Music Licensing for Yoga Classes: Is It Required?

Music can be a great backdrop for yoga or fitness, but did you know that using music as you lead your class could be illegal? If you are using music without permission and without appropriate licensing, it could be considered copyright infringement, and you could face hefty fines. Here’s what you need to know about legally using music in your yoga class. 

Can I Play Any Music in My Yoga Class?

Playing music for a class of yoga students constitutes a public performance. Unless it is in the public domain, or you created the music yourself, you cannot play it in your yoga class without permission because it is copyrighted. You must follow U.S. copyright laws to use this kind of material. Laws vary by country, so if you teach outside the U.S., check with your country’s relevant laws.

What Is Music Licensing? 

Music licensing is the officially permitted use of music for a public performance. The copyright holder grants the right to use their music through a music license. Typically, the user pays a fee for that license, which may have a time limit or may be indefinite. 

Some artists or other copyright holders offer royalty-free music. This music may be free to use, but if it is copyrighted, you still need permission to use it. 

Once you have your music license, use this guide to craft the perfect playlists for your classes. 

Where Do You Purchase a Music License? 

You can purchase a music license from Performing Rights Organizations (PROs). PROs represent songwriters, artists, publishers, and others involved in making music. The three major PROs are: 

• American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). ASCAP is a large organization representing more than 700,000 copyright holders. Its catalog includes millions of songs. 

• Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI). BMI represents more than one million copyright holders and has more than 15 million copyrighted works in its catalog. 

• Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC). Despite the name, SESAC is one of the major three PROs that operates in the U.S. It has a catalog of more than 1.5 million songs and represents more than 15,000 copyright holders. 

Each PRO has a unique catalog of music. A license from one PRO only gives you permission to play music from their catalog, and artists can change their PRO at any time. To be able to play any music you want, without limitations, you need a license from each PRO.

Some other, smaller licensing organizations include the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and Global Music Rights (GMR). 

Do I Need a Music License if I Teach in a Studio? 

As a freelance instructor working out of your home, online, in a park, or in another public place, you definitely are responsible for following copyright laws for any music you use. But what if you work in a studio or gym? Aren’t they responsible for the music? 

If you only teach in a studio or gym, and they have a license for the music you use in class, you are covered. However, not all studios follow the rules. And, if you take your classes anywhere outside the studio, you may not be covered by the license. 

Are you an RYT yet? If you’re serious about your career, you should be. Here’s how to get registered with the Yoga Alliance. 

How Expensive Is it to License Music? 

Prices for licensing vary depending on the organization, the type of license, and the duration. Of course, it costs more if you want a license through each of the PROs compared to choosing one. One PRO license gets you access to a lot of music, but be sure you choose the right one for your must-have songs. 

If you are a member of the Yoga Alliance, you may be eligible for a special deal on licensing with ASCAP. YA members who teach 10 or fewer classes outside of a studio or gym per week can get a discount on a special license for a list of music designed for fitness and yoga classes. 

Can My Paid Streaming Subscriptions Serve as Music Licensing for Yoga Classes? 

Once you start looking into licensing fees, you might realize that it’s too costly for your small yoga business. What about the streaming service you pay a subscription fee for? Can you play that in your classes? 

Most streaming subscriptions are licensed only for individual, personal use, not for public performances, such as in a class with paying students. However, some services offer additional playlists or subscriptions that include licensing for commercial use. Check with different streaming services to see if they have plans you can afford. 

Another option is to find a smaller streaming service or record label with playlists designed specifically for yoga studios and classes. These services include the licensing fees. Because the music is more limited than what is available through the PROs, streaming subscriptions are usually more affordable. 

Are There Options for Free Music? 

For free music options, you can look at the public domain. This is music that is no longer copyrighted because it is 100 years old or older. While the options are limited in this group, a lot of classical music is in the public domain and can be great for yoga. 

Another option is to use royalty-free music. This music is copyrighted, but the copyright holders do not charge a licensing fee. It’s important to understand that while it is free to use, you still need permission to play any copyrighted music. A quick search online will turn up numerous sites that offer access to royalty-free music. 

Of course, you have one other option to avoid paying licensing fees and to save money: don’t play music during your yoga classes. Music is not a necessity for yoga. Consider doing music-free classes. If you host classes outside, let the background sounds of wind, water, and nature be your musical background. 

What Happens if I Use Music in My Class Without Licensing? 

Using music in a class, as a public performance, without permission constitutes breaking copyright law. True, you might never get caught, but it’s always a risk. It’s also unethical. The owners of copyrighted music are entitled to a percentage of the licensing fee. By not paying it, you’re cheating artists and creators. 

Aside from the ethical considerations, you face legal actions and fines for playing copyrighted music. Fines for playing a copyrighted song without permission can be hundreds to thousands of dollars. Fines are per song, so it’s possible to face huge fines. 

If you want to use music in your class, you can. Just make sure you do it the right way. Support musicians, follow the law, and enjoy great music without the risk of fines and legal difficulties.

Take Your Yoga Practice to the Next Level

The ISSA’s Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hour yoga teacher training program is a must for anyone interested in teaching yoga classes. This course is approved by the world’s premier yoga professional organization and provides everything you need to get started. 

References

1. Office, U. C. (n.d.). Copyright Law of the United States | U.S. Copyright Office. https://copyright.gov/title17/