I find that a great playlist can mean the difference between a ho-hum practice and an inspired one. Here's what's on my Ashtanga Playlist (best played on Shuffle mode)
- Baba O'Riley by The Who
- Bullet with Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins
- Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) by Beyonce
- Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship
- Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
- Don't You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds
- When We Were Young by the Killers
- Crazy on You by Heart
- Cherry Lips by Garbage
- War Pigs by Faith No More
- Paint It, Black by The Rolling Stones
- Elevation by U2
- Sabotage by Beastie Boys
- Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd
- John the Fisherman by Primus
- Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz
(and more songs that betray my age...)
Purists may think that only New Age music or recorded chantings are appropriate when doing your sadhana. Some even think silence is required. But so what if I listen to Guns n Roses' greatest hits while sweating through the standing series? In the end, I finish my practice, happy and contented. And I guess that's what counts :)