I Finally Got Into Yoga, and I Have Online Classes to Thank

The last couple of months have taught a lot of us that working out at home can actually be fun and effective. As someone who used to be only motivated when I was in a fitness studio class, feeding off the energy of the instructor and the other people working out alongside me, I’ve changed my mind about at-home exercise.

Now, I’ve gotten into a routine, and I’m pretty sure I work out a lot more than I used to because it’s so convenient to just turn on my laptop and stream a workout. And because I’m working out solo, I’ve been feeling more adventurous to try new types of workouts. I’ve always stuck to indoor cycling and barre classes because I felt pretty competent with them and never really tried anything else because I was afraid of making a fool out of myself in class. But since I have no one to judge me for doing the wrong move in dance cardio classes or failing at burpees in a HIIT class, I’ve expanded my horizons.

One workout I’ve added to my routine is yoga. I’ve dabbled in it throughout the years but never gotten fully into it. I’ve always preferred the loud, intense fitness classes to get me amped up versus the quieter yoga classes, no matter how challenging they were. But one day I just decided to stream a yoga class to mix things up. I’m happy to report that one class made me realize maybe I was missing out. It was both challenging and calming. I remember it being a very stressful day, but after the class, I felt very peaceful. And I realized that maybe I needed that type of balance when it came to my workouts. So I’ve been doing yoga once or twice a week in addition to my HIIT, dance cardio, and sculpt classes at home.

Now, I love that my workout routine is a little bit more well-rounded, and I can still get those fun, energy-filled classes but also have a chance to center myself. Maybe you’re thinking of adding yoga to your lineup or maybe you’re already a seasoned yogi—whatever the case, I’ve rounded up some of the best online yoga classes below. Try them out to find a practice you like.

Alo Moves

One of our favorite yoga brands, Alo, has its own fitness app, Alo Moves. You’ll find hundreds of different yoga videos that range from beginner to advanced as well as low-intensity to high-intensity. The platform also offers strength, HIIT, Pilates, and barre workouts. Plus, there’s a mindfulness section with breathwork, meditation, and sound-bath sessions.

Price: Free 14-day trial; $20/month or $199/year

Sky Ting

With locations in New York City, this popular yoga studio also has on-demand classes through its Sky Ting TV platform. The class offerings are extensive, including prenatal and postnatal, anti-stress sessions, mobility and stretching classes, and core-building.

Price: 7-day free trial; $20/month

Annie Clarke

Annie Clarke has a popular YouTube channel with yoga, meditation, and breathwork videos, and all of them have thousands of views. But if you want to get even more serious with your practice and find a community, Clarke also has The Practice, an online studio and membership community. Members will get four full-length classes and a meditation every month in addition to being able to view past classes. And you’ll also get access to a Facebook Group to meet other members.

Price: Free for YouTube videos; $19/month, $102/6 months, $191/annually

Obé

Obé is my fitness streaming platform of choice right now. It’s how I got into yoga! You can take a traditional vinyasa flow class, or try a yoga sculpt (with light hand weights) or a restorative stretch. I love doing the stretch classes when I’ve been sitting at my computer the whole day. In addition to yoga, Obé also features other classes like dance cardio, HIIT, Pilates, sculpt, barre, cardio boxing, and more.

Price: Free 30-day trial; $27/month, $199/year

Gaia

With over 8000 yoga practices, documentaries, and original series, you’ll never be bored with your Gaia subscription. The extensive video library makes it easy to try different types of yoga styles. Plus, members have access to mindfulness content, like meditation.

Price: Free 7-day trial; $12/month

Y7

If you’ve never been able to make it to a We Flow Hard class at one of the Y7 studios in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York, now’s your chance to try it with Y7 Online. You’re in for a unique experience. The classes are music-driven, and you’ll probably hear familiar artists like Drake, Frank Ocean, SZA, and Cardi B in your sessions. Members will have access to the library of yoga videos and weekly live-streamed classes.

Price: Free 7-day trial; $16/month

Glo

Glo has over 4000 classes on demand and not just yoga but meditation and Pilates. To start, you’ll answer three questions to personalize your experience, and you can also choose workouts based on how much time you have. Members also get access to Glo’s community, where you can chat with other members and read wellness tips and Q&As.

Price: Free 15-day trial; $18/month

Yoga Studio: Mind & Body

The Yoga Studio app makes it so easy to follow so you get your form just right. The classes and poses have elements of vinyasa, Iyengar, yin, and nidra yoga styles. In the app, you can schedule and track your classes to sync with your phone’s calendar. And if you’re on the go and don’t have access to Wi-Fi or don’t want to use your cellular data, you can download classes.

Price: Free 7-day trial; $10/month

YogaWorks

YogaWorks has studios all over the country, but if you can’t make it to one, you can also stream a workout with YogaWorks Live. Members will get access to daily live classes, and there are even free community classes for non-members, too. And from looking at the schedule, there’s a class every hour from morning until evening.

Price: $99/month

CorePower

With a membership, you can get access to over 300 CorePower yoga, sculpt, and meditation classes on demand. And it’s easy to fit these classes into your schedule. There are five-minute meditations and 60-minute flows for every level. You can also try some free classes before you commit to becoming a member.

Price: $20/month

Yoga Workouts by Daily Burn

Daily Burn’s yoga app features 15- to 45-minute classes for all levels, so it’s easy to get started if you’re a beginner. You can also search by category, depending on your needs and goals, like balance, de-stress, or sweat sessions. There are over 100 videos in the library with new ones added every week.

Price: Free 30-day trial; $10/month, $70/year (only available on iOS)

Yoga With Adriene

Yoga instructor Adriene Mishler has an extensive library of free yoga videos on YouTube. She has 10- to 60-minute practices, so you can still squeeze in a session if you’ve got a busy schedule. And there are even videos for certain needs, like relieving neck tension or back pain. For those who want to get serious about their practice, you can also join Adriene’s Find What Feels Good (FWFG) Yoga platform and get access to 700 yoga and meditation videos and more premium content.

Price: Free for YouTube videos; 7-day free trial for FWFG, $10/month, $100/year

Yoga Gear and Accessories

And if you’re going to be starting a yoga practice, you might need some essentials, like a mat, blocks, a towel, and more. Here are some of our favorite accessories and gear:

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 3mm ($68)

First things first, you’ll need a mat. Lululemon’s are worth the splurge. This one is moisture-absorbing, so you won’t have to worry about getting sweaty and slipping. It also has more than enough cushion to make you feel comfortable.

Gaiam Yoga Blocks (Set of 2) ($18)

Yoga blocks can help you find stability so that you can master the correct form and get even deeper into some poses. These ones from Gaiam are made of durable and supportive foam with a non-slip surface.

Manduka Equa Mat Towel ($38)

A yoga towel can come in handy if you find that you’re slipping during your sweaty sessions. This towel is quick-drying and super-soft—you can even use it for the beach or travel.

Tumaz Yoga Strap ($9)

This is the strap I have at home, and it’s helped me relieve tension and stretch out when I’ve been sitting at the computer for a long time. You can use the strap to deepen poses and release tension.

Zella High Waist Studio Pocket 7/8 Leggings ($65)

We’re obsessed with Zella leggings, and this lightweight pair is great for yoga (and pretty much every workout).

Alo Yoga Sneak Long Bra ($62)

This longline bra provides light to medium support, which is perfect for yoga. It has four-way stretch and it’s moisture-wicking.

Next up: 11 of the Best Yoga Brands, According to 3 Professional Instructors

This article originally appeared on The Thirty

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