The Healing Power of Music
Years ago, I used to do long solo drives back and forth from CT to DC regularly to see my Grandparents.
On these car rides, I would make playlists ( or mix tapes that turned into burned cd’s) and the whole ride, I would imagine groups of people moving to these songs. I would see dances & rhythms & bodies flow between songs.
I loved making mixes that evoked emotions & brought up memories from life, sometimes real &sometimes just dreams of the life I longed for.
Later as a yoga/movement/fitness teacher/guide — I would get the same high making my playlists before classes.
I loved the gentle, tender restorative blends for candlelight yoga, the playful vibes for our Playtime ( all age) classes, and then of course our Prenatal Fit where I played loads of 90s hip hop/dance as we squatted in circles around the room.
Now, I mostly share movement and embodiment practices with THE VILLAGE
And I keep a lot of it for myself, learning how to just ENJOY sacred movement as prayer, pleasure, grief, rage and everything in between.
Music is one of my love languages.
Now, whenever I’m in some sort of a mood/ funk- I either put on my sneaks and my earbuds and get outdoors OR I go in the basement and turn up the speakers to move.
Over the years I created a bunch of playlists for all the feels.
Lately, I’ve been sitting in the car for an extra 10–15minutes after carpool and just pull over somewhere random, sit back and close my eyes to a mix. It’s the in between working and mothering. It’s my little nest of restoration.
Even after just a short ( 10–15minutes) walk, dance break or car pause- my body/ mind/ spirit is different.
Sometimes, I’m really just TIRED and need to rest and so I nap.
Sometimes, I’m so energized and aligned after doing this I get right back to work, joyfully.
Sometimes, I’m so full of sadness and grief that I’ll let the playlist keep going. 20–30–40+ Minutes. Until there’s something I have to do. And sometimes, I actually have to cancel what I may have committed to b/c I’m not really up for it.
Music for healing is an ancient practice and may we continue to hear and honor music that is created with heart and devotion, fun and joy, play and release for all the days of our lives!
Some of my favorite playlists:
ENJOY.
XO,
Pleasance
