Playlist #4: Matching the energy with the students
Chelsea Wolfe, Ladytron, Crystal Castles & Robert Smith
I take requests at the top of class. Almost always. Taking them *can* complicate things, but with practice it can be done. There’s a method for incorporating requests into what I’ve already planned (but more on that another time). The class on Monday made requests around working out the kinks from the weekend, neck and shoulders, and requested a slow way in to practice.
While I had this playlist picked out already, on the fly, I added “Circles” just to extend the runway into class before we got going with our theme of asymmetrical backbends.
We ended on “Dusk”, as I started the playlist about 15 minutes in. This banger by Chelsea Wolfe is one of my favorite savasana tracks, even though it’s got powerful vocals and crunchy, distorted guitar. A wisely chosen doom metal track can be extremely regulating for my nervous system. Filling the room with a slow, tidal beat gets me, and hopefully my students to breath slow.
Because it’s me, and I’m teaching a class that I’d want to attend with music I’d want to listen to, I do take cues from how my own body, brain and nervous system takes to the song. “Dusk” doesn’t have sharp edges, dramatic shifts, screaming vocals or extreme volume changes throughout. It fills the room with a consistent powerful, droning soundscape, which at the right volume (not too loud, just loud enough to hear it all), helps me to settle into a meditative state. But yes, I admit, when I’m at home, I’m the sort that plays Tool’s “Ænema” at full volume.
All you can do is teach, create playlists and choose the practices to share with your student that you can get behind. They should feel like you. They should be classes you want to attend. From there, your students will find you.