Ashtanga Yoga and Music

[Guest guest]

Good morning

 

I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga for the first time in August

2001. I have, ever since, maintained a regular practice of twice a

week, which I hope to make more frequent.

 

Lately I was subjected to an Ashtanga yoga class during which pop

music was being played all through.

 

Here are the things I can outline from this experience :

-less breath/movement synchronization, since the music made it harder

for me to hear my ujjayi breath

-more discursive and scattered attention, due to the music and the

personal memories or thoughts linked to it.

-more persistent thoughts that had nothing to do with what was going

on in the room (here and now) or in my body.

-more inclined to go through this class in a lazy way by 'blindly'

following the instructions and letting go of the concentration, since

my mind could be fed by the music

 

I would like to know if anyone of you once experienced doing Ashtanga

in a group while music was being played through from within the room,

and how you did experience it.

 

I agree that there is room for creativity in teaching yoga, and I

have seen and experienced very good results with a hand-drum pacing

through an Ashtanga class, helping to establish a rhythm for the

breath. But pop music didn't do it for me.

 

Thanks.