As a physiotherapist, wellness coach and Yogalates teacher I often get asked whether I prefer practicing Yogalates at home or in a class. And studio environment…To be honest, I can’t really answer that one because I get SO much out of both.
Going to a Yoga or Pilates class has to be one of my favourite things to do as I thrive on the group energy and often feel uplifted, by the zen studio surroundings and energy, that I walk away feeling as though I have really nurtured myself. That said, I realise that going to class is a luxury and not affordable, time wise or financially, to do daily!
I’m both an avid practitioner and a Yogalates teacher and I fully believe in the power of attending classes, but I also realise that it can be a costly pastime and the reality is, not everyone can afford a daily studio class.
This is where a home practice comes in. On those days you don’t (or can’t) go to class, practicing via an online Yogalates class is a great way of making sure that Yogalates is part of your daily life. Consistency builds a healthy habit, strength and openness of body and mind…
Online Yogalates has its own unique space too in the world of modern online program offerings…It offers its own unique benefits that help Yogalates be even more accessible to a wider demographic. The discipline, motivation, strength, flexibility, focus and commitment that you can gain from practicing Yogalates online has a powerful trickle effect that can infiltrate all aspects of your life
Talking of the benefits to practicing Yogalates online, there are a few benefits that you may not be so familiar with. These lesser-known perks are a few of the key reasons I’ve swapped my yoga and Pilates studio pass for my beloved living room floor.
Online classes offer many benefits;
You can practice from the comfort of your own home You Choose When You Practice…..When you practice at home, you have the flexibility to choose whatever time works best for you. This means you can fit your practice around your lifestyle and your work/family commitments (without having to rush to get there. This is almost another benefit in itself). If you struggle to find time during the day, I recommend getting up a little earlier in the morning as the benefits you will get from your yoga will almost certainly outweigh the little bit of sleep you sacrifice.
You can wear what you want! I no need for latest athletic wear! I bet I’m not the only person who has practiced yoga in their PJ’s! One of the things I love about practicing at home is that you can literally step out of bed and onto your mat. Don’t get me wrong, I love wearing my @teamjaggard apparel like anyone else, but at home you can practice in your oldest pair of track pants (or PJ’s…!) and feel completely relaxed about it.
There’s no one to compare with… in yoga and Pilates classes (and in life) it’s human nature to compare yourself with others. Comparison and self judgement can be quite exhausting right? When you practice Yogalates at home, and online you literally have nobody to impress and nobody to use as a benchmark and this creates the opportunity to tune inwards and have a deeper experience of Yogalates… Practicing online means that you are there for you, focused 100% on your own practice with no distractions or opportunity to compare or compete.
It’s all about you and your practice…
While yoga is a deeply personal practice, when we attend a class we are energetically connected to others and therefore sharing that experience. When an advanced modification is given in a studio setting it is hard not to take it or attempt it, even if we gain more benefit from the pose in the original version.
When you practice at home however, your energy is directed entirely towards you. You can modify your poses and sequences to your true physical and emotional needs on the day. Take time to master a pose or skip one! This is not selfish, in fact this is a really smart thing to do
Practicing yoga at home makes it solely about your yoga journey and no one else’s ….
Press pause…Literally! Another benefit of online Yogalates is the pause button…..In a public yoga class, you can’t exactly ask everyone to pause while you practice your boat pose or a stretch for another minute. When you practice yoga at home, you can pause the class any time if you want a few extra minutes to practice a particular pose……you can press pause or rewind when you need to take rest or when you want to repeat and refine a sequence or pose that makes you feel good. Or, perhaps you want to slowly break a sequences that you find challenging and repractice in order to get it down pat!
it’s convenient and flexible…
Tired? Just got home from a long day at work , making the kids dinner, helping with homework etc etc and now you’re facing the prospect of changing and going back out into the world to face traffic and other people to put your mat down in a studio class? Most of those who practice at home say “Nah” to that.
Practicing at home is handy! You can press the play and pause button when it suits you!!! You can do it when and wherever you like, no need to check Yogalates class timetables, change your outfit, and you don’t have to battle the highway the. Parking or the train to get there.
It’s Affordable
An online monthly membership is usually cheaper than a single in-person
46 percent of those who practice at home do so because it’s easier on the wallet. YouTube yoga and Pilates tutorials are free, and other at-home yoga materials can be far more affordable than studio fees—not to mention the added cost of getting to studio classes and back!
While all of the above aspects of online practice can be very attractive, practicing at home also come with its considerations…If you’re finding a pose difficult, or perhaps holding a pose with incorrect form, it’s difficult to improve by yourself and you may put yourself at increased risk of injury. It can be very nice to have the personalized feedback and adjustments of someone who can actually see your body in real life—this goes for both beginners and experienced students. If you have a preexisting injury or condition, practicing on your own could be more dangerous than doing so it with a trained teacher who can nurture you and modify your exercises as needed. Some online programs (including my “ beyogalates” program have both live classes with a qualified teacher ( in my program a physiotherapist) as well as the library of access anytime workouts this structure give you an opportunity to touch base with your teacher prior to And after the live online class to confer about any injuries and specific needs.
I genuinely love chatting to the Beyogalates pre and post live class so I can tailor the sequences to their physical and emotional needs! Why Not Do Both? In programs like this you can!!! Yoga and Pilates classes should naturally be a welcoming, non-judgmental space, so if you’re not vibing with a certain studio, instructor, or class, try and experience another studio or online program. Many programs have a free trial period before you subscribe fully so it’s a great way to take a test drive! It can take a few tries to find a place that’s right for you, so don’t give up just because of one experience that didn’t sit well with you! With that said, however, many people enjoy practicing both at home , in an online class and incorporating an occasional class the studio, So it’s also worth noting that the fact that many yogis enjoy practicing at home may not necessarily be taking away from the attendance of in-person classes.
Clearly, practicing Yogalates online means you can practice anytime. More time means more opportunity to advance – in every aspect of the practice.
Online Yogalates allows you to choose exactly what type of yoga class you want every time you practice. Whether it’s a restorative fundamental Class after a long day or a 20 minute power flow If you’re short on time! Online Yogalates with the 3 weekly live classes in beyogalates program is a curated and specific way to meet your needs and make your practice that much more beneficial
Online Yogalates offers you more luxury in the time you have to play, learn , grow and live…
Lisa x
