Shake Your Asana, Vol. 3: Top 10 [Instrumental] Yoga Songs

It's been a long time since I've done a "Shake Your Asana" post. In fact, I just checked, and the last one went up in July, 2011--so yeah, a long time.

This time around, I don't think it needs much introduction. You all know that I love music, you all know how I feel about music in yoga classes (hint: LOVE), and you all know that I spend mucho time making my class playlists each month. Thus, this post is simply a personal roundup of sorts, listing my Top 10 INSTRUMENTAL yoga songs. 

Why "instrumental" this time? Because I've been using more instrumental songs in my classes lately. 

I know I've mentioned this here before, but this is basically because I've recently moved to a new place (and a new yoga community), and my former playlists had gotten pretty, um, lets say, progressive. However, my former students knew to expect a wide variety of songs in my classes, and I believe that they didn't find it distracting, but rather, a part of the experience (at least I hope this is true!). 

But, since moving, I've noticed that most teachers here on the Cape use pretty soft, fairly traditional music in their classes. Although this isn't my style, I have tried to back off a bit from my typical music choices, in order to ease my new students into my class experience (one in which music plays a bigger part in the class), by using more songs without words. Over time, I hope to add more songs with vocals back into my playlists--once my students come to expect a more upbeat soundtrack in my classes. 

Make sense? 

Having said that, let me emphasize that just because a song doesn't have words or vocals does NOT mean that it doesn't have energy. Or that it can't be extremely powerful, upbeat, and/or moving. 

To prove it, I've included my Top 10 Instrumental Yoga Songs below (countdown to #1!): 


 10.  Voice by DJ Drez

9. Where is My Mind by Maxence Cyrin

8. Opus 37 by Dustin O'Halloran

7. Angel of Hope by Omar Akram

6. The Forgotten People by Thievery Corporation

5. Wake Up by Anesthesia

4. The Resistance by 2Cellos

3.  Ketto by Bonobo

2. Song of the Caged Bird by Lindsey Stirling. 

1. Truth by Balmorhea. 

So many beautiful songs! It was terribly hard to pick just 10! Therefore, here are a few other favorites, which I'll call "The Honorable Mentions:" 

• Deep in an Ancient Hawaiian Forest by Makana
• Svadhishtana by Osel
• Wurlizer by The Lushlife Project
• Moments (Lahzeha) by Hamed Nikpay

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! I hope that you, too, can now understand the power of vocal-less songs ;)

Want more yoga music recommendations? Check out my class playlists and/or the following past posts:

• Shake Your Asana: Top 10 Yoga Songs 
• Shake Your Asana, Volume 2: 10 More Amazing Yoga Songs
• Shake Your Asana, Volume 4: Top 10 [Upbeat + Energizing] Yoga Songs
• The Best Music for Yoga: Top 10 [Non-New-Age] Artists/Groups
• How to Make a Yoga Class Playlist
  
• 10 Must-Have Savasana Songs
• The Sound of Music (In Yoga): What Do You Like to Practice To?

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