Yoga practitioners are taking to heavy metal music in a move once thought to be unthinkable as part of their yoga sessions, according to Hello Giggles reports. They’re practicing on sessions while listening to an unconventional soundtrack compared with what might typically accompany such sessions: heavy metal.
Angela Fontaine of Easthampton’s Vortex Fitness & Dance hosts a genre-blending metal yoga class every Friday; her aim is to expand access to yoga.
Compile a Playlist
Music can be an incredibly effective tool in yoga classes, but selecting the appropriate tracks is essential to its success. When selecting music for your class playlist, take into account both its type and energy requirements – rock or metal music may work best to promote high energy classes; classical or instrumental compositions might work better in other cases.
Ami Norton describes in her article on Black Yoga how she uses music from drone, experimental ambient, depressive black metal and post-rock as her classes’ soundtrack, which serves to “shake up your chakras but in just the right way.” This contemporary form of yoga seeks to help participants channel negative emotions into positive physical experiences.
An effective yoga playlist must allow students to focus and unwind during practice, making instrumental music or songs without lyrics an ideal way to facilitate this goal. Furthermore, any tracks which could distract or trigger students who are newer to the practice should be avoided altogether.
When selecting music for a yoga class, it’s advisable to keep two things in mind when selecting your music: 1) what kind of class will be taking place and 2) the desired atmosphere or ambience that needs to be created. You could even create playlists specifically tailored for certain forms of yoga such as vinyasa flow or restorative sessions.
For an upbeat class, add hard metal or punk music to your playlist – their pounding drums and fiery guitar riffs provide ample motivation when strength training moves are being performed. If you prefer something slower-paced, choose soft rock or classic metal instead.
Sleep are an obvious choice for a meditation-oriented class, as their songs provide deep introspection. Neurosis provides excellent post-metal tones perfect for relaxing into flow state meditation sessions, and Black Metal band Wolves in the Throne Room’s music is another superb choice, offering harsh shrieks mixed with folk melodies for even deeper introspection.
Think About Your Dark Moods
Heavy metal music yoga is a new form of exercise which utilises songs from this genre to connect people to their emotions and practice yoga. While heavy metal may often be associated with anger and aggression, its music can actually be very calming; all that needs to be done is finding suitable songs from all the styles available!
Metal music specifically tailored for yoga tends to be slower and mellower than typical rock or punk; this allows it to match the pace and rhythm of yoga moves while providing an emotional outlet during exercise sessions. Furthermore, music can also help participants focus on breathing exercises or meditation more easily.
Choose music that resonates with the emotions you want to elicit during your workout, for instance if you wish to experience happiness while doing yoga, choose music by bands such as Black Sabbath or Metallica; such music will provide a boost of positivity that makes workout sessions even more pleasurable.
Yoga with metal music can be an enjoyable way to release stress and frustration while keeping fitness fun! Play it during class or at home to help focus your workout and calm down. Plus, this method also brings friends and family along for the ride!
Recent research indicates that listening to heavy metal music can provide equal amounts of stress relief as sitting quietly. Researchers conducted an experiment on people who had never before encountered metal music. After playing them some songs for an extended period, the experimenters asked these newcomers about their mood rating afterwards; results indicated an increase in both heart rate and brain activity – two indicators of emotional volatility.
There are various styles of yoga which incorporate music. Beer yoga, goat yoga and rage yoga are just three such practices; metal music yoga stands out among them all as one of the more unique varieties available.
Be Careful if You Live in an Apartment
Many metal fans also appreciate yoga, making the combination both enjoyable and beneficial. But when practicing this form of yoga in shared housing situations such as apartment complexes or shared housing communities there are some key considerations. You must ensure you keep music volumes to an appropriate level while avoiding hosting parties that disturb neighbors.
Metal can help you focus and clear your mind, as well as provide inspiration in terms of freedom and liberty struggles. One iconic song by Metallica pays a moving tribute to John Lennon who was shot by a sniper in 1980 before eventually passing away shortly thereafter; “Let There Be Peace on Earth” celebrates both his life and work to end war in favor of world peace.
Similar to yoga music, metal can also serve to bring your practice back to your roots by offering familiar yet powerful sounds – for instance the drone metal acts such as Sunn O))) are ideal for yoga sessions as is ambient black metal such as Agalloch. Even progressive groups like Opeth can help bring about calm states.
Metal music can help bring people back to themselves and also remind them they belong to a larger community. Metal fans have long been celebrated for their strong sense of community; according to UCL anthropology student Lindsay Bishop’s research study on this phenomenon at UCL, one reason metal thrives today. Their communities offer support and acceptance to people who feel alienated from mainstream society or simply need an outlet.
Don’t Be Afraid to Scream
Heavy metal music may have the reputation of inducing anger and aggression in listeners, but that’s far from being the truth. Many fans use metal music as an outlet to channel their negative energy into something positive and productive – for this reason some instructors choose metal as background music in yoga classes – because metal provides a great way to energize workouts such as running or cycling.
Metal can help with balance and endurance, core and leg strength training, improving flexibility and relieving stress and tension. Furthermore, many metal songs feature catchy rhythms to keep you going during long workouts.
Though most may consider metal unsuitable for yoga classes, heavy metal can actually provide the ideal relaxing atmosphere during a yoga class. Riffs and drum beats often become mesmerizingly soothing while vocals provide the opportunity for creating an inviting ambiance.
Finding songs that work for you is key in creating the ideal atmosphere for yoga practice. Some metal bands offer sounds ideal for yoga practice while others may have chaotic or aggressive elements that would disrupt a calming session. Sleep is an excellent doom metal band to consider as its music has a droning quality which allows users to meditate upon.
Other bands like Deftones and Tool also produce songs suitable for yoga practice, with sounds that blend metal with alternative rock that can help facilitate an introspective practice. Furthermore, their vocals tend to feature soothing low melodic tones which provide additional relaxation benefits.
If you’re interested in heavy metal music yoga, classes can be found throughout the country and even held at bars and gyms. With many different kinds of yoga to choose from, one should definitely meet your preferences; whether that means drinking beer (beer yoga) or swearing (rage yoga).