When I was pregnant with my first child, I had been teaching yoga for 8 years and practicing for 13. My practice at home was strong and consistent, but I also regularly attended classes taught by other teachers at local studios, once or twice. a week. Online yoga classes weren’t on my radar yet.
On a typical day, I would practice for 30 to 45 minutes at home, usually sequencing my personal practice like the classes I taught: a few warm-ups and a bit of flow before getting into a “fancy” stance.
On a really good day, I would do an hour of yoga in the morning and then go to a 60-90 minute yoga class in the afternoon or evening.
I figured that once I had my baby, I could easily return to my daily practice at home, plus a weekly class in a studio.
I was a movement professional. How difficult could it be?
It is very difficult.
Everything changed when my first child was born.
Aside from the obvious (my body, my energy, and the fact that I was now responsible for keeping a tiny human alive), I no longer knew how to poop without freaking out, let alone manage a daily yoga practice.
Going to a class outside of my house was completely out of the question. It took me over a year after my first pregnancy to figure out how to restart my practice at home, but it took me much longer to return to a studio to take classes and I never went regularly again.
Studio classes are fantastic, but most aren’t created with #momlife in mind.
On the other hand, online classes are fantastic for moms (and I know it’s not just me because I run an online study of super short practices, specifically for moms) and I’m going to give you my top 5 reasons why moms can have a better yoga practice with online classes than in a studio.
1. Online yoga classes can be done anytime, anywhere.
Most studio classes have limited scheduling options and not all are particularly mom-friendly. When you take classes online, you can fit them into your schedule, especially a busy schedule that doesn’t stay the same week after week. The “anywhere” piece is also important. You can spread your mat next to your bed, first thing in the morning, if that suits you. You can do yoga in your living room with AirPods on while your kid watches Bluey, or you can do yoga in your kitchen while you wait for the coffee to brew. You can even take yoga on vacation if you have an internet connection. Having portable and accessible yoga changes your life.
2. You don’t need childcare.
Childcare is a big challenge for moms in general and not just for a weekly yoga class. It may be an extra expense on top of the cost of the class, but it also takes a lot of work to get a babysitter, friend, or fellow parent. With online yoga you don’t need childcare. Yes, if you practice at home while kids are around, that could mean getting interrupted by a kid who needs a snack or having his butt wiped, which isn’t ideal. But moving a little or stopping and then starting again is much better than no movement at all.
3. Online classes are customizable.
You can choose the practices that best suit your needs.
Are you breastfeeding and have tense shoulders? Here’s one of my free classes for that.
Do you have a small child at home with you and still want to move your body? Here’s one for that.
Do you have tight hips and no idea how long your child will sleep? Here’s one for that.
Online yoga makes it very easy to give yourself exactly what you need.
4. Online yoga is more affordable.
This might be the most controversial reason I share, but as a mother of 3, budgeting is important. Yoga on YouTube is free. Online studies typically cost between $10 and $60 a month. Considering you can take a yoga class every day at home if you want, those memberships are more cost-effective than a $25 free class plus $$ for childcare that you might only be able to do once a month, if you are lucky.
5. Online yoga takes less time.
It used to be that online yoga classes were like studio classes, only they were filmed. They were long (between 60 and 90 minutes) and, frankly, inefficient. Now you can find 5-minute morning yoga classes, 6-minute standing core flows, and much more. There are yoga programs based on quick practices that make the most of your time instead of feeling like you’re short on time. I wish this had been around when I was a new mom, because it’s definitely what I needed.
Motherhood is unpredictable. You need classes that are simple, fast, efficient and fun. That’s where online yoga, when done right, really shines. Online yoga is ideal for busy moms who need something quick and effective, but that also feels good on our bodies. Because attending a yoga class shouldn’t seem like an arduous task; It should feel like a gift to yourself.
Have you ever tried online yoga? What is your opinion? –Noemi
