Akash Kumar is a salon owner turned software founder. After years of running a hair and beauty business in the UK — and getting caught out by PPL/PRS licensing letters — he built Sonosfera to solve the problem he lived through firsthand.
Yoga Studio & Wellness Music: Licensing Without the Hassle
Direct answer: Playing commercial music in yoga or Pilates classes triggers PPL PRS's "Exercise Tariff," calculated per class — this can cost £400+/year for a small studio. Switching to royalty-free music via Sonosfera (£19.99/month) removes that tariff entirely and saves most studios over £200/year.
Fast facts
PPL PRS Exercise Tariff is calculated per class or per instructor, not a flat annual fee (PPL PRS)
Sonosfera costs £19.99/month and removes the Exercise Tariff obligation (/pricing)
Freelance teachers renting hall space are personally responsible for their class music licence — the venue's licence doesn't cover you
Online classes (Zoom, YouTube Live) require a separate broadcasting licence under standard PPL PRS terms
Class Type
Recommended Genre
Sonosfera Station
Goal
Vinyasa / Power Yoga
Ambient house, world beats
Yoga Flow
Synchronise movement with breath
Yin / Restorative
Drone, deep texture
Deep Meditation
Allow the mind to drift
Pilates
Minimal electronic
Pilates Pulse
Focus and precision
Meditation
Binaural beats
Deep Meditation
Reduce cortisol
You create a sanctuary. You light the incense. You guide your students into Shavasana.
And then you get a bill for £400 from PPL PRS.
Music licensing for exercise and wellness studios is notoriously complex—and expensive.
While a shop pays a flat fee, fitness industries (including Yoga and Pilates) are often charged based on the number of classes or instructors. This "Exercise Tariff" can cripple a small independent studio.
Here is how to set the mood without breaking the bank. (For the full picture on business music legality, see Can I Play Spotify in My Salon?)
The "Exercise Tariff" Trap
If you play commercial music (e.g., a "Chill Pop" playlist on Spotify) during a class, PPL PRS considers this a "performance." You are using the music to drive the exercise.
The PPL tariff for "Exercise to Music" is calculated per class.
The PRS tariff is often calculated per session or per member.
It adds up fast. (See a .) And if you're caught playing , you face additional issues.
The wellness industry was one of the first to adopt Royalty-Free Music because the savings are so massive.
By using music that is not affiliated with PPL or PRS, you bypass the "Exercise Tariff" entirely.
However, "Royalty-Free" used to mean cheesy synthesizer music that sounded like a 90s educational video. Not exactly the "premium wellness" vibe you want.
Modern Wellness Music
Today, Royalty-Free music for yoga is indistinguishable from the artists you love on Spotify.
Sonosfera works with composers who specialise in:
Binaural Beats: Frequencies designed to aid meditation.
Drone / Ambient: Long, evolving textures perfect for Yin Yoga.
Eastern Fusion: Sitar and flute textures for Vinyasa flow.
Genres by Class Type
1. Vinyasa / Power Yoga
Vibe: Rhythmic, flowing, energetic.
Sonosfera Station: "Yoga Flow" (Mid-tempo ambient house and world beats).
Goal: Keep the movement synchronized with the breath.
2. Yin / Restorative
Vibe: Deep, slow, grounding.
Sonosfera Station: "Deep Meditation" (Drone and texture).
Goal: Allow the mind to drift. No distinct rhythm.
If you are a freelance instructor renting space in a community centre or gym, YOU are usually responsible for the music licence for your class, not the venue.
This surprises many teachers. The venue might have a licence for background music in the corridor, but your class is a separate "event." And the fines can reach thousands.
Using a Sonosfera subscription on your phone (£19.99/mo) covers you wherever you teach. You carry your licence in your pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play mantras or chanting music?
A: If the recording is traditional/public domain, yes. If it is a modern recording by a famous artist (e.g., Krishna Das), it might be subject to PPL PRS fees. Check the specific recording.
Q: Do I need a licence for online classes (Zoom)?
A: Yes! This is even more complex. Broadcasting commercial music over Zoom requires a specific "Online Music Licence." Sonosfera covers you for online classes too, as we own the streaming rights.
General