A (7)

Stefan Camilleri is a 20-something-year-

old yogi who has chosen the practice

as his hobby, devotion and career. He

is passionate about exploring aspects

of yoga both on and off the matt and

has zeal for sharing the practice in

a light-hearted and fun way. A self-

confessed yoga-training junkie, Stefan

has travelled locally and abroad to

study the practice with the masters,

discovering how yoga can provide a

vehicle to realise unparalleled levels of

happiness in day-to-day life. A uniquely

rounded understanding of yoga has

earned Stefan international appeal, and

he now teaches regularly on

trainings and workshops in

Melbourne, the Americas,

Asia and Europe. His humble

approach and contagious

warm spirit, consistently

awesome class playlists,

and hipster beard make

Stefan one of Melbourne’s

most adored teachers.

Facebook.com/stefancamilleriyoga.com

@stefancamilleriyoga

PHOTO: COURTNEY KING

MAN

Om

Heart

beats

Match the energy of your classes and lift the spirits of

your students with perfect playlists. Melbourne-based

yogi hipster Stefan Camilleri gives us his top tips.

As many yoga teachers know,

the quality of music in class has

the potential to make or break a

student’s experience. The choice

of songs helps set a theme and

allows teachers to guide the

unique energy in a room.

There are many ways to use

playlist design to help elevate

your classes to the next level

of inspiration, enjoyment and

wholehearted devotion.

How to make it happen:

• Set the music to the theme of the
  classand your own personality.


• Let the energy of the music flow
  with the energy of the class and build
  your sounds up to a peak and bring them
  back down again for relaxation.


• Avoid music with oodles of lyrics as
  itcan be distracting.


• Create playlists that run overtime so
  the music continues to the end of class
  andwhile students are leaving the room.


• Think stylistically and think fun music
  for fun spaces; use high energy for strong,
  faster classes and slower tempo or more
  ‘zen’ tunes for Yin or Restorative yoga.


• Match the vibe and the volume ... so use
  louder music for strong, dynamic, flowing
  classes. If you’re speaking or explaining
  alignment or the class is more restorative,
  turn the volume down.


• Add the occasional hit to lighten the
  mood if it you think it works. A hip-hop
  tune or an old classic can lift the energy
  of the class and give students a laugh.


• If your playlist isn’t vibing with your
  group, change it and if the class is
  feeling more serious – or light-hearted –
  than your playlist allows, be flexible!


• Let Savasana be an open and expansive
  tracktoencourage relaxation.


• Keep it fresh and don’t use the same
  playlist week in week out. Try to update
  regularly, so if you’re a full-time teacher,
  once a week would be ideal.


• Explore some new artists and diversify
  your song choices. My favourites are:
  Kaya Project
  Bonobo
  Tycho
  Boards of Canada
  Carbon Based Lifeforms
  Uma Mohan
  Jon Hopkins
  Music for Deep Meditation
  Phil Thornton
  Phaeleh
  Helos
  Connect Ohm
  30

july 2016

yogajournal.com.au