Music and Yoga Therapy

Do you listen to music whilst practising yoga or teaching?

Here are some fantastic benefits on why we choose to include music in our practice over the equally beautiful silent sound of life itself.

Dopamine and Oxytocin

Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that performs many functions throughout the nervous system and is associated with reward-motivated behaviour. While many people believe that dopamine is released upon reward, dopamine is released in anticipation of a reward. Music gives us that crescendo of suspense and sometimes sends shivers down the spine with the reward we get from listening to it. Choosing unpredictable playlists is essential for this! Shuffle it up!

One very effective mechanism of increasing dopamine levels in the meditation environment and keeping things fresh is using appropriate music and having the body move mindfully to the music for great neuroplastic and bioplastic change. This fact is also crucial in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and can revitalise long lost memories in the latter condition (watch ABC’s Catalyst below).

Music also lifts oxytocin levels, giving us a shared common elevated experience in concerts and when you play music in the home. If you play music in the house, you increase closeness between members of your household.

David Levinson (Your Brain on Music) had a study that compared families who played music together versus those who didn’t. The study revealed that your relationships become more robust when you play music out loud in the same room. You begin to sit a little closer, you spend more time together, and sex between couples increases by up to 67 per cent ** (Source)

Listed below are some podcast shows that are worth listening to to understand this science more deeply.

Music’s effects on the dopamine reward system

Watch ABC’s Catalyst for 30 minutes.
Music and dopamine in memory and healing Parkinsons (includes oxytocin and music science)