There appears to be an unspoken debate about using music in a yoga class. Sometimes classes are accompanied by soothing melodies, devotional chanting, or even all out of rock. Other classes lean towards no music at all. Is there a version that’s best? Or, like most things in yoga, does it simply come down to what feels right for you?

In my own teaching I have covered a bit of Deepak Chopera and Deva Premal. When I started teaching, music always accompanied my words.  Some of my favorite teachers use music woven into their classes so I thought it seemed like a great idea.

I found that, for me, turning off the music helped me to focus on the energy of the room and the rhythm of my students’ breath. It allowed me to feel more in sync with my students and it felt like they were able to reach a depth of stillness that I hadn’t seen before. And so it stuck.

Has this experience caused me to swear off all music in yoga? Definitely not. I love going to yoga classes with music and without.