About a year after I had my son, a friend invited me to practice yoga with him at his gym. It was a hatha-style class and although most of the postures weren’t really memorable, the last posture, savasana, was very memorable. 

The final song was by Def Leppard. The awful, loud, fast rock song that the teacher decided to play during savasana/meditation ruined the entire mood. I was so surprised, it struck my funny bone, and it was all I could do to keep myself from laughing at the teacher’s choice in music. Let’s just say it was one of my worst memories as a yoga student.

But it’s also possible that the other students found their personal bliss. 

The way yoga affects you is going to be different from how it affects the person on the mat next to you. Your postures, breath and concentration are always going to be unique to you. Whether you are at a wedding, nightclub or in a yoga class, the rhythm of a song affects you differently from others.

When music is incorporated into the asana practice of yoga, there is an art to how it is used. In Sanskrit, there is a word, "tala," or rhythm. If the teacher isn’t in tune with the tala and energy of the music, then the music can be a hindrance to the practice. In fact, some styles of yoga avoid music to keep it a bit more traditional, like Ashtanga or Bikram yoga. 

In contrast, other styles like Prana Flow encourage live music and often weave it into the background and even foreground of the class with finesse.

Take last year’s Rasa Lila Festival. The sunset “Fire Class” was led by Prana Flow yoga instructor Ashley Halley, and she was joined by musicians Baye Kouyate and Heather DeRigo. As Halley led the festivalgoers into postures to connect themselves to their internal rhythm, Kouyate and DeRigo helped create the soothing external sounds, vibration, pulsations and rhythms. This was one of the most enjoyable classes I have ever witnessed because of the seamless way the teacher used the creative process of yoga and presence of music to make art.

Our class ended with a freestyle dance under the stars. To find the dancer in us can be very personal. But when it works, the connection heals the heart and allows the mind and body to become less burdened with tension, anxiety and negative patterns.  

Perhaps if we practiced in a cave, there would be little noise, but it is hard to find true quiet in our modern world. Our cities are noisy. Our minds are noisy. With every turn in your practice, there will be something that wants to bring you out of it. When you feel that pull, bring yourself back to the sounds of the practice, your teacher's voice, the sound of your breath, the rhythm of your heart. Let everything else fade.

In the coming weeks, there are a number of events incorporating the art of music and the art of yoga. If you haven’t ever been a part of yoga that includes live music, here are some chances to experience it:

Jan. 14: At the Lotus Room in Tampa, my husband, Eric Wheeler, is joining up with drummer-musician Baye Kouyate from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Teaching Mandala Namaskara, Wheeler will weave practitioner around mat as Kouyate helps create the musical journey. It costs $20.

Jan. 14: At the Lotus Pond in Tampa, check out Kirtan with Wah! at 8 p.m. for an “evening of upbeat, rhythmic music and chanting.” The cost is $25; register in advance. Space is limited, and this event usually sells out.

Jan. 21: At White Orchid Tampa, ELUV brings sound healing with a Crystal Bowl Meditation from 6-7:30 p.m. It costs $30.

Jan. 20-21: If you're up for a day trip, Steve Ross, “Master Yogi, Kirtan Daddy and Author of “Happy Yoga,” will be bringing live music and kirtan to Guruv Yoga, 142 W. Lakeview Ave. in Lake Mary. You can sign up for individual classes or pay $180 for all five classes.

Jan. 22: Anusara teachers Rita Knorr and Cheryl Chaffee (Yogis for Haiti) are teaching “Yoga for Haiti." Partners in Health and Anusara Yoga join efforts to help the people of Haiti with this charity event at 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. The minimum donation is $20.