When we think of yoga, we think of clean, softly-lit studios with colorful yoga mats lined up side by side around the room.

And in 2021, we think: Is that even allowed?

Even with pandemic restrictions lifting across the country, it’s still difficult for a lot of people to feel comfortable heading back out to do the activities they did before. Or maybe they even found that being able to access everything online was actually… kind of great. Whatever the reason, doing yoga remotely from your home (or office) is more popular than ever.

And luckily, it also comes with tons of added benefits:

Connection:

There are so many reasons why people start to do yoga – exercise, mindfulness, or (what became increasingly apparent over the last year) connection. There’s something nice and about unrolling your mat and saying hi to the person next to you or knowing the regulars by name. It makes you feel like you’re a part of the community.

But yogis have found that you can have just as deep of a connection – if not deeper – with the other people in your class when you’re doing yoga online. Especially when you join a live yoga class, chat functions on the screen allow you to ask questions of the instructor or send notes of encouragement in times you wouldn’t otherwise be able to in the middle of class.

Remote classes also open the door to more online communities like social media groups that let you connect with like-minded people. (You know, when they’re not running out the door with a rolled-up mat under their arm after class.)

Plus, studies have shown connection helps us live longer, strengths our immune systems and decreases anxiety and depression. So yes, it’s definitely important, and you’re not missing out on any of those benefits when you join the class online.

It’s more comfortable

Whether you’re a practiced yogi or you don’t know your up dog from your down, sometimes you just don’t want to have to compare yourself with the person on the mat beside you. Being able to do yoga in the space where you feel most safe and comfortable allows you to try things you never would have in public.

Not that there’s anything wrong with falling in public (actually, we encourage it,) but if that’s something that makes you uncomfortable now, being at home allows you to practice that acceptance that, to try new things, you may fail once in a while. The more that sinks in on your own, the less scary it will be when you go to your next in-person class.

It’s more accessible

The beauty of yoga is that it can be made accessible to anyone of any ability. But even though someone in a wheelchair or with limited mobility can do yoga within their physical capacities, it can be difficult to make those adjustments in a crowded studio. When people have the option to do yoga wherever they feel more comfortable, it allows everybody to access a practice that is deeply healing – both physically and emotionally.

Flexibility

Have you ever looked at a yoga schedule and thought… huh? Who’s making it to class at 2:30pm on a Tuesday? One of the best things about remote classes is that the schedules vary much more widely, meaning you can always find something that works best for you. Want to get in an early morning practice or squeeze in some Asanas during your lunch hour? You can just hop online and find the class for you.

 It’s your time and your space – what could be better?