deep rhythmic beats in some songs. I wouldn't |
| do a lot of ooooommmming in my classes. I teach a lot | | | | recommend this for massage but for a a more |
| of beginners and worried this might be scary for them. | | | | vigorous yoga class. |