The Best Music For Yoga: Top 10 [Non-New Age] Artists/Groups

If you've been reading Starr Struck for a while or you've ever been to one of my yoga classes, you know that for me, yoga and music go hand-in-hand. One of the best parts of reading through the results of my 2013 Reader Survey was going over all of your answers to the question, "If you practice yoga, what is your favorite yoga song/artist/type of music to listen to while you practice?" 

Not only did I get tons of new artists and songs to check out from these answers (many of which you'll hear on my August class playlist soon, so thank you!), but I was also able to see some interesting trends in the types of music that you all like to hear while practicing (which made me smile, because many of your favorites are also my favorites!). 

So, today, I thought it only appropriate to share a list of my readers' [your] favorite non-new agey yoga artists and musicians, so that you, too, can be exposed to new music that can add great energy to your yoga practice. 

Keep in mind that these are the non-yoga-focused artists that were mentioned multiple times in the survey responses, so you will not find your favorite yogi artists listed here. That's not because I don't LOVE yoga-specific artists or bands, because I do (!), but because I feel that it can be fun to mix it up and add other types of music to your yoga playlists, and yogi-artists are often a no-brainer. 

Therefore, without further ado, here are your Top 10 [Non-Yogi] Artists to Listen to While Practicing--in order of preference/how many times they were mentioned (all of these artists were mentioned repeatedly!): 

1. Florence and the Machine: By far the most popular! Many of you listed Flo as one of your favorite musicians to practice to, and I agree 100%. Btw, not to brag, but I went to her concert back in September... ;)
   
2. Coldplay: As one of you said, "I can't hear certain coldplay songs without going into a sun salutation series." Haha! I love it and ditto. 
3. Alexi Murdoch: Classic yogi favorite. If you're not familiar with his music, I recommend listening to "Don't Forget to Breathe," "All of My Days," or "Orange Sky." So beautiful. 
4. Bon Iver: Yes, yes, and yes. There's just something about Justin Vernon's haunting voice and Bon Iver's softly-powerful music that is perfect for yoga. Ahhhhh. 
5. Iron and Wine: So many songs to chose from here! I play quite a bit of Iron and Wine in my classes, but want to warn you that you should be mindful about which songs you pick to play, as some that are too wordy or talk too much about religious figures can be distracting to students (I've learned from experience). 
6. Passion Pit: OMG, I cannot agree with you guys more. I am obsessed with Passion Pit! PP = musical genius at play. 
7. Feist: Beautiful, inspiring, and quirky. Check them out. 
8. Regina Spektor: Probably one of my favorite artists EVER. Seriously, you guys. Although I have only played one or two of her songs in my classes over the years (because I always worry that her weird lyrics and vocal tricks will take students out of the moment), I think she is simply unbelievable and love every single one of her songs from every single one of her albums. Big fan. 
9. Joni Mitchell: Classic. The only non-newer artist who made the Top 10, which I find interesting...
10. The Swell Season: Another one of my music loves and I agree, wonderful for yoga. You guys have some SERIOUSLY good taste! Yay! My readers are fab (as if I didn't already know that!). 

Here are some other non-yogi artists that you mentioned liking to practice to: 

• Pink Floyd
• Of Monsters and Men
• Dispatch
  
• Sufjan Stevens
• Fiona Apple
• Radiohead
• Tristen

• Bob Dylan
• Beck
• She & Him
• The XX
• Damien Rice
• Ellie Goulding
• Josh Ritter

• Scotch & Sofa
• Porcupine Tree
• Laura Marling
• Phildel
• Sea Wolf
• Mimicking Birds
• The Lumineers
• 
  

• Zoe Keating
  
• Paul Simon
• Explosions in the Sky
  
• Shiny Toy Guns
  
• Trampled by Turtles
• Kanye West
• 
  

Overall, most of you seem enjoy listening to alternative or Indie music while practicing (at least that's what you told me!), and many of you like a wide variety of genres in your class playlists--from reggae, to hip hop, to electronica, to classic rock, to kirtan. I loved reading this, as I really do feel the same way and am happy to hear that we're all so compatible when it comes to musical taste :)

Oh, and this answer to the question made me kind of sad: "I get an F  for this question since I haven't been practicing yoga lately :( " 

Here's my response to that comment, and to all of you who might have a similar feeling when you take a break from practicing regularly: Don't give yourself an F if you haven't been to the mat recently! It's always there for you and will be waiting when you come back to the practice. Sometimes life gets in the way and you shouldn't beat yourself up about it. Practice a little self-compassion--that's yoga in itself. 

Looking for more yoga music goodness? Here are some past Starr Struck yoga music posts:

• Shake Your Asana: Top 10 Yoga Songs 
• Shake Your Asana, Volume 2: 10 More Amazing Yoga Songs
• Shake Your Asana, Volume 3: Top 10 [Instrumental] Yoga songs
• Shake Your Asana, Volume 4: Top 10 [Upbeat + Energizing] Yoga Songs
• 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?

Thanks for being my source of great music and musical camaraderie! You can check out all of myyoga class playlists here. 

See you [grooving] on the mat soon...

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