Playlist Yoga: L.A.'s Newest Workout Craze Involves A D.J.

La’s newest fitness obsession has barely begun and we’ve got the inside scoop. Everyone will be talking about Playlist Yoga this year and we sent Katie Horwitch of WANT to check it out and bring back the best fitness playlist hits so we can judge their skills for ourselves. Read on for all the details and co-founder Jordan Cohen’s ultimate workout playlist! Here’s Katie…

I’m picky about my yoga… and not for the reasons you’d think. Sure, I love a rockin’ playlist, and a challenging-yet-soul-opening flow is a must. But I also want to feel like I belong – however I show up. I’ve been doing yoga for years, but sometimes I need more nurturing than others. Sometimes I’m down for something new and edgy, but sometimes I need to take child’s pose every few minutes. I want to feel safe being as I am, where I am, who I am. I want to be able to lose myself in the music – and the moment, I want to own it (name that song). Which is why I’m officially head-over-heels in love with West Hollywood’s newest yoga hotspot, aptly called Playlist.

So what makes Playlist different than all the other yoga studios that have been power-flowing into LA lately? Well, for starters: everything. With a resident DJ and music-minded staff, the playlists at Playlist aren’t taken lightly. They’re expertly crafted to make you sweat, side-plank, and savasana to your fullest physical and emotional potential (because let’s face it, when stuff comes up for you in yoga, you know you’re doing it right). The space is sleek and chic without being in-your-face about it, and just like a favorite band or song, is more hit classic than passing fad.

And then there’s the teachers at playlist. With such a heavy focus on music, it could be easy to get by and fill classes by being more rockstar than real deal. But the beauty of the the Playlist team is that they are both. Spearheaded by TCM fave and yoga vet Nicole Sciacca, the Playlist instructors are both music driven and technically sound – inspirational and accessible. There’s no hierarchy or celeb factor here: Playlist believes that everyone is a member of the cool kids club whether you’re a newbie or seasoned pro. Some people are calling Playlist the “new SoulCycle of yoga.” But to be honest? It’s in a badasana class of its own.

Did I mention you can book your mat in advance, just like in a spin class? Yup, no need to worry about being stuck in the back – or front! – if you don’t want to be. It’s all up to you.

Want to get the Playlist experience at home? Here’s co-founder Jordan Cohen’s ultimate playlist, broken down by song (plus a deal for LA-based readers that’s music to our ears):

To get you pumped up:

Lose Yourself – Eminem. The instant that instrumental kicks in and you hear Eminem’s voice, you know its time to get to work and seize the moment.

For stress-busting:

Kings of Summer – ayokay. This song transports you to the beach… Literally.

For burning major calories:

Too Original – Major Lazer. You can’t help but move your body to this one. And that’s half the battle of the yoga class, the rest is in the mind.

To make your workout fly by:

Let’s Go (feat. Ne-Yo) – Calvin Harris. Let’s go!

For cool-down:

Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) Acoustic by Tyler Ward. This one surprises me every time.

For deep stretching:

I See Fire – Ed Sheeran. Deep feelings = deep stretching

When you don't really want to workout:

Juicy – The Notorious B.I.G. “It was all a dream…”

When you need some serious life inspiration:

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye. After listening to this song you feel as if you can conquer anything your day might throw at you.

Fave guilty pleasure:

Work B**ch – Britney Spears.

Fave NSFW jam:

Back That Ass Up – Juvenile & DJ Ideal. All music is safe at Playlist HQ, but this one brings me back to my days as a DJ in New Orleans when the whole Cash Money crew was starting out.