// On Music

March 24, 2016 / Erica Berman

Considering the way I practice yoga, a big difference for many is the fact I listen to whatever music I like at that point in time. Some still cannot sort out why I listen to what I do, or how it all connects.

Passion and the desire to feel something, I would say has everything to do with it. From music to yoga, both things take you places. Music evokes many feelings, and you can get lost in it. Why not bring something that is powerful and special and meaningful to your yoga practice?

If the goal is to get back to your most authentic self, and that self loves a certain song or melody at the time…why not listen to it. Your practice is yours and yours alone…so use music accordingly.

When talking about yoga though, I’m not immune to the theory that it should be practiced in silence. As someone obsessed with solitude and silence, I can also agree with this. Silence might be the loudest thing you hear all day. Silence is beyond powerful but it does not rule out music as worthy and good in its own, differing, right.

I have often taught in silence, as its the only way to hear god, your own thoughts, and often times, a sense removed allows you to connect with deeper parts of yourself, physically, mentally, and spiritually. So use silence when you need it. Let silence be your music.

But don’t be ashamed to relish in music. I know I do. I don’t think I could trust someone who said they didn’t feel anything from music. Even the sound of your mother’s voice as a baby was rhythmic and soothing.... We are not immune to sound. And music is just a beautiful and creative way of taking all those sounds and making something that people can feel. It almost seems to be a universal truth; even if you don’t know the words or how it’s made, you can feel it.

Musical Influences //

Speaking on a musical background feels ridiculous as I’m far from being in the industry, and thought I was tone deaf after many failed attempts at playing the guitar and the piano (I, sort of, learned to read music?) However, for those who have asked, I can grant you an answer.

Growing up in Mississippi, I bought CD’s in parking lots. Went to BBKing blues festivals. Had friends in soft rock Jesus bands. But I also had a mother who listened to Prince and Merle Haggard and a father who knew every Doo Wop song possibly ever made, and liked Trick Daddy. My brothers got me into a lot of Three 6 Mafia, Lord Infamous, that Tear the Club Up Thugz album, Project Pat, Fraiser Boy, all the cash money kids when they were young and on the come up. It wasn’t just rap though, as current pop hits, old soul classics, and anything that I liked came into the mix. I also had an eclectic group of friends around me, from all different places who would introduce me to a song here or there.

But mostly it grew out of being a sponge, who likes to explore. Whenever I got interested in something I would get into it in a big way. I isolated a lot growing up and I still do. But when you're isolated. You can be creative and have total conviction in the things you are into and just do what you want because there's a lack of outside influence.

Through college and living in NYC to traveling all over, I’ve collected bits of things everywhere I go.