A Million Savasanas
I have a gift for you.
When students ask about my playlists, it’s usually for the tracks I play during Savasana. These songs are moody, melodious, and often captivating. They play at a point in our practice where emotions are likely running higher and there’s less focus on moving or deep breathing. These are the songs to get lost in when you’re sprawled out, sinking into your mat and absorbing all that your practice brought you.
So here you go - a playlist with all the Savasana songs from all the classes I’ve taught, ever. And ok, so it’s not a million songs - put it on repeat.
Honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t make this playlist sooner. I, myself, could’ve used it long ago with all the afternoons I’ve spent zoned out and laying flat on my living room floor. But now it’s here, and I’ll keep adding to it.
Instructors Tips
Finding Savasana Songs
I’m sure the community is divided on what is considered appropriate music for Savasana, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with experimenting. Music is a great way for an instructor to give their class a personal touch. I would consider:
Soundtracks: Movie scores and soundtracks are a gold mine. Think back to that scene that gave you all the feels!
Beats: I think about the rhythm of a heartbeat when I hear songs with a heavy beat. And sometimes, when I'm drifting into Savasana, I imagine my pulse in sync with the song. I would just avoid songs with a high BPM - try to match the energy level you expect students will have at that point in your sequence.
Songs with lyrics: Especially if they tell a vivid story or deliver a message that aligns with your class theme - don’t write these off!
Sad songs: I like the moodiness sad songs can invoke. I think they also fit well with classes themed around emotional awareness, cycles, non-attachment, or new beginnings.
Covers: This could be a good way to make your favorite non-yoga songs fit your class. It’s easy nowadays to find instrumental versions of some of the most popular songs.
Other instructors: Follow your favorite instructors on Apple Music or Spotify. I guarantee you they won’t care if you borrow from their playlists.
Timing Songs to your Sequence
Get familiar with adjusting your queue. Most music services will let you adjust your song queue while music is playing. Knowing your platform will allow you to easily add or remove songs, or reorganize them on the fly.
Add more songs than you need. I hate skipping around my playlist and would prefer to set it and forget it. I’ve found the easiest way to make sure a Savasana song plays during Savasana is to add multiple tracks toward the end of my playlist, right around the time I expect to lead students into their final pose. It’s almost always easier to remove songs from your queue than to add them in during class.
Use blank tracks. For some classes, it’s important to me to have a specific song start and end during Savasana - this is usually the case if it’s a lyrical song with a message aligned to my theme. For classes like this, I’ll use blank or silent tracks as a buffer between my Savasana song and the rest of the playlist. You can usually find these in varying lengths, from just 30 seconds to 20 minutes. Toward the end of class, when you notice the music fade out (because the blank track started playing), you know the Savasana song is up next. When you’re ready to cue students into Savasana, just make one skip forward, and you’re perfectly aligned.