I was afraid to include Spanish music in my yoga playlists. Then the bad bunny happened.

I vividly remember watching it Saved by the bell as a little girl and drawn to the character of Zack Morris. However, my grandfather Tati repeatedly mentioned AC Slater and the fact that a Latino cast member on an American TV show was great. After renting Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet on VHS and while gushing over Leonardo DiCaprio, I listened to my grandfather point out John Leguizamo to the cast. When I got the latest Groove Theory tape and played it on repeat, he listened and balanced it out by playing salsa music and giving me a dance lesson in the living room. He did this all the time. And it irritated me.

When I started practicing yoga, all but one of my talented and amazing instructors were white. While this didn’t impact my practice, I noticed it. Not long after I started teaching yoga, a few students came up to me after class and told me that they had chosen my class on the schedule because of my last name. They said seeing a Latino name made them less intimidated to try something new. I also remember doing that twenty years ago.

After I became more comfortable teaching, I came up with the idea of ​​including a Spanish song in my playlist. I thought it might be too much to speak Sanskrit and English with Spanish music in the background. Even though I put it off, the idea always remained at the forefront of my mind.

I wanted to include Spanish-language music in my playlist for several reasons. I loved a then up and coming Puerto Rican artist, Bad Bunny. I thought the song “200 MPH” and the lyrics “Debajo De Sol,” which translates to “Under the Sun,” would be ideal for a warm-up for the Sun Salutation. I also wanted to make sure that people who may not have felt seen or comfortable in yoga spaces feel seen. Finally, I wanted to honor my Tati and myself in this way. Still, I was afraid.

At one point I received a negative review for including a Snoop Dogg song in my class playlist. I was new to the brutality of anonymous reviews and I was rethinking my entire existence in the yoga space. I thought I should reject my personality, play only instrumental music, and maybe even stop teaching yoga.

Yet these Bad Bunny songs constantly lived for free in my head. One day I just decided to do it. I included a Spanish song in my playlist.

I teach at a studio where the owner and students are incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I continued to incorporate Bad Bunny music into my classes. And sure enough, I started attracting my people. Newcomers came back and complimented my playlist. A Latina woman brought her boyfriend, brother, and fiancé to class and later explained to me that it was Bad Bunny on the playlist that attracted her.

I steadily incorporated more Spanish music into my classes and several people thanked me for creating an inclusive environment through music. It all started with that one Bad Bunny song as an Easter egg for my Tati. Actually, it started long before that. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my grandfather had always taught me to be proud of my identity, my culture, my heritage.

Eventually I realized that I had never taken a class with Bad Bunny on the Playlist and had the urge to teach a vinyasa class with a playlist dedicated to his music. When it was announced that he would be the Super Bowl LX halftime performer, I asked the studio owner to come up with a special name for my regular Sunday morning class. Super Bowl Sunday Bad Bunny Flow sold out quickly.

I started that lesson with the story of my Tati and how years later I had been afraid to record even one Spanish song. I reminded my students that when you move in authenticity, your people will find you.

The vibrant energy in that class was palpable. There was a bit of dancing and singing, especially when “Titi Me Pregunto” came on, and there was also smiling and laughing. I led a series of asanas (poses) that allowed for free movement, including during Goddess, Standing Wide-Legged Forward Fold, and Down Dog. And of course I had to include Rabbit Pose because, well, Bunny. The room itself was filled with energetic love and joy, just like Bad Bunny’s music.

Afterwards, a few students sent a DM to thank you for saving space. Honestly, I can’t imagine not holding space. I am so proud of being Latina and making sure students feel seen and empowered to take up space. Just like Tati taught me.

Practice or teach My Bad Bunny Yoga playlist