Electronic music is now hitting the studio's with big name artists and DJ's such as Moby and 'Above & Beyond' creating sets for yoga and mediation practices, taking yoga to a higher state of consciousness.
The incredible worldwide phenomenon of dance music originates from the late 70’s. In the US, it was Frankie Knuckles that first introduced House music to his club ‘The Warehouse’. While in Europe, English electronic pop like 'Depeche Mode' and 'Soft Cell' and the earlier, more disco-based sounds of Giorgio Moroder, Klein & MBO also helped to give rise to dance music as we know it today.
From these origins, various distinct genres evolved: Ambient; Trance; Garage; Drum & Bass; Breakbeat and more recently ‘yoga music’, borrowing elements of Ambient and Trance to complement yoga practice and mediation.
DJ’s such as Moby and ‘Above & Beyond’ have been experimenting with this music and the results are unbelievably soothing and ambient.
Ellen Brower, an influential yoga teacher that collaborated with ‘Above & Beyond’ at the Burning Man festival, held each year in the Nevada Desert, stated:
“In the case of Burning Man, ambient music always adds to and enhances the experience by giving the yogis another way to focus their attention and efficiently release any unnecessary thinking that could be clouding their space.”
Ever since the Burning Man yoga session, ‘Above & Beyond’ have continued to explore their relationship with the yoga community and last year released a Spotify playlist to coincide with International Yoga Day.
It is no surprise then that Moby, a pioneer in electronic music and an integral figure in bringing dance music mainstream to the UK and US, is also experimenting with yoga music. Last year, he released a free 4-hour yoga compilation that he had stockpiled for his own practice, sleep and meditation.
It is not just mainstream DJ’s that are now experimenting with this type of music. Many yoga teachers work in partnership with live DJs, finding that they can really motivate, focus and add to the cohesion in a group. Playlists are carefully crafted to sync with the pacing of the teacher and the energy in the room. Enhancing your yoga practice and perhaps even brining you to a higher level of consciousness.
Listen to Moby's yoga playlist from 'Above&Beyond' here
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