Yoga Remixed

Lessons I learned from turning my yoga practice upside down by using R&B music instead of my usual white noise.

But First, Yoga 🧘🏽‍♀️🌿🌻🕊️

As someone who finds it difficult to focus during yoga, it comes as no surprise that switching out my mellow playlist for a rhythmic one made a positive difference in my routine. Since I typically practice stretching and breathing techniques to Lo-fi, instrumental, or nature sounds, trying out something totally dissimilar was a welcomed shift.

I choose to make an R&B playlist with songs from the likes of Giveon, Kali Uchis and Daniel Caesar, to name a few. In the past, these songs have inspired me to release the pent-up tension I was holding, and when I pressed play and started my yoga practice, they did just that and more; they helped me experience inner peace.

What my version of what inner peace looks like. Photo by Tadeusz Lakota on Unsplash.

While listening to these artists, I found myself getting lost in the transformative power of their lyrics, and it quite literally eased the stress I was feeling throughout my body. Overall, I felt at ease; my shoulders less tight, my breath more natural and my face settled into an unstrained expression.

So now I'm thinking, maybe there's something to listening to different genres of music while doing an unwinding exercise. It might just happen that changing up the tempo of your practice can in effect have an unexpected and lasting positive impact on your well-being. At least, this was the case for me over the past week.

My Thoughts While in the Yoga Session 🤔💭💡✨

1. There is peace in songs that move with an unpredictable beat.

2. Nostalgia promotes comfort within the mind, body and soul.

3. It feels natural to breathe to a predictable and strong beat.

4. The lyrics are relatable and soothing to my busy mind.

5. These artists are singing what I feel and what I need to hear!

6. The varying tones of these songs are emotionally freeing.

7. Hmm...maybe yoga doesn't just have to be a silent and still practice.

8. I resonate with the emotions these songs are expressing.

9. My mind feels less pressured to be silent and more present.

10. Peace is sweeping over me and I am excited to do breathwork.

11. I'm staying longer in my poses because I want to finish the songs.

12. I haven't smiled this much in a while––I must be enjoying this!

13. My mood is improving and I feel lighter overall.

14. I'm reimagining what a beneficial yoga session looks like to me.

"Yoga Remixed Soundtrack" 💨🎹💿👂🏼

Maybe you're looking to try out something new in your mindfulness routine. If that's the case, and an R&B yoga session seems like the next step for you––I say go for it! Below, I've left my remixed Spotify playlist for you to use the next time you practice yoga. What are you waiting for? Stream it now!

(📸 Blog post cover photo by S Migaj on from Unsplash)