What Science Says About Music in Yoga: Your Cells Are Listening

By Amanda Lawford MA, ERYT-500

As yoga teachers, we are always trying to create a calm, nourishing space for our students. And one big question we often face is: Should I use music during my classes?

Some teachers love using soft soundtracks to support the flow of practice. Others prefer silence, letting the breath and body speak for themselves. But here’s something that might surprise you...

A recent study from Kyoto University shows that sound doesn’t just influence our mood, it can actually affect our cells at a physical level.

The study found that when cells are exposed to sound, they change shape and reorganize their internal structure. This means that sound isn’t limited to auditory processing, it’s a full-body experience that reaches deep into our cellular biology.

This change happens inside the cytoskeleton, the internal scaffolding that gives cells their shape. In a sense, music and sound may be helping the body adjust, realign, and support itself from the inside out.

Here’s where it gets especially interesting for yoga teachers:

Researchers developed a system that exposed living cells directly to sound waves using a vibration transducer and a culture dish. When they introduced sound at various frequencies, the cells not only responded, but something remarkable happened.

They found that bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) were highly responsive to sound. These cells shifted and moved significantly when exposed to specific frequencies. This opens up exciting possibilities for supporting bone health, aging, and injury recovery through sound-informed practice.

Even more surprisingly, the sound waves actually prevented pre-fat cells (adipocytes) from maturing into full fat cells. In other words, sound had the potential to influence fat cell development, suggesting a possible role in fat cell regulation and non-invasive approaches to body composition or obesity treatment.

For yoga teachers, this research offers a fresh perspective: sound isn’t just a tool for creating mood, it may be quietly influencing cellular processes that support long-term health and wellness. So yes, your cells are “listening” when music plays in your class.

How Long Do Cells Respond to Sound?

The duration that music or sound affects cell shape depends on several factors, including the type of cell, frequency and amplitude of the sound, and exposure time.

• Bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) responded within minutes of sound exposure, changing their shape and alignment.

• The changes were observable during the period of sound stimulation (lasting a few minutes to an hour, depending on the experiment).

• In some cases, longer-term sound exposure (over hours or days) influenced gene expression and differentiation, especially in fat precursor cells (preadipocytes), suggesting lasting effects beyond the initial shape change.

So how long does it last?

• Immediate effects on cell shape can occur within minutes.

• Sustained exposure (over several hours) can lead to longer-lasting functional changes, including shifts in gene activity and cell development.

This suggests that both short bursts of sound (like music in a yoga class) and longer-term sound therapy can influence the body on a cellular level. but the mechanism and impact differ based on duration and frequency.

Not All Sound Is Equal: Let’s Talk Frequencies

The study also highlighted that different sound frequencies (measured in Hertz, or Hz) affect the body in different ways:

·        440 Hz is the standard tuning pitch for most Western instruments. It’s found in nearly all music genres—classical, pop, rock, jazz and provides a steady, balanced foundation.

·        14,000 Hz (14 kHz) is much higher and adds clarity, brightness, and sharpness to music.

Together, these frequencies help create the dynamic soundscape of a well-produced track.

But in a yoga class, balance really matters. Volume, tempo shifts, and lyrical complexity can confuse the nervous system. Music can support relaxation and fluid movement, but it should never overpower the breath.

So while these frequencies are powerful, you probably don’t want to be blasting Bohemian Rhapsody during Savasana!  

Music or Silence? How Yoga Masters Harmonize Practice with Sound

Like many things in yoga, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and even among world-renowned teachers, views on music differ.

Some teachers actively use music to enhance the emotional and rhythmic quality of practice:

·        Shiva Rea uses rhythmic, tribal, and ambient music to support meditation-in-motion and natural flow:“We use music to drop into the flow. Just like a mantra, rhythm helps entrain your breath and body.”

Others believe that silence is the most powerful sound:

·        B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and T.K.V. Desikachar emphasized breath, alignment, and turning inward. They felt music could distract from the true aim of yoga: deep internal awareness.

Using Music Mindfully in Your Classes

Here are ways to use sound intentionally:

·        Use low, slow tones during grounding or restorative poses.

·        Add gentle rhythms to support flow and coordination in vinyasa.

·        Explore ambient soundscapes or soft mantras in meditation or Yoga Nidra.

Tune In, Don’t Tune Out

There’s no definitive rule, but science now shows that sound is more than just background noise. It reaches into the bones, fascia, and even fat, creating subtle, meaningful shifts in the body. When used with care, music can become a powerful tool for healing.

So yes, your playlist matters. Let the breath lead, let the sound support, and maybe... save the Queen classics for the drive home!

References:

Kyoto University, 2025. Your cells can hear. [online] Kyoto University. Available at: https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/research-news/2025-04-17

Kumeta, M., Otani, M., Toyoda, M. and Yoshimura, S.H., 2025. Acoustic modulation of mechanosensitive genes and adipocyte differentiation. Communications Biology, 8, p.595. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07969-1