The Definitive Guide to Loving Online Yoga

You love it or you hate it. No, I'm not talking about chair pose (cause that one we all hate). I'm talking about online yoga. Online yoga had its heyday during COVID when we were all thrown into it, regardless of preference. Because of this, these days online yoga often has a negative connotation as people associate it with all the tricky issues from the pandemic. 

I am here to tell you that an online yoga class is not only something you can do when you're in a pinch and can't make it to class, but it is also something you might elect to do because of its perks! Read on to discover more.

I agree that it is possible for an online yoga class to be troublesome. You are holding down dog and your field of vision is the dust bunnies collecting under the couch (where did they come from?!). Or perhaps you are in tree pose and your gaze focuses on the overflowing laundry hamper. It is harder to find that zen-like feel of a yoga class when you are in your own space.

On the other hand, an online yoga class is perfect at the end of a hectic day when you need to stretch & relax but you don't feel like social interaction. It is wonderful when you are short on time but don't want to sacrifice your yoga practice. Under the right conditions, an online yoga class is just what the yogi ordered.

Follow these tips to transform your online yoga class experience into exactly what you need it to be!

Step #1: Prepare the Environment

Just like your yoga teacher always tells you, set your intention and use that intention to prep the space. Where are you practicing? Tidy just that area. Overflowing laundry hamper? Move it into the next room. Take a look around the space where you will practice and intentionally remove anything that will nag you or distract you. Ya, we know it's still there, but it doesn't need to be glaring at you during class (rude).

Step #2: Set the Mood

Just as you prepped the physical environment, let's also be intentional about music and smell. Is there incense or a candle that you can burn 20-30 minutes before online yoga begins? The sense of smell is powerful! If you always burn the same scent before you engage in online yoga, your brain will start to associate the smell with the calm feeling of yoga. That's right - you can trick your brain into being prepared for yoga class. (The awesome side effect is that after this link is established, you can simply use this scent to calm yourself down at any time!)

Let's talk music. Usually, an online yoga class does not come with music because that is a technicality that does not transfer well over a live video. Do you want music in the background? Perhaps you already have a playlist ready for this; however, if not, ask the yoga instructor to share the playlist they are going to use for the live class. This way, you can play it in the background as you practice.

Step #3: Post-Yoga Dreaminess

One of the things most of us love about yoga is the way we feel afterwards. Yoga practice enables the brain to release all the feel good hormones and we float away from class dreamily. One issue with an online yoga class is that, immediately after class, you are right back to the laundry and the dishes in the sink and the dog who needs a walk, etc. We don't have that buffer between class and reality. 

Let's remedy this! Again we will be intentional before class starts. Plan to give yourself 10-15 minutes after class to revel in your loveliness. How would you like to do this? Perhaps you want to sip a mug of tea and write in a journal. Maybe you have a chair on the back porch that always feels relaxing to sit in. Make your plan. What will you do immediately after yoga? Then, enact that plan.

Set the expectation so that you mind does not need you to be productive until 15 minutes after class. Those 15 minutes are considered part of your yoga class. Prep all of your materials before class so that you can transition to this calm buffer time seamlessly.

Step #4: Banish the Phone

Research shows that just having your phone present in the same room - even if it is flipped so that the screen is facing down - causes distraction in the mind. No phones allowed during online yoga! Think about it: if you were in the studio, your phone would be in a cubby and you would not access it for the duration of class. Create that same environment when you are at home for a class. 

Try It Out!

Alright! Let's try it out. Signing up for an online yoga class at The Salty Blossom Studio is a breeze. You will need a current yoga pass or a drop-in pass (purchase one here). Then, all you need to do is fill out the form on the Online Yoga page. You will immediately be emailed a link to the class and off you go!

It's time to thrive, you beautiful online yogi.