movement & music | tyla founder of playlist pilates
Updated: Oct 9
music can shape the feeling of a pilates class
—from the first grounding breath to the final moment of stillness. For Tyla, the creator of Playlist Pilates, a thoughtful playlist is part of the teaching experience: it supports movement, expresses personality, and creates connection.
“I even look at a playlist as my co-teacher,” she shares.
Here are three of her favorite ways to bring music and movement together.
1. build your playlist around the journey of class
Tyla starts with a simple approach: match the length of the playlist to the length of the class. A 45-minute class gets a 45-minute playlist, helping her stay aware of timing and guide the session toward a natural finish.
She also chooses a calm, meditative first and last song. Whether it’s an instrumental track, a gentle ballad, or something inspired by spa music, these songs create space to settle in and close with intention.
The opening invites students to connect with their breath, notice their alignment, and bring their attention into their bodies. The closing offers a moment to return to that awareness.
2. let the music support your cues
Choose music you love, but listen for how it works alongside your voice.
“The music should support your teaching—it shouldn’t compete with it,” Tyla explains.
A favorite song may feel wonderful through headphones yet overwhelm the instructions students need to hear. Heavy beats or intense vocals can make it harder to follow cues and stay connected to the movement.
Let the mood of class guide your choices. A restorative session might call for softer instrumentals, lo-fi, or classical music. A more athletic class might welcome brighter pop or dance tracks. Throughout, the playlist should leave room for clear instruction.
3. share your personality—and build connection
Your playlist is an opportunity to share a little of yourself with your students. For Tyla, who calls music her love language, that connection often continues after class.
A student asking about the song from an abdominal series can spark a conversation, a shared playlist, or a new musical discovery. Mentioning a favorite artist during class or inviting students to share theirs creates another way to get to know one another.
Music becomes part of the community you’re building: something students can enjoy in the studio and take with them into their day.
With a thoughtful playlist, each class has its own rhythm, mood, and sense of connection.
As Tyla’s approach reminds us, the songs we choose can help bring the whole movement experience together.studio over the next decade.
The first call to the broker for this space ended up life changing, because she knew me- from years ago when I had a small storefront juice/coffee bar in New Haven. Together we pitched a corporate property investment company the business plan and strategy behind House of Pilates. It just so happened they were searching for a movement studio to exist in their storefront which has been waiting for four years to become something.
thank you Tyla for inspiring my pilates journey and love for reformer pilates through your purpose to connect.
xx, jules.
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