When Yoga Comes to You. The Benefits of Online Yoga
When I first started teaching yoga online, I never imagined I'd still be doing it years later.
Like so many yoga teachers, I moved my classes online during Covid. It was a strange and challenging time, but something wonderful came from it too. I discovered that yoga could connect us even when we couldn't physically be in the same room.
When life returned to something resembling normality, I gradually returned to teaching most of my classes in person. But I decided to keep two online classes.
And I'm so glad I did.
Because I've realised that online yoga offers something really special. It makes it easier to keep your practice going, wherever life happens to take you.
Yoga without the journey
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of an online yoga class is also one of the best:
You don't have to go anywhere.
There's no traffic, parking, rushing from work or allowing extra time for travelling. You simply roll out your mat at home and join me.
Some of my students attend both my in-person and online classes because they love being able to fit an extra yoga practice into their week without having to make allowances for travel.
And for others, online yoga means they can continue practising with me even when life takes them somewhere else.
One of my students, Raj, started his yoga journey with me in my in-person group classes in Harrow. After moving away from the area, he continued with my Saturday morning Zoom class.
“It has been seamless and convenient, I can't do without them!” Raj
I love that. His location changed, but our yoga connection didn't have to.
Yoga can travel with you
Online yoga is also wonderful when you're away from home.
Holiday? Take your yoga with you.
Working away? Take your yoga with you.
Staying somewhere for a few days? Take your yoga with you.
One of my private students is a surgeon with a very busy working life. Over the years, she's joined me online from a conference hotel bedroom, a hotel gym, her garden and even a covered patio beside a swimming pool!
Another student, Leena, joined my online classes from her holiday home in the Balearic Islands:
“Joining Joanne's online yoga classes whilst I was away was a wonderful way to keep up with my practice. Practising from my holiday home, with the beautiful blue skies and sunshine of the Balearic Islands as my backdrop, made each class feel especially calming and peaceful. Even though I wasn't in the studio, the online classes gave me a sense of routine and helped me stay connected to my practice. Yoga isn't just a place you go to, it's something you carry with you wherever you are.” Leena
And I think Leena sums it up beautifully.
Monday evening: time to slow down
My Monday evening online class runs from 8–9pm and is a gorgeous restorative yoga practice.
After a busy Monday, it's an opportunity to step away from the noise, demands, digital stimulation and thinking mind.
Through gentle movement, supported postures, stillness and relaxation, we invite the body and mind to slow down and settle.
It's the perfect class to do in your pyjamas!
Finish your practice, run a bath, turn the lights down and creep into bed.
One of my regular students describes it perfectly:
“I've attended the online Monday evening yin yoga class for the past few years, and it's perfect for winding down after a busy Monday. The sessions really support my flexibility and relaxation, and the informal, welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to show up just as I am — often with my cat, who seems to enjoy it too.” Siobhan
Saturday morning: welcome the weekend
Then there's my Saturday morning class, 10–11am.
This is an Empowering Yoga flow - a completely different energy from Monday evening.
It's a chance to wake up the body, release the stresses of the week, move, strengthen and energise.
Rather than rushing straight into the weekend, you get an hour to reconnect with yourself first.
You'll finish feeling more energised, uplifted and ready for the weekend ahead.
Yoga that fits around your life
I love teaching my in-person classes. There's something special about practising together in the same physical space and sharing the energy of a room.
But online yoga offers something different.
It removes some of the barriers that can sometimes stop us from practising.
You can join from your living room, your garden, your holiday villa or your hotel room.
You can practise when you're short on time, when you're away with work or simply when you don't want to leave the house!
And perhaps that's the real beauty of it.
Yoga doesn't have to fit around your life. It can fit into your life.
Sometimes it can simply be:
Roll out your mat.
Press join.
And breathe.
My two weekly online classes
Monday | 8–9pm
Restorative Yoga
A gentle, deeply relaxing practice to help you wind down, quieten the mind and prepare for a restful night's sleep.
Saturday | 10–11am
Empowering Yoga Flow
A flowing, energising practice to wake up the body, release the stresses of the week and welcome the weekend.
Whether you're new to yoga, already attend one of my in-person classes or simply want to add another practice into your week, I'd love you to join me.
No journey required.
Just your mat, a little space and an hour for yourself.