9 Eerie and Essential Halloween Playlists for Your Yoga Practice

This article originally appeared on Yoga Journal

Whether you're a hardcore All Hallows Eve enthusiast or not, there's no denying that a certain mystical aura descends everywhere in October. And there's nothing that can accentuate that more quickly than music, which instantly casts a spell and sets the mood with an eerie charm that only a Halloween playlist can provide.

The following collections of haunting tracks canvas an array of musical tastes, from bone-chilling instrumentals to indie-rock vibes. Whether you’re shaking up your usual yoga vibe, throwing a costume party, or just want to infuse some timeless magic into your All Hallows Eve, these Halloween playlists will send shivers down your spine.

9 Essential Halloween Playlists for Your Yoga Practice

1. Samhain | By Sierra Vandervort

Named for the traditional pagan celebration that coincides with Halloween, this collection draws on brooding indie and electronic tracks to create an unearthly atmosphere. Witness classics such as Lauren O’Connell’s haunting rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” and contemporary hits such as CHVRCHES’ “How Not To Drown” featuring Robert Smith of The Cure. The playlist draws on a mix of genres but encapsulates one mood: dark and ethereal with a twinge of sin. (Admittedly, this is a playlist of my own making. But hey, I wouldn't have made it if I didn't think it was good, right?)

2. Halloween Party | By Spotify

This nostalgic and flat-out fun playlist is a musical journey down memory lane that includes tried-and-true tracks like Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” and the timeless “Monster Mash. But what makes this playlist truly stand out is its balance of spooky camp with contemporary hits. Just when the Halloween-themed songs start feeling too sugary and reminiscent of what your mom probably listened to as a kid, it introduces crowd-pleasing, pop-chart toppers that inject an energetic vibe.

3. Halloween Vintage 50s 60s | By Fernando Crow

Step into a time machine of spooktacular nostalgia with this spine-tingling mixtape that transports you back to the ’50s and ’60s. You’ll find yourself enchanted by oldies such as “I Put A Spell On You” by the legendary Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and the quirky “Skully Gully” by Bobby Pickett. Whether you're throwing a retro-themed costume party or simply wanting to infuse some throwback magic into your yoga class, this Halloween playlist delivers on the vintage vibes.

4. Classical Halloween | By Spotify

Looking for some spine-chilling instrumentals to soundtrack your Halloween yoga class? This selection is a trove of haunting compositions to conjure a cinematic-themed Halloween. You’ll find scores from timeless films, including Harry Potter, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Addams Family.

5. Halloween LoFi Beats | By awesomeplaylists

On the hunt for something a little more low-key but still haunting? These eerie instrumentals exude a mellow, jazzy vibe that’s better suited to a slow flow or even a study session than a full-blown haunted house party. The ideal backdrop for when you want to feel the Halloween spirit without getting caught up in a cacophony of ghouls and ghosts.

6. Halloween Everyday | By Adam Bickford

This monstrous playlist, boasting an impressive 55-hour runtime, is a mammoth collection of punk, metal, and goth tunes that will keep your ears bewitched. Featuring spine-tingling tracks from artists including Rob Zombie, Dead Kennedys, and Sharon Needles, the playlist’s diverse offerings are united by one overarching theme--your inner darkness. These sinister-sounding tracks are a must-have for those who find solace in the shadows and like to live in a perpetual state of Halloween.

7. Halloween Flow | By Anaiz Ochoa

This magical playlist comes straight from the hot yoga class one of the YJ editors attends religiously each week. “Music is an important tool in my vinyasa class,” says the lovely and talented teacher, Anaiz Ochoa, explaining that she relies on music to help everyone ease into things, lift their energy, and then ease back down. “Students seem to really enjoy this spooky playlist,” she says. “It keeps the mood light and fun.” Find your flow to the beat of “Disturbia” by Rihanna and the haunting vibes of “bury a friend” by Billie Eilish. Then, as your practice softens into Savasana, let yourself be serenaded by “Come Little Children,” the enchanting siren song Sarah Jessica Parker croons at the end of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus.

8. Indie Halloween | By Borrowedmind

If your costume style leans more toward flannel and combat boots than cloaks and daggers, this playlist is your vibe. It effortlessly marries indie rock with the essence of Halloween by keeping the spooky only the lyrics rather than the music itself. With appearances by Cage the Elephant, The Cranberries, and Father John Misty, it ensures a unique and dialed-down experience of creepy.

9. Dark Wave/New Wave Halloween | By Tiki After Dark

This collection of post-punk and '80s-inspired tracks invokes the mood of a gothic nightclub soiree. With its perfect fusion of synth-pop and new wave, the Halloween playlist boasts haunting tracks from iconic artists including Depeche Mode, The Smiths, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. With these mesmerizing tunes, you can ensure your Halloween yoga practice is equal parts eerie and electrifying.

RELATED: 25 Savasana Songs You Need in Your Yoga Playlist

About Our Contributor
Sierra Vandervort is a writer and modern witchy woman living in Oregon. She's been practicing yoga for nearly a decade and completed her teacher training in 2018. She writes and teaches about connection--connection to the body, to nature, and to the powerful energies of the universe. In 2017, she founded her media brand, The Local Mystic, an educational hub devoted to mindful, mystical living for women. Sierra loves to guide people to their witchy side by helping them deepen their spiritual studies and ritualize their lives. Through The Local Mystic, she's written books, plus hosted women's circles and wellness retreats worldwide. For free yoga and witchy wisdom, find Sierra on Instagram @thelocalmystic and on YouTube. And check out her book, Your Year of Magic.

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