Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan Holbrook on December 5, 2010 at 5:17am

Dear Jean and all, Just downloaded Liquid Bells, very nice, I hope it touches the core of some of my ladies in an energizing and uplifting yet peaceful and healing manner. I find music choices to be one of the hardest aspects in planning classes. Music is one of the most powerful energies on this earth. But every combination of notes can incite such different emotions in any given person. To choreograph a class in which the sounds you pick will touch the hearts of every person is very difficult. Thank you for this recommendation. Many classes I attend myself I feel a disconnect as the music is playing, but it has no connection to the movement or the energy in a class. In the classes at The Healing Chest I am encouraging the teachers to address this issue as music fused with movement can be such a complete and healing experience. I myself do not feel I have yet attained this goal in my own classes either, but I keep moving closer to the concept. Any comments or suggestions from others would be helpful.

Permalink Reply by Jean Di Carlo-Wagner,MA,E-RYT500 on December 5, 2010 at 6:00am

Dear Susan,
This is such an excellent topic, I hope others reply. Your honesty about it inspires me!
There has been a shift in my use of music, as well as in my yoga classes. I used to make
elaborate lesson plans, with detailed drawings, make individual class albums to go with my
expected plans. Over time, I released the plans, and any thought of 'control'. Because I teach
at a YMCA, and do quite a bit of subbing, I can never know just who is going to show up!

The other factor is the stereo system is 'fickle'...some days it will play a cd, and other days, it will not. No kidding. This week, I had no music, because after trying 8 cd's, I had to start class,
and I said , "This is the way my Higher Power must want it to be, because I can't get the stereo
to work" Silence is sometimes the music of the heart.

Now, I have a huge library of cd's, some are compilation albums that include 10 minutes for
breathing, a flow of music that inspires me,and then, soft music for Savasana. I let the
class inform my direction (I look to see who is there and go according to them); I know
that I want to cover the six ways the spine moves, 'wake up all the joints', move energy
from lower to higher chakras...and so, the journey of yoga is being in 'flow'. The music helps guide me.

The classes that I like the most, the music is so soft and ambient that it isn't possible to 'listen' to it...it's soothing.. Of course, in more active classes, music can help to get you 'up'....and that's fun, too. '

Namaste,
jean

Permalink Reply by Halle T on December 5, 2010 at 7:29am

Jean, For some reason the link doesn't work for me.... can you paste it again?

Maybe we should start a list of music resources for teachers? Would this be useful?

Permalink Reply by Lorien Neargarder on December 6, 2010 at 8:21am

Jean, thank you so much for referring this CD; I will check it out. Susan, I understand what you mean. As a dancer for many years, I developed a sensitivity to how music moves us. When I am in a class where the energy of the instruction and the energy of the music don't relate... my heart is torn and I miss that connection. I have done many practices with no music, but I find I like the beat or ambiance best with music. That said, I am extremely picky about the music I play. Like you, Jean, I carefully select the soundtrack to the class. I love my iPod, because I can choose the music on the fly, once I have witnessed the environment of the moment. Since the day I began teaching, students have asked me what I play, so I put together a list on my website.

Permalink Reply by Jean Di Carlo-Wagner,MA,E-RYT500 on December 27, 2010 at 9:30pm

Lauren! My husband bought me all of the cd's on your website, and they are wonderful. I'd heard some before but didn't know who sang them.  Thank you for adding your input!  I am eagerly looking forward to designing classes with these new (to me) albums!
Namaste,

Jean