What we’re used to as yoga students is being in class and moving to the music the instructor has chosen. We go along with it, but if the music is live, it is bound to move you in a different way. And by move, I mean spiritually, emotionally, mentally. The live musician is strumming, singing, swaying in our presence. I, personally, need to be stirred by the music in every class in order to feel fully inspired and aroused, but even a slow, folky jam, if performed live, can bring the sweat and heat, and, most importantly, a little emotion.
There is so much in yoga that rouses the spirit: we are inspired by the poses, the breath, an instructor, the physicality of it all. The strength, wisdom, fortitude, mantras, meaning. But the spirit works in the opposite direction as well. We encourage each other in class with group movement and breath, we inspire the poses and the flow of the practice, the lessons put out to be contemplated. Our emitted energy inspires the instructor, instigates the beats, the pace, the vigor. We move as one in a unified conscious flow, and, above all, hopefully we inspire ourselves with each turn of the body (true of life also).
Yoga is reciprocal, a symbiotic relationship. Everything works together to create a whole experience. It is cooperative. Then, add to all of this, a melody: slow, fast, soft, bumpin’, hypnotic, moving, emotive, fun…having a musician in the corner of the room is pretty special. We’re moving together to the music. She’s playing for us, for herself, watching the sea of poses, as inspired by us as we are by her and her craft.
If music is as important as the physical asana, check out the Live Music C2 Flow at
the Core Power Yoga Grant Street Studio, Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 pm to see what comes up. These are the musings that ruminated in me while live music played in the background, the foreground, everywhere around me—not contrived, set, boxed, packaged in a recording room—it’s there, present, part of us, moving and flowing with our movements. What will live music bring up in you?
wait…I’m used to a little bump in there, what kind of music does she play?
Oooh – this totally is inspiring me to get back into yoga. I’ve never practiced in a room with live music, but I can see how it would infuse the room with an entirely different sort of energy.
Blane, Kate Aubry sang and played somewhat folk type music; she may not call her music folk, but that’s what it felt like to me. It was kind of James Taylor like. Slow, which, yes, is different than the usual bumpin’ beats, but it absolutely worked. It opened the heart wide.
Oh, I should mention, I’m not sure if she’ll play every Thursday Live Music C2 Flow, there may be different musicians often. Check out the class to find out; it is lovely!
Josey, it was really, really special. I’ve been in a few live music classes over the last few years and even if the music itself isn’t my style, there is a different vibe happening. There is always a major sense of community in a yoga studio, but with a live musician, the feeling is overwhelming–in a good way of course! I hope you find a class with live music…next time you’re in Denver, we’ll have to go to this one!!!
I couldnt agree with you more, great piece Aubrey! The pure energy of music has been lifting the spirits of humans for centuries and most definitely beyond that. It’s a wonderful gift in yoga when the energy of breath and movement combine with the sounds of music to create that amazing vibration that we all share and live on. If you haven’t practiced to live music, check it out for sure!