Six benefits of practicing yoga online.
Online yoga stormed into our lives with the speed an intensity of a massive wave last year and it looks like it will continue its success story in the year 2021 as well. Practicing yoga online isn’t a new concept, I was taking online yoga classes already 10 years ago, but after Covid-19 put our lives upside down and sort of forced us all to find new ways of working out, online yoga became part of daily life for many of us.
To be honest, at the beginning I was very reluctant to start teaching online mainly because it was new territory and because the style of yoga that I teach is very alignment based so seeing and adjusting my students is an important part of my classes. Through the computer screen, I can’t do hands-on assisting and until I managed to connect my laptop to a big screen I barely was able to even see my students to give more precise verbal corrections. Doing the practice while teaching also offered its own challenge. When I teach at a studio I never do my own practice because I am there for my students. My 100% attention goes to my students so that they can have the best possible experience and evolve in their own practice.
But, as we all know, challenges are there for our growth. If I could choose, I would teach most of my classes offline in a studio but I must say that after turning the challenges into victories I actually like teaching online as well. It’s different but it can be an amazing experience and online yoga classes will be part of my weekly schedule even after I can get back to teaching in a studio. Here are my top six benefits for practicing yoga online:
ONLINE YOGA SAVES YOU TIME
Since all you need to join a yoga class online is your laptop/smart phone/tablet, you can basically start practicing exactly where you are! No need to travel to the studio and spend time in traffic. You can use that extra time on things that you normally don’t have time to do. Maybe you call a friend with who you haven’t spoken for a long time, spend some quality time with your kids, catch up on work, go for a walk in nature, or whatever you feel like doing. Maybe have a short power nap to boost your energy levels before taking a class.
2. YOU CAN PRACTICE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME
I’m sure you’ve had that moment right at the end of Shavasana where the teacher asks you, with a soft voice, to start slowly “waking up” but you don’t want to get up just yet. Well, if you’re at home you can just continue resting in Shavasana as long as you like. Besides that amazing benefit, you also don’t have to be carrying your yoga stuff from one place to another. Just get changed in your own home, enjoy the practice, and take a long warm shower afterward. No hurry, no stress, longer-lasting yoga bliss.
3. YOU GET A RECORDING OF THE CLASS FOR FREE
This is one of my favorite benefits! I mean how amazing it is that you get to retake the class you attended basically for free!? You pay for one class but actually, you get a few more. The recording will be available to you for five days and during that time you can watch the recording as many times as you want!
4. YOU GET TO DEEPEN YOUR PRACTICE
If you used to practice yoga once a week now you have the possibility, with the price of one class, to practice yoga at least four times a week! Taking the same class a few times gives you an invaluable opportunity to deepen your yoga practice and better learn the nuances of each asana. Mastering an asana or your practice doesn’t happen overnight or in one class. Practice makes perfect 🙂 As one of my favorite quotes says:
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times. -Bruce Lee
5. HELPS YOU TO MAKE YOGA PART OF YOUR DAILY LIFE
Practicing yoga at home by attending an online yoga class helps you to associate your home as a great place to practice yoga. It will be easier for you in the future to start practicing on your own as well and make yoga a part of your daily life. This is a great opportunity to create your own sacred yoga space that is dedicated to your wellbeing. When the space is ready with all the props you need it will be easier for you to get on the mat and start practicing.
6. YOU NEVER HAVE TO MISS A CLASS AGAIN
Did something unexpected happen and you couldn’t make it to the class? No worries, you will receive the recording of the class and you can watch it & practice with it when it suits the best for you.
Even if you are an advocate for practicing yoga in a studio (just like me) I would say those are pretty valid points to consider especially in times like these when online yoga is our only choice. It’s either that or nothing. I encourage you to give it a try. I will still be there guiding you, holding the virtual space for you, giving as many verbal instructions, and offering corrections as well as I possibly can, and there is always time for questions and answers and connecting with the other students after the class.
