Using Yoga Music

I just finished up with my morning yoga practice. I'd like to say that I've been a very dedicated practitioner, but the fact of the matter is, that was probably the first full practice I have done in seven months. And when I say full, I mean to say that I attempted all the poses, not that I actually achieved what I was expecting to in them. I am trying very hard to set my ego aside right now. It's not good for me to be so full of ego that I belittle myself for not being able to do what I once could, on a daily basis. My priorities have shifted, and while I'm technically still a professional in the performing arts field, I make my money sitting in a chair. Sitting in a chair all day is probably the worst thing I've done to my body, and I'm including that time I accidentally sliced my arm open all the way down to the fat on a piece of unfinished glass. Anyway, yoga. I was having trouble focusing this morning. My mind kept wandering off, and I found myself getting discouraged far too easily. Finally, I decided that I either had to stop doing yoga and go do something else, or find a way to settle down and get through the practice. I decided that I would put on some yoga music and finish up. I've not really used yoga music very often. I didn't learn yoga with music in the background, although I have been to a few classes where it has been a very nice addition. I have to say, adding music was probably the best thing I could have done- I found that if I kept my breathing in rhythm with the music, I had the energy to get through even the hardest of poses. It shouldn't actually come as a surprise, of course. I've long known that meditation music is the very best way to keep myself focused during my seated meditations. For whatever reason, I can focus very well on a walking meditation- I absolutely love labyrinths- but if I was sitting still its like there's an "on" switch in my mind that gets stuck in that position. If I listen to meditation music, I can simply let my mind follow along with the music, and if it does decide to wander off, all I have to do to call it back is listen to the music. Pretty easy, huh? I have been to a few meditation classes where they have also used music as a background, and the teachers there had a lot of really great things to say about the use of music, so I feel pretty justified in that. Looking back, it's a little ironic that I'm so into all this new age music. After all, if you'd talked to me ten years ago, I would have told you how horrible new age music was, and that there was no good use for it at all. Now, I recognize that this music has many valuable uses in helping us to calm and connect with ourselves. It is a valuable tool that I have been very fortunate to learn how to use.

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