Are you also the one who is willing to begin the yoga, but all your time is being consumed in thinking only? We’ve all experienced this before, right? That moment when you want to do some yoga, but the little voice in your head begins a debate over whether to go to a studio or just unroll your mat at home! This is something some of us really struggle with, especially since the world of yoga has grown larger, giving us more options than ever before.
Both in-person yoga and online yoga classes have their own sets of beauty and benefits, and frankly, what is “best” is highly individualized. There is no right or wrong answer, just what works best for you and fits the most with your lifestyle, goals, and even your mood!
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option so you can make an educated choice for your own wonderful practice.
The Allure of Online Yoga: Convenience at Your Fingertips
Online yoga has undeniably changed the way we practice, especially over the last few years. While, before, you would have to deal with busy studios and limited schedules, now your living room, a quiet spot in your bedroom, or your garden can be your personal yoga space.
Unmatched Flexibility and Access
The best part about online yoga is the unparalleled flexibility it offers. You’re no longer beholden to a studio’s schedule.
- Are you an early riser?
- A night owl?
- A busy parent?
You can sneak in a 20-minute flow before work, unwind with a gentle evening practice, or pause and rewind to reread a sequence. For many, this added benefit makes yoga easier to fit into their already busy lives. If you live somewhere with few studios or struggle with mobility, access to online classes puts a world of yoga at your fingertips.
A World of Teachers and Styles
Consider online yoga as a worldwide buffet of instructors and styles. You are not limited to the instructors closest to you. This makes for a wonderful opportunity to try different lineages, discover new styles, and find instructors that have a teaching philosophy that resonates with you. Do you want to practice Ashtanga one day and Yin the next? Having access to online yoga platforms makes it easy to sample a variety of practices.
Comfort and Privacy
Let’s be real, walking into a new studio can be intimidating, especially if you are new to yoga. Online yoga gives you the comfort and privacy of your own space. Wear what you want, try new poses without self-consciousness, and focus exclusively on your own way. This can be particularly great for beginners or those learning challenging poses.
Budget-Friendly
Many times, online yoga classes/subscriptions are less expensive than studio memberships. They offer a more reasonably priced way to practice more consistently, ultimately allowing you to spend money on feeling good. You will typically find a variety of options, from free classes on YouTube to low monthly memberships with a plethora of content.
See also: Smart Shopping for Health Tools
The Magic of In-Person Yoga: Community and Connection
While practicing online yoga is super convenient, there is a special magic that happens when you practice in a studio (to be fair, there are many other things that are incredibly fun about in-person classes too). Walking into a studio is an experience unto itself, with its own energy and sense of being part of something bigger.
If you’re seeking more than just classes and want to immerse yourself in a structured learning path, a 200-hour yoga teacher training course is one of the most rewarding in-person experiences. At Maa Shakti Yog Bali, YTT program offers in-depth guidance, community connection, and traditional yogic wisdom in a retreat-style environment.
Guidance and Hands-On Adjustments
This is probably one of the biggest perks of a class in person. A qualified instructor can give you a (maybe even one-on-one) live adjustment based on your alignment, offer personalized verbal cues, and help keep you safe as you explore and deepen your poses using hands-on adjustments, where and when appropriate.
To us, a qualified instructor’s input regarding aligning, whether through visual adjustments or touch, is irreplaceable. This kind of live feedback can provide invaluable insight into your practice (and help with preventing injuries) as well as the complexity of understanding one pose to another.
Shared Energy and Community
There is something greatly uplifting about being in a room with a bunch of people who want to do the same thing you want to do—breathe and practice! It’s pretty amazing all the similar breaths, like energy and shared intention, can feel in a group setting.
You become a member of a community, form and nurture friendships with other yogis, and experience a natural and strong connection through yoga. This sense of mutual respect and belonging can be a powerful motivator for continuing to practice at any level of expertise.
Dedicated Space and Fewer Distractions
Even though your home may be cozy, it may also be full of distractions—a dog barking, a ringing telephone, or a pile of laundry calling your name. Yoga studios, on the other hand, offer a dedicated space in which to focus. Yoga studios help you leave the stresses of the day behind and fully connect with your practice, providing a mental divide that can be difficult to obtain at home.
Accountability and Structure
For some practitioners, committing to an in-person class by signing up beforehand and knowing they have to be somewhere at a specific time is the motivation they need. Yoga studios offer a structured environment that helps practitioners create a regular routine and feel accountable to their practice, even on low-motivation days.
So, which is best for you? Asking the Right Questions
As you can see, both online and in-person yoga offer excellent opportunities to explore and deepen your yoga practice. What is the “best” option really comes down to personal needs and preferences. To help make your decision, ask yourself the following questions:
- How does your budget look? The online option typically costs less.
- How much flexibility in your schedule do you need? If your days are unpredictable, online might be the best option.
- Do you prefer working in a group or independently? Think about whether connecting to a community is more important than practicing privately.
- How well do you self-motivate? Online classes typically require more discipline to stick to.
- Do you want individualized feedback, or do you prefer adjustments to your body being made at the moment? These things are superior in person.
- How familiar is your current relationship with movement? As a beginner, you will benefit more from an instructor’s correction.
- How easily are you distracted at home (if you do yoga at home)? If you have a studio to practice in, you might feel more focused.
Maybe the most beautiful answer is you do not have to choose! Many yogis find a great balance to incorporate both options into their routines. Perhaps you will choose to do studio classes in a community with instructors you trust, and then rather than being “online” on a busy day, that is where you can do something on a busy day in the familiar routines.
In the end, it’s all about cultivating what resonates with you to connect with your breath, give life to your body, and take care of your well-being. Whether it is moving with your breath in a crowded studio or in the solitude of your home, all that matters is the journey.
If you do want an impactful in-person yoga experience, check out the courses offered at Maa Shakti Yog Bali. They offer a unique opportunity to explore traditional lineages in courses that are authentic and educational in a peaceful retreat setting. This will be a meaningful way to deepen your yoga journey.
