logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
19m 39s

Why You Shouldn’t Use Music for Your Pil...

Hannah Teutscher
About this episode

There is so much polarisation around whether or not music belongs in Pilates classes. This episode forms part two of our three-part series, which explores different viewpoints on the topic and focuses on why you might want to consider turning the music off in your Pilates class. Although these choices are deeply personal, today’s conversation explores how music can impact different people depending on their contexts as they step into your class. From timing and tastes to the flip side of music’s ability to trigger emotions, we cover multiple perspectives and experiences of music in Pilates class. Join us as we consider how music influences teaching and learning and the key role of silence in supporting the process. Thanks for listening! 


Key Points From This Episode:

  • One reason you shouldn’t use music in your Pilates class: our lives are too busy.
  • The unique opportunity a Pilates class provides for silence and introspection. 
  • Why music often doesn’t fit the timing of the class.
  • Understanding that not everyone has the same musical tastes.
  • The flip side of music’s ability to trigger emotions.
  • How rhythm affects movement.
  • Why different music appeals to different people and why this can be a challenge.
  • Hannah’s experience at a hip-hop dance class in Japan.
  • The possibility of lyrics interrupting spoken cues. 
  • How Hannah is influenced by music as a former dancer.
  • Music and its impact on different people depending on their careers.
  • Music’s sometimes unhelpful ability to allow a person to override certain cues from their body.
  • The role of moments of silence in supporting people to figure it out.
  • What to expect from part three: advice for how to integrate music into your classes.


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

‘Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music’: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/psychology-workout-music/

‘Music and the Brain: The Neuroscience of Music’: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618809/

Your Brain on Music: https://www.changecounselingllc.com/blog/your-brain-on-music

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: hannah@pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

Up next
Jul 2
What’s the difference between delivering a class and truly transforming someone’s experience through movement?
In this episode of The Pilates Exchange, Hannah explores the subtle (but powerful) shift from class leader to coach—and why it matters more than ever in today’s wellness world.You’ll learn how to deepen your connection with clients, foster long-term growth, and create a movement ... Show More
13m 37s
Jun 18
Permission to Be Enough: The Anti-Perfectionist Path to Great Teaching
Perfectionism is sneaky. It whispers that we’re not ready, not enough, not doing it right. But what if the pressure to be perfect is actually holding you back from being a truly powerful teacher?In this episode, Hannah explores how perfectionism shows up in teaching—and how to re ... Show More
16m 26s
Jun 4
The Burnout Spiral: How to Spot It and What to Do About It
Burnout doesn’t always show up in a blaze—it often sneaks in quietly, disguised as “just a busy week.” In this episode of The Pilates Exchange, Hannah opens up about how burnout affects movement professionals and studio owners, how to spot the early warning signs, and what to do ... Show More
30m 12s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
Mat vs. Reformer Pilates
Some Pilates classes use different pieces of Pilates equipment and two common formats are mat and reformer Pilates. Spoiler: they're both Pilates, but what does each type of class entail, and which one is a better fit for you? Let's find out! I want to hear from you! Sh ... Show More
19m 14s
Dec 2023
Special Guest - Stephanie Neal
Stephanie Neal of Pilates HQ joins me on the podcast today. She shares her Pilates journey, her experience learning and integrating Pilates as a physical therapist, finding balance between running a studio and making time for herself, and some incredibly relevant advice for new t ... Show More
53m 50s
Jun 2024
Making music
Does samba lift your mood? How about karaoke or playing a guitar? Does music feed your soul? Scaachi and Sophia hear how music can make you feel alive and affect sleep quality, mental alertness, and memory. They find out about free lessons in Finland and the power of music in Bra ... Show More
22m 22s
May 2024
Why is exercise good for your mental health?
As part of the BBC’s mental well-being season, All in the Mind takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog ... Show More
28m 4s
Jun 2024
Why is exercise good for your mental health?
This week, Health Check takes a deep dive into the evidence on the relationship between exercise and mental health. Not just whether getting moving can make a difference, but why. Claudia Hammond laces up her running shoes and goes for a jog at the seaside with a group of people ... Show More
26m 31s
Jan 2021
Ep. #684: Mike Israetel on How to Find the “Best” Weightlifting Exercises for Your Body
Have you ever done an exercise and just not “felt” it? Sure, you performed the lift, but your target muscles don’t feel like they worked very hard. Or maybe you felt it in the “wrong” areas? Like your forearms feeling zapped after barbell curls while your biceps still feel fresh. ... Show More
56m 17s
Apr 2023
#382 Lugdivine Meytre : Énergie et équilibre au top avec le Pilates !
Anne Ghesquière reçoit dans Métamorphose Lugdivine Meytre alias LudiPilates, professeure de Pilates et ancienne membre de l'équipe de France de natation synchronisée. La méthode Pilates est une gymnastique douce qui allie une respiration profonde avec des exercices physiques. Com ... Show More
49m 30s
Dec 2021
Collaboration in Pilates
Pilates is not a one way street. There is a very important collaboration that happens between students and teachers that makes meeting expectations and achieving goals a team effort. Tune in to hear about how collaboration happens in both group and private sessions. I want to hea ... Show More
20m 40s
Sep 2020
Bri Tyree on Pilates + balance in exercise
Haven't heard of the Wunda chair? Me either! Let Bri fill your mind with all things Pilates and how she went from teaching it regularly to international (male) sporting teams to now running her own studio called Pilates 20, in Sydney's Inner West. We dive into how pilates is esse ... Show More
40m 47s
May 2012
How You Can Use Sound And Music To Change Your Brain Waves With Laser Accuracy And Achieve Huge Focus And Performance Gains.
Most of us know that workout songs and music can help you to exercise harder. But if you understand how sound and music actually change your brain waves, you can use this knowledge to alter your mental and physical performance states with laser accuracy. It sounds geeky, but I’m ... Show More
46m 51s