Should You Try Online Yoga Classes?

Whether you’re experienced with yoga or would like to get started with classes, you’ve probably been weighing the benefits of online yoga classes, rather than going to a studio. To help you determine if they’re right for you, we’re breaking down some of the pros and cons.

Benefits of Online Yoga Classes

First, let’s look at some of the benefits of taking an online, or streaming yoga class.

Enjoy Yoga from the Comfort of Home

The main benefit of taking a yoga class online is that you don’t have to leave the house. For many people, it’s hard to find a babysitter or are too tired after work to get back out and head to the studio. It may also be a factor that there isn’t a yoga studio near where you live or work. When these factors stop you from taking yoga, finding a streaming class may be just the thing to get you moving.

Take a Class Anytime

Just like location can be an issue, so can time. If your schedule is all over the place and it’s hard to find time to go to a scheduled class at a studio, online yoga classes are always available. Whether you’re at your best at 7:00 a.m. when you’ve just woken up or 9:00 p.m. after the kids are in bed, it’s easier to fit a streaming class into your busy day.

Discover Different Classes

There are countless types of yoga, including hot yoga (also called Bikram yoga), Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha. Depending on your preference and even your mood, you can always find the right class that will meet what your body and mind are craving.

The Drawbacks to Online Yoga Classes

While there are several benefits to taking a yoga class online, it’s also important to recognize that it may not be the right option for you. Here are some things to consider when you’re weighing your options:

Harder to Learn

When you’re on your own following an online class, it’s harder to keep your eyes on your screen while moving your body through the poses. That means you may find the poses more challenging. With a live class at a studio, the instructor can offer more directed guidance to help you move and get into position.

Safety Considerations

When you’re moving into poses and holding them, it’s important to know how to move to prevent injury or poor form that can be uncomfortable. Again, when you’re at a live class, the instructor can see how you move and your poses and correct you in the moment to prevent injury. Also, they can work with you to modify poses to be more comfortable.

Missing Communal Experience

When you’re in the studio, you’re in a space that is designed for meditation, movement, and achieving inner peace. At home, that may be difficult to do when the kids are playing, your phone is going off, the dog is barking, or you’re thinking of the pile of mail you need to sort. Plus, the social aspect of yoga can be highly beneficial, and many people bond and connect with their classmates.

Easy to Skip Classes and Get Out of Routine

When you’re at home, it often feels like there’s always something to do or maybe you’re simply comfortable on the couch. When that happens, it’s easy to put off practicing yoga. With a scheduled class at a studio, there’s more self-accountability, especially if you pre-paid for the classes.

Join Us for a Yoga Class at Our Smithfield Studio

At The Yoga Connection, we offer a variety of yoga classes for every experience level and comfort level from beginner to expert, and to keep you moving in between, we also have online yoga classes that are an excellent supplement.  If you would like additional information about our yoga classes, training, or workshops, call us today at  919-971-1431 or fill out the contact form!