Movement, jazz, and community under the open sky

15/7/2025 | Forfatter: Karen Segal | Fotograf: Anya Winqvist
Jazzyoga i Musikhusparken – bevægelse, jazz og fællesskab under åben himmel, Musikhuset Aarhus 15/07/2025

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In Aarhus, curious crowds gather for ‘jazzyoga’ — a surprising blend of live jazz and yoga under the summer sky. Movement, music, and a shared spirit turn an ordinary day into a moment of pure connection

Artiklen herunder er på engelsk, da den er skrevet af Karen Segal, der kommer fra USA.

What is “jazzyoga?” Have you ever heard of it? Can you even imagine it? How are you supposed to relax and hold strange physical positions while jazz music is playing? Would there be live musicians, or prerecorded music? No one I spoke with before the event, including the organizers, other participants, and myself had heard of “jazzyoga” or had any idea what to expect. But it was a beautiful day and people were curious. More and more participants steadily showed up until there were probably a hundred people moving and breathing together in “jazzyoga.”

The vision for this event came from Ana Luiza Ulsig from Aarhus Musikhueet as a way to initiate their newly renovated lawn. She created a small stage with carpet and decorations and hired yoga instructor Pernille Louise Langer from Yo Yoga Studios in Aarhus. She hired a trumpet player who called in a substitute, vibraphonist Viktoria Søndergaard, because he was rehearsing with the big band for this evening’s performance. As it turned out - completely by coincidence - Viktoria has played jazzyoga previously for her mother who also just happens to be a yoga instructor on Fyn.

From the moment it started, the connection between jazz and yoga became perfectly clear. As Pernille instructed us to breathe in and out slowly, Viktoria rang some small cymbals, then played long tones on her vibraphone using a violin bow. While Pernille told us to stretch and make space in our bodies, Viktoria played dreamy ascending and descending waves. Yoga is about being fully present in the moment with our breath in our bodies, and jazz music is about being fully present in the moment with space and sound. The combination felt totally natural. Like skilled jazz musicians, Pernille and Viktoria collaborated and complimented each other beautifully - even without any rehearsal.

In the words of sisters Helle and Gitte from Slagelse, who just happened to be spending a few days in Aarhus on their way to Skagen, this event was “hel vildt godt!,” and they seemed to be speaking for everyone. This was a really good vibes event, an experiment that exceeded all expectations. Pernille said it had been really moving for her to look out while she was teaching and see everyone participating and I felt the same way when I peeked around a few times while I was participating.

Don’t worry if you missed it, Jazzyoga i Musikhusparken will continue for the rest of the week Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at kl.10. It will be interesting to experience it these days accompanied by a trumpet player. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors. There are some extra mats available but come early if you need one because they will run out.  I know I will be back!