Music is My Medicine: How I Make My Yoga Playlists

Few things shape emotion and energy like music. It speaks to the body and the soul at the same time.

It can lift the spirit, calm the nervous system, or help one reconnect to their mind and experiences. When I started doing yoga, it naturally became an integral part of my practice.

Now, as I learn to teach, building a playlist is part of how I create an atmosphere that feels aligned with the practice and the people in it.

Here’s how I build yoga playlists that support intention, mood, and presence, and how you can, too.

1. Match the Music to Your Intention

Before I pick a single song, I ask: What kind of energy am I working with today?

If I’m doing a strong, steady flow, I’ll look for tracks with motivating rhythms that help me stay focused and connected. But if I’m aiming for something gentler or more restorative, I’ll choose slower tempos and softer sounds.

It’s important not to use music to force a certain vibe. I’ve tried playing a high-energy playlist on days I felt completely worn out, thinking it would push me through a power flow. It never works.

Yoga isn’t something you push through just to check a box. It should reflect your real energy, not create a false one.

Music can be a powerful tool for tapping into this energy and aligning our bodies’ rhythms with rhythms we can tangibly experience.

2. Be Mindful of the Lyrics

Yoga is a space for awareness and stillness, even in motion. That includes what we allow ourselves to listen to.

You don’t have to limit yourself to traditional yoga music, but it’s important to be intentional about the lyrics.

Even if we’re not consciously listening to every word, our nervous system is taking it all in. For me, that means avoiding harsh, chaotic, or overly distracting lyrics.

This doesn’t mean you have to be rigid. Just choose songs that help you stay present.

Think about how the music is supporting your mindset—whether that’s clarity, peace, energy, or softness.

3. Start and End with Stillness

The beginning and end of your practice are sacred moments. They’re a time to tune in and reflect.

I usually open with instrumental music or soft mantra-based tracks—something steady and minimal. It gives me space to ask: How am I feeling today? What am I bringing into this practice?

At the end of class or during savasana, I bring in similarly calming music to help settle the body and shift inward again.

It’s not just about creating ambiance. Music can physically affect your breath and heart rate, so the rhythms you choose here really matter.

4. Build Energy Like a Wave

Think of your playlist like the arc of your class. I build my playlists like I sequence my flows: with a rise, a peak, and a descent.

Start grounded. Then, as your movement becomes more dynamic, gradually increase the energy of the music. Save your most powerful track for around the peak pose. After that, let it taper back down with slower, softer tracks during the cooldown.

Your playlist should guide your energy in a natural flow along with your movement.

5. Stick With It or Switch It Up

Some people love using the same playlist over and over because it brings rhythm and predictability. You know what’s coming, and that can help you tune in more deeply.

Use points in the music to build consistency in your practice. For example, hold a pose for the entire chorus of a certain song each time you flow.

Other days, you might crave something fresh. Swap in a few new songs, shuffle the order, or build a completely new list.

There’s no right or wrong here. It’s your practice, and your playlist should reflect that.

6. Take the Music Off the Mat

If a playlist helps you feel grounded, peaceful, or empowered, don’t limit it to your yoga mat. Play it during your commute, when you’re feeling anxious, or while cooking.

Your body remembers. When you associate certain music with presence and calm, you can revisit that feeling whenever you need to.

Final Thought

Music is a tool, not the whole practice. A good playlist can help you feel more connected and more present, but the heart of your practice comes from your intention.

Choose music that reflects where you are. Let it support your energy, your breath, and your peace. Keep the space sacred, and always make it your own.