Yoga by Lorien

Music

The soundtrack to the yoga experience is quite important, so I am very careful in my selections. I find that music can really help to calm an active mind or uplift a sluggish body, deepening the yoga or meditation experience. In general, I prefer music that does not have vocals, especially in a meditative practice. Sometimes, if the practice is more introspective, I will practice simply to the music of my breath, or the sound of ocean waves. The practices that are intended to uplift and move energy will have heavier beats and some singing - sometimes it will even be popular music. Here are some favorite CDs that I recommend:

• Shamanic Dream by Anugama: good "chill" instrumental for slow flow, yin/restorative or meditation

• Anjali by Benjy Wertheimer & Michael Mandrell: good instrumental for slow flow, yin/restorative or meditation

• House Made of Dawn by Coyote Oldman: beautiful wind instrumental good for yin/restorative or meditation

• Shaman's Vision by David Gordon, Steve Gordon: mellow chanting and rhythmic beats good for slow flow, yin

• Dakshina, The Essence, Moola Mantra all by Deva Premal: incredibly beautiful vocals good for uplifting flow, yin/restorative (this is the artist I am most asked about)

• Drala by Drala: good instrumental for uplifting flow, yin/restorative

• Bali Dua by Jalan Jalan: Eastern "chill" with a few dreamy vocals good for yin/restorative or meditation

• Yoga Rhythm by Soulfood: mild vocals and rhythmic beats good for uplifting flow

• Deja-Blues by Steven Halpern: hypnotic beats good for slow flow, yin/restorative