I’m trying to keep up with Monica as now she’s supplementing her workouts with stretching and yoga. OK, she needs good music for that too, right? She tells me that they have the typical new age, mystical music that you would expect at a yoga studio. I decided to look into yoga music and I was amazed at how little variety there is to be found. I believe there are many alternative, indie, and jazz artists that record beautiful and inspirational songs that would provide the same calming effect while practicing yoga. I’ve been careful to avoid anything that is too upbeat (contrary to everything else I’ve ever posted here), or with moody or depressing lyrics. I know that yoga is an integral part of the Hindu religion and while there is not typical Hindu music here, I try to be mindful of it’s spirit, imagery, and calming effect. After the 40+ hours of upbeat music I’ve posted, it’s nice to mellow out a little here…
If you have a song that you love to use when doing yoga, please share (either comment below our thru twitter @boldpacemusic)! If it works with our goal of providing inspirational, calming, and meditative music, I’ll add to our next yoga playlist and link back to your site with a big thank you :)
Off and Running CD Tin Notecard Set (6 cards, 2 of each style for $15 at remanents.com)
Looking for a perfect gift for someone who loves yoga or fitness? Take some music below and slip it in with a CD tin notecard set from Remanents. These cards, gifts, and tees have been sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Nordstroms, Henri Bendel, Fortnum and Mason (London) and many other fine stores, however, you’ll find the largest selection at www.remanents.com. See more cards and tees along with beautiful Couture Fabric Holiday cards and Halloween cards too.
There are 21 yoga songs below with a total playtime of 1.4 hours. Enjoy…
Best Yoga Music: Yoga Workout Playlist — Alternative, Indie, & Jazz mix
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- Mt. Airy Road – George Benson: A instrumental start by one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history. “Airy” is a perfect description for this song.
- Seven A.M. – The Blue Nile: One of my favorite bands when I want to listen to relaxing music. Their lush, ambient sound creates a wonderful atmosphere for introspection.
- Do You Realize? – The Flaming Lips: Unlike the Blue Nile, you might not think of the Flaming Lips and yoga. But this song has such simple and poignant lyrics that it just seems to work. If you are curious about the Flaming Lips (they have put out some music that is very bizarre), the album with “Do You Realize?” is called “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” and it is amazing…a must have. Find it here:
- Mykonos – Fleet Foxes: Love the transitions in this song and the infectious harmonies that sound like a Native American chant.
- The First Days of Spring – Noah and the Whales: “Like a cut down tree, I will rise again and I’ll be bigger and stronger than ever before”.
- Twin Peaks Theme – Angelo Badalamenti: Showing our age here, but Monica and I used to love this show. This is just such a cool song.
- Shelter – The XX: Similar to the Blue Nile, everything by the XX just seems simple, atmospheric, captivating, and the embodiment of cool.
- One Wish – Hiroshima: In a small nod to Japan, enjoy Hiroshima’s eastern-western fusion style with their musical masterpiece.
- Swept Away – Spyro Gyra: While sometimes criticized as a “pop-jazz commercial” band, there is a reason they are one of the most successful jazz groups in the past 30 years. Here’s a good example…
- Return to Innocence – Enigma: With lyrics like “Don’t be afraid to be weak, don’t be too proud to be strong” and “Don’t care what people say, just follow your own way” and another Native American sounding chant, you can feel the spirituality and peacefulness.
- The Safest Place - Sade: Always smooth and peaceful, here Sade says “in my heart your love has found the safest hiding place, inside a field and trees and a lake…”
- Such Great Heights – Iron and Wine: While overplayed (and over-covered), I love the lyrics and this minimalist Iron and Wine version highlights the lyrics…just picture your significant other telling you: “I am thinking it’s a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned”.
- Carries On – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: With a 60′s good vibrations sound it’s easy to enjoy this indie rock band’s sound. “One love…one touch…one look…carries on”.
- The Man With the Child in His Eyes – Kate Bush: One of my favorite artists, Kate Bush has a beautiful voice that shows on this light and simple tune. If you are interested in hearing more of Kate Bush, check out what I think is her best album–The Kick Inside. The Saxophone Song, Kite, Wuthering Heights, and The Kick Inside are all stand-outs. Listen here:
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