20 Best Songs for Yoga to Help You Flow, Focus, and Breathe
Choosing the right music can completely transform your practice, and if you’re wondering what the best songs for yoga really are, you’re not alone. Whether you’re flowing through sun salutations or sinking into stillness, the soundtrack you select shapes the emotional and energetic arc of your session. The best songs for yoga don’t distract—they support. They create space for breath, movement, and focus. And they meet you where you are, whether that’s calm, restless, heavy, or open. Below, you’ll find 20 thoughtful selections to guide your practice from start to finish.
Why Music Matters in Your Yoga Practice
Music has always had the power to alter our internal states. It calms, energizes, centers, and inspires. In yoga, where so much of the work is internal, sound becomes an outer layer of support for the emotional journey you’re already on. That’s why the best yoga songs aren’t always the most popular ones—they’re the ones that allow you to drop in deeper, stay present longer, and return to your breath more gently.
Good yoga music is about atmosphere, not performance. It’s not there to steal your focus, but to create a mood—whether that’s a soft hum of peace during savasana or a low pulse guiding your vinyasa flow. Think of it like a soundtrack to your breath, and choose with intention.
Let’s begin by building your playlist from the inside out—starting with breath, then movement, then stillness.
Centering and Breathwork (Beginning Your Practice)
This is the moment your body is still adjusting to the space. You’re seated or lying down, connecting to the breath, gently transitioning from your day into your practice. The best songs for this phase are spacious, ambient, and emotionally grounding. They don’t demand attention—they invite you in.
1. “Weightless” – Marconi Union
This song has been scientifically studied for its calming effects on the nervous system. Its seamless ambient tones create a deeply meditative space, perfect for the opening few minutes of your practice. It helps you settle, breathe, and quiet your mind.
2. “Om Shanti Om” – MC Yogi
A blend of traditional mantra with modern rhythms, this track bridges ancient and contemporary with ease. It brings a peaceful energy while still offering structure. Ideal if you want a gentle mantra vibe without full-on chanting.
3. “Elegy” – Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy
This song sounds like a whisper from another world. It’s cinematic, deeply emotional, and beautifully haunting. Perfect for introspective beginnings or for classes focused on letting go.
4. “Dawn Chorus” – Hidden Orchestra
Natural sounds meet subtle instrumentation in this piece, creating a sense of waking up—both physically and emotionally. The slow build and gentle rhythm are great for breath awareness or gentle seated poses.
5. “Sun Will Set” – Zoë Keating
The layered cello tones create a rich emotional landscape that encourages presence. It’s elegant, patient, and beautifully suited for opening sequences or early morning practice.
Flow and Movement (Sun Salutations & Vinyasa)
Once your breath is steady and your awareness is rooted, it’s time to start moving. These tracks support active sequences like sun salutations, standing flows, and more energetic transitions. They have rhythm, but never overpower the breath.
1. “Intro” – The xx
With its minimalist guitar and soft electronic undertones, “Intro” builds gently, making it ideal for flowing into your first few rounds of movement. It offers momentum without rushing.
2. “Night Owl” – Galimatias
This track has a dreamy, downtempo vibe with enough pulse to carry a slow-to-moderate vinyasa sequence. The textures are smooth and modern, great for evening flows or moodier sequences.
3. “Desert Dwellers” – Seeing Things
A fusion of tribal beats and atmospheric soundscapes, this song works wonderfully for grounding your movements while keeping the energy alive. It’s earthy and hypnotic, supporting fluid transitions.
4. “Breathing Light” – East Forest
East Forest’s music is designed for spiritual practice, and this track offers both melody and mindfulness. Its gentle electronics and meditative rhythm are well suited for slower vinyasa flows or mindful transitions.
5. “Angels” – The xx
Another pick from The xx, this track is slower but rich in emotional tone. It’s a good bridge piece between more energetic songs and longer-held poses. Ideal for deepening awareness as the body warms.
Deep Stretching and Yin Yoga
As the tempo slows and you move into longer holds, your music should mirror that shift. The best songs for this phase are emotionally resonant, slow, and soulful. They invite reflection and surrender without dictating how you feel.
1. “In My Veins” – Andrew Belle
This song blends melancholy and hope beautifully, making it ideal for deeper stretches or introspective moments. Its soft vocals and repetitive guitar lines help quiet the mind and encourage openness.
2. “Nightlight” – Moby
From Moby’s ambient album designed for rest and recovery, “Nightlight” is a lush soundscape that cradles your breath. It’s great for restorative postures or the stillness between deep stretches.
3. “Song for You” – Alexi Murdoch
Warm, acoustic, and soul-baring, this song encourages emotional presence. It’s gentle enough for background play but rich enough to enhance the depth of your practice. Ideal for yin yoga or a heart-opening sequence.
4. “Kettering” – The Antlers
For those who welcome a little darkness in their practice, this track brings rawness and honesty. It’s slower and more emotionally complex, best used in sequences focused on inner processing or gentle release.
5. “Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley
A classic that’s been covered a thousand times, but Buckley’s version is quietly sacred. While not traditionally “yoga,” its beauty and humility can hold you in long stretches or during reflective poses.
Savasana and Meditation (Closing Your Practice)
The final moments of your practice deserve as much attention as the beginning. This is where you absorb the benefits, return to stillness, and reconnect with your inner quiet. The best savasana songs are either instrumental or mantra-based, offering softness, repetition, and grounding.
1. “Awakening” – Snatam Kaur
This mantra-based song is filled with light. Snatam’s voice is gentle and uplifting, and the pace is perfect for meditation or a long savasana. It adds a devotional quality to your closing that feels timeless.
2. “Shavasana” – Wah!
As the title suggests, this track is specifically designed for savasana. It blends soft vocals and serene instrumentation to ease you into deep rest. It’s neither too emotional nor too empty—it’s simply calming.
3. “Quiet Friend” – Ólafur Arnalds
Piano, strings, and silence weave together in this minimalist masterpiece. It invites stillness without effort and is ideal for ending a practice that’s been physically or emotionally intense.
4. “We Are Stardust” – Nessi Gomes
This song is a lyrical, ambient meditation on existence and identity. It feels cosmic yet deeply personal. It’s perfect for moments when you want your savasana to feel expansive and sacred.
5. “Farewell” – Blue Sky Black Death
A haunting, ambient piece that drifts without ever feeling heavy. It’s best used when your class or personal practice ends on a note of deep reflection. The tones are low, steady, and cinematic—perfect for full body surrender.
Make Space for Stillness and Sound
Creating the perfect yoga playlist isn’t about checking boxes or choosing trendy tracks—it’s about building an emotional arc that complements your body’s movement and your mind’s needs. The best songs for yoga are the ones that meet you where you are and hold space for where you’re going.
As you explore your personal rhythm, allow your music to evolve with you. Try out different sounds. Mix in unexpected genres. Trust your instincts. What works for someone else’s vinyasa class might not work for your evening stretch routine—and that’s okay.
Remember, yoga is as much about listening inward as it is about any pose or breath. Let your playlist become an extension of that listening. Let it guide you gently toward presence, peace, and self-awareness. And most of all, enjoy the sound of your own journey.