Let’s Talk About Playlists in Yoga Classes

Have you ever been in a yoga class where a song comes on and it feels like it was made for that exact moment? Or maybe, as the class unfolds, you notice how the music subtly matches the sequencing and realize how much it enhances the experience.

Perhaps the music helped you drop out of your busy mind and into the flow of a Vinyasa class or guided you toward a deeper sense of rest in a Restorative or Yin practice. Maybe it even created a feeling of connection, both with yourself and with the energy of the studio and the people around you.

At Sellwood Yoga, we know music has the power to elevate a yoga practice… but we also know it can be distracting if not used thoughtfully. That’s why not all of our teachers use music. Or why you won’t hear music in all of our classes. Sometimes we prefer the simplicity of silence. Other times we play soft, ambient sounds in the background. And there are times when we carefully curate our playlists to complement our classes and teaching styles.

Not every class needs a playlist, and not every student enjoys practicing with music. Silence can create space to fully tune into your breath and the natural sounds around you. It invites a different kind of focus and presence that many students find deeply grounding.

When Music Supports the Practice

For teachers who do use music, it’s always a joy when students ask about a playlist or a specific track. Don’t be shy—if something catches your ear, ask your teacher. Many of  Sellwood Yoga’s instructors make their Spotify playlists public or are happy to share a screenshot of what we played in class. Jump to the bottom of this post for links to playlists from a few of our instructors including Lana, Kari and Savonn.

Have a favorite song or artist you think would be great in a yoga playlist? Send us a DM on Instagram @sellwoodyoga—we’d love to hear your recommendations.

Why We Use Music in Vinyasa Flow and Restorative Yoga

When chosen intentionally, it can:
Set the mood – From the moment you walk into the studio, music creates an invitation to settle in.
Support your breath and movement – A steady rhythm can help you stay in the flow of a Vinyasa class or sink more deeply into a Restorative pose.
Awaken emotions – The right song at the right time can stir feelings of joy, release, or even nostalgia—helping you connect more deeply to your practice and to the energy in the room.
Encourage relaxation – During slower practices like Yin or Restorative, soft, ambient music soothes the nervous system and supports deep rest.

Playlist Insights From a few of Our Teachers

🎧 Lana Vilche’s Restorative Playlist
Lana, who teaches Restorative Yoga on Wednesday nights at 7:30 PM and leads specialty classes like Restorative Yoga with Sound Bath (August 10th) and Restorative Yoga with Live Cello (July 27th), shares:

“I love using soothing sounds to help students drop deeper into their meditative, restful poses—as a way to nourish their nervous system.”
👉 Check out Lana’s Sellwood Yoga Restorative Playlist

🎧 Kari Kemper’s Vinyasa Flow Playlist
Kari, who teaches Vinyasa Flow on Wednesdays at 6 PM and Yoga for a Healthy Spine on Mondays at 8:30 AM along with many workshops throughout the year including a Summer Yin Extended practice on August 24th, says:

“As a lover of most genres of music, it’s a joy curating playlists for my classes. Over the years, my playlists have evolved—moving from lyric-heavy songs to mostly instrumentals with the occasional lyric-forward track. I match the music to the style of class (Vinyasa, Yoga for a Healthy Spine, Yin), the time of day, and often weave in subtle themes.
One of my favorite memories was during a livestream class in lockdown. I played an instrumental version of ‘Where Is My Mind’ by The Pixies (Maxence Cyrin’s piano cover). A high school friend joined from the UK and emailed me later, saying it brought back memories of our youth—and that only I would sneak The Pixies into a yoga class!”

👉 Check out Kari’s Vinyasa Flow Playlist

🎧 Savonn’s Curated Playlists
Savonn tries to match her playlists to the weekly classes she teaches—including Vinyasa Flow, Functional Strength & Yoga, and her popular Saturday 11 AM class. She also puts extra care into curating music for Solstice and Equinox celebrations and for the retreats she leads around the world.

“One of my most-requested playlists from December 2023 includes some of my favorite yoga musicians: Hang Massive (their hang drum tracks are perfect for the start of class), Hermanos Gutiérrez, Arc De Soleil, and Richard Houghton.
Most of the time, I keep playlists free of lyrics to minimize distraction—but on special occasions or when I feel like mixing things up, I’ll add in festive tracks with vocals. Just a couple of weeks ago on the 4th of July, my playlist had a few of those catchy tunes, and students were singing along and laughing as they flowed!
Music helps me pace the class. Certain songs remind me where we are in the sequence and how much time is left—when to ramp up or slow things down.
Over my 25+ years of teaching, my relationship with music in class has evolved. There were times I played no music and times I leaned into overly ‘yoga-ish’ tracks. Now I aim for sounds that align with my teaching style and the energy of the room. I always make sure there’s space for silence at the end.”

👉 Find Savonn on Spotify and sample her public playlists—including the December 2023 Vinyasa playlist, her 4th of July set, plus selections from past retreats and seasonal celebrations.