TYPES OF MUSIC IN QOYA

Invite the spirit of music into your Qoya class. Imagine the music as your co-teacher taking women into realms beyond where your words alone can lead. These descriptions outline how music is most effectively utilized during each part of a Qoya class. In addition to to these suggestions, deeply listen to each piece of music you are considering for class and notice how it inspires your body to move!

Click here for a playlist of the music in this document.

Before Class (10 to 15 minutes of music) The purpose of the music here is to set the tone of the upcoming class, introducing its vibe and energy. Choose songs based on sound, tone, and lyrics - but most importantly, those that resonate with the overall theme. This is a good place to put music that you love (provided it fits) that doesn’t really work anywhere else in the class. Examples: Glorious by MaMuse is a great example of a song to set a warm and open vibe in the room as people enter.

Introducing a Class (approximately 5 minutes) No music here is best. Lyrics and even plain sounds can be distracting when people are talking, especially when a depth of presence is being asked for from the listener. Let this be a time to focus on connection and the introduction itself. Just the act of turning off the ‘Before Class’ music can bring an immediate sense of presence and focus to the group.

Optional Stillness Before Class (approximately 5 minutes) If you choose to have people lie down and begin with a meditation, use music that is ambient and spacious. No lyrics. No beat. No build up. Examples: Threnody by Goldmund, Evelyn by Goldmund, Green Arrow by Yo La Tengo

www.qoya.love Transition Songs (approximately 1 minute) Short, unobtrusive, instrumental pieces about a minute or two in length to allow space for instruction between sections of a class. These are not always necessary, but sometimes can be very effective in creating flow. Examples: Outpouring by Luke Spehar, Rise by Jason Mraz, Small Memory by Jon Hopkins, Emancipation by Helios, Grace Hill and Moonrise, IA by The Pines, To Hugo by Clogs, Her Eyes the Stars by LUCHS

Intention Setting (approximately 3-4 minutes) Music without lyrics generally works best here, as this part of class is relatively heavier with cues. A song with lyrics can work great if there is recurrent spaciousness where cues can occur, and if the overall message and tone of the song is resonant with the theme of the class. Music that gently builds and creates a sense of lift can help the embodiment of deepening into one’s Intention. Examples: Embrace by Earthrise Sound System, Faith’s Hymn by Beautiful Chorus, Interval by Biet

Circling (4 to 6 minutes) Pick music that flows and encapsulates ease, simplicity, and a feminine flow. Introduce the idea that our bodies are 70% water, and the earth is 70% water. Use music that inspires flowing from one movement to the next. Avoid songs with too much of a rhythmic beat. Examples: Here comes the Sun by Nina Simone, Every Age by Jose Gonzalez, Break the Shell by India.Arie, Jezebel by Iron & Wine, To Build A Home (feat. Patrick Watson) by the Cinematic Orchestra, Believe by Kathleen Smith, Ring Around the Moon by Elephant Revival, Come to Me by Wah!, Akaal by Ajeet Kaur

Heart Opening (4 to 6 minutes) Pick a song with a good steady heart beat. Know the downbeat so that the experience of moving the heart in all four directions is effective and powerful. Practice several times before teaching. Be sure to turn up the volume of the music when you encourage them to follow their heart and move any way they are called at the end! Examples: Tenere Taqhim Tossam- Four Tet Remix by Tinariwen, Pumpin Blood - The Jane Doze Remix by NONONO, Rise Up by Thomas Jack, Lose Yourself to Dance and Doin’ it Right by Daft Punk and Panda Bear, Bonfire Heart by James Blunt

www.qoya.love Hip Opening (3 to 5 minutes) Choose a song that inspires you to slow down, feel deeply, and go within. Examples: Making Love on the Mountain by the Woodlands, Way Down We Go by Kaleo, River by Ibeyi, Sail by Macy Gray, Mama’s Gonna Give You Love by Emily Wells, Got It by Marian Hill

Dancing Yoga as Prayer (approximately 10 minutes) Choose music that inspires a sense of devotion. This could be via meaningful lyrics, something instrumental, kirtan, spiritual music, etc. Examples: Hari Om (Tiruvannamalai) by Janet Stone and DJ Drez, Explorers of Infinity by DJ Drez and Marti Nikko, Blessed to be a Witness by Ben Harper, Higher Love by James Vincent McMorrow, Let Love Reign by Kevin James, Mountain Hare Krishna by Krishna Das, Jo to Prem by Ajeet Kaur, In Dreams by Jai-Jagdeesh

Shadow Contrast Dance (approximately 5 minutes) Pick music that takes you inwards and downwards. Here’s the place to experiment with heavier, dissonant, and sadder music. Having the perfect song here is pivotal to an effective class. Be sure the music is loud enough to inspire women to go deep into their body. Examples: The Wolves (Act I and II) by Bon Iver, Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, Limit to Your Love by James Blake, Let it Go by James Bay, Troullabundin by Eivov, Human by Rag’n’Bone Man, Million Reasons and Till It Happens to You by Lady Gaga, Chandelier and Breathe Me by Sia

Shaking (3 to 5 minutes) Pick an upbeat song with a steady rhythm that inspires the feeling of shaking. Ideally it should peak near the end to allow for the experience of a heightened full body shake. Be sure the volume is loud enough to inspire a higher energy! Examples: Shake it Out by Florence + the Machine, Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, Woman (Oh Mama) by Joy Williams, Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur by Sigur Ros, Mridanga! by Mayapuris, Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce, Rain Dance (feat M.I.A.) by The Very Best

Choreographed Dance (approximately 3 minutes) Pick songs that inspire a sense of FUN. Make sure the music is not too long. Anything longer than 3 minutes starts to fall flat as people lose energy. Don’t be afraid to lower the volume and end a song early if you sense this happening. Examples: Born this Way by Lady Gaga (Box Step), Macarena by Los del Rio (Macarena), Cream by Prince (Cream Choreography Sequence), Proud Mary by Tina Turner (Proud Mary sequence),

www.qoya.love Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Grapevine and Alakazamshazam), Bar Bhangra by Bharathi Palivela (Bhangra)

Free Dance (3 to 5 minutes) Find the PERFECT song. It has to match the theme in every way - lyrics, beat, mood, tone etc. This song allows the theme to come to its full culmination so it has to be spot on. It works best if it’s a high energy song, conducive to a big dance experience - but there are situations where a slower song might be appropriate. Be sure to have the music at a good volume to inspire their full expression.

Example 1: Happy by Pharrell Williams for a class themed The Vulnerability of Joy Example 2: Problem by Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea for a class themed Letting Go. Example 3: Me Too by Meghan Trainor for a class themed on Unapologetic Self-Love Example 4: Make It Happen by DaboyWay for a class themed Make it Happen. Example 5: Give Love by MC Yogi for a class themed about Love or Giving/Receiving Example 6: Never Give Up by Sia for a class themed Resilience.

Community Sharing (5 to 10 minutes) This is the perfect place to put all the songs you would have loved to use but couldn’t find a place for in the class, provided the songs are not too intense, jarring or distracting from the purpose of Community Sharing. Something to gently take the energy down as a transition from free dance into final stretching and stillness helps cue your class to wind down. Examples: All That You Have is Your Soul by Tracy Chapman, Break the Shell by India.Arie, Requiem by Eliza Gilkyson, Holocene by Bon Iver, Crosses by Jose Gonzalez, Light of a Clear Blue Morning by The Wailin’ Jennings, Strangers by the Kinks, High Tide or Low Tide by Bob Marley,

Stretching (5 to 10 minutes) At this point of the class, you want to relax the body rather than continue to stimulate it. If you can find a gentle song with great lyrics that complement the theme, that’s a bonus. Examples: Relief by Sam Amidon, Gentle with Myself by Karen Drucker, May You Find A Light by The Brilliance, Returning by Jennifer Berezan

Savasana (3 to 5 minutes) This is best done with ambient, instrumental music that creates space and does not have a steady beat. Music with no lyrics is best. No speaking, reading poetry, etc. over the music. Allow people to return to themselves and have a really deep rest for their mind, body, and spirit. Examples: Labyrinthine by Juliana Barwick, Threnody and Evelyn by Goldmund, 2/1 by Brian Eno

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Ending the Class (5 to 10 minutes) A good place to put some feel-good music on as people venture out of the class and back into their day. Examples: Wildflowers by Tom Petty, Follow the Sun by Xavier Rudd, Best of My Love by The Emotions

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