Yoga at home vs in studio
Over lockdown we have had no choice but to fully embrace an at home yoga practice, but now that restrictions are easing around the world and the studios are opening back up I think there’s still a place for a home practice.
At home yoga pros
Incorporating it into your life
When you have to roll out your yoga mat in your home, it breaks the barrier that yoga only happens at the studio and might make it easier for you to take the practice off your mat and into other areas of your life - remember yoga is not just about the physical asanas
Easier to slot into your day
Only have 30 minutes for yoga before you have to get ready for work? Or can you only squeeze a 15 minute stretch into your lunch break? No problem, there are yoga classes of all durations available online, or you can just roll out your mat and freestyle. This is even easier when you remove the mental hurdle of needing to book onto a class and travel to a studio.
Getting straight into bed after
I love a cozy evening restorative or yoga nidra class, but no matter how chilled out and sleepy I’m feeling afterwards by the time I’ve got home and ready for bed, the effects have usually worn off. The biggest perk of doing yoga in your bedroom is the proximity to your bed!
PJs are fully encouraged
While there are no rules dictating what you need to wear for yoga, practicing where no one can see you might provide even more encouragement to stay in your comfies rather than donning the matching leggings & sports bra. Plus you’re one step closer to being ready for bed afterwards (see above!)
Easier to pause/leave if you're not feeling it
Sometimes you just don’t click with a teacher, you’re not in the right headspace, or you come on your period during a class. You’re always welcome to leave a yoga class at any time, however during studio classes this can feel a little awkward. In online classes you can always blame an internet drop out if you want to leave the class (but please message your instructor to let them know you’re ok!), and it’s even easier to pause recorded classes if you’re not feeling it.
Access to a wider variety of instructors
Online you have access to classes from instructors from all over the world so it’s even easier to find an instructor who resonates with you rather than being limited to who teaches at your local studio.
Adapt/personalise classes or do your own thing!
If something is not feeling good for you during any yoga class, you should make any modifications to suit your body. However if you’re in a group class there is often added pressure not to stand out from the crowd, which is avoided in a solo practice. On the other hand if a certain part of the practice is feeling really good for you, you can pause an online class to explore this further or use it as inspiration to continue with your own flow.
At home yoga cons
More distractions
Pets, people you live with, deliveries, your phone - our homes are filled with so. many. distractions! If you’re able to carve out some space to practice yoga in amongst all these distractions then that shows real dedication and discipline which is an important part of the non-physical aspects of yoga - Tapas, which is one of the Niyamas.
Dodgy internet
Are we holding this pose for a long time or has the instructor frozen? The niggling worry during every single zoom class!
It’s harder for instructor to see if you're doing something potentially harmful
If you listen to your body, respect your boundaries and make any adaptations you need during a yoga class then you don’t need to worry about hurting yourself. However if you haven’t yet built up this awareness or if you want to practice more risky asanas such as inversions then it’s comforting to know that an instructor is in the room with you to help if you need it.
Less motivating
While it’s important to not force yourself to do yoga if it wouldn’t be beneficial for you at the time, it can be far too easy to skip the online classes compared to the accountability of booking a spot in a studio class.
Studio yoga pros
Connecting to people irl!
The feeling of connection when a whole room of people is breathing together can never quite be replicated online.
Equipment is provided
Some studios provide access to mats, and other props meaning you don’t have the up front investment if you’re just starting out with practicing yoga. However there are also lots of DIY options for yoga props with things you’ll have around your home.
Chill atmosphere
Studios often have all the low lighting, soft music, aromatherapy and candles that you could ask for to get you in the mood for a yoga class, and have the huge benefit of no distractions from home.
After class community
Stopping for a tea and a chat with your new yoga pal just isn’t the same online! I love studios which provide more than just the classes and are a hub for the community of people who use it.
Studio yoga cons
Externalising your practice
By only practicing yoga in a studio some people may find that they externalise the practice so they only feel 'zen' when in the studio and are unable to take the practices home with them. This leads to the opposite of an embodied and holistic practice and will limit the benefits you can experience from it.
Travel to and from
The added expense, time commitment and effort of travelling to a studio for a yoga class is a barrier for a lot of people, and this is made even worse if there isn’t a studio that you like in your local area.
Often more expensive
In person classes carry additional expenses for teachers and studio owners, which is often reflected in the cost of the classes or memberships. Compared to the thousands of free yoga classes available online or the generally lower priced zoom classes available, cost can be a big factor in people choosing whether to practice at home or in a studio.
Might feel more pressure to look a certain way
Comparison is the thief of joy, as said Theodore Roosevelt, and unfortunately yoga is not exempt from this. From what you wear to class, whether you take the ‘advanced’ option of a pose, or whether your sweat patches are visible, worrying about what other people are thinking about you can really take you out of your practice, even though in reality everyone is too busy thinking about themselves!
Other people can be distracting
You might have left the distractions of home behind but if you’ve ever rolled out your mat by a loud breather or someone that goes off into their own sequences in the middle of a class, you’ll know that being surrounded by other people can be just as distracting!
What’s your favourite way to practice? Let me know over on instagram.
If you’re interested in practicing online with me, make sure you’re signed up to my mailing list to be the first to hear about any opportunities .
