How to Choose an Online Yoga Class: What to Look For
- juliegtheyogi
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
Online yoga classes offer flexibility, support and the ability to practice anywhere. Learn how to choose a virtual class and build a consistent self-care routine.
During the first yoga class I ever taught on Zoom in April 2020, my power went out. Not once, but twice.
First during the opening meditation, and then again 10 minutes later after the class had already started moving.
As I waited for the power to come back on and the WiFi to reconnect, I remember laughing a little to myself. There I was: a yoga teacher teaching my very first online class while everything around me suddenly stopped working. I didn't have a way to reach the students on the other side of the screen.
But it was in that moment that one of yoga’s most important teachings became very real: Everything is temporary.
A few minutes later, the lights came back on and the WiFi reconnected. And I waited. What else could I do in that moment other than to wait patiently and trust the moment would pass? When I finally had a connection again, the students were still there.
That experience stays with me because it reflects something true about both yoga and life.
Even when things feel uncertain or interrupted, you can still return to why you showed up. You adjust. You continue.
And that's also what makes yoga so supportive — whether you practice in person or from the comfort of your own home online.
Why Online Yoga Matters More Than Ever
Life today is full of busyness and constant distractions. Your notifications, responsibilities, schedules and mental to-do lists can pull your attention in every direction.
When this piles up, it becomes easy to feel disconnected from yourself. But yoga creates space to come back. It gives you a moment to pause, breathe and check in with yourself instead of constantly reacting to what's happening externally.
Online yoga makes that pause more accessible than ever.
Sometimes you can't make it to an in-person yoga class because of traffic or because work runs late. Or sometimes you're not in the same city or state as the yoga teacher. Or maybe you travel frequently but need a way to stay grounded with a regular yoga practice.
With online yoga classes, you simply sign up and show up in your own space, in your own way.
Benefits of Online Yoga Classes
There are many reasons you might choose to practice yoga online. Some of them are similar to the reasons why you would take an in-person yoga class.
Online yoga class benefits include:
Flexibility and accessibility: Practice from home, while traveling or when it's not possible for you to be in person.
A supportive starting point: Practicing in your own space can feel more comfortable and you get to learn in a familiar environment.
Stress relief and regulation: Through breathwork, mindful movement and meditation, online yoga helps create a sense of balance just like in-person classes.
Fewer barriers, more consistency: Without travel time or extra planning, it can feel easier to maintain a regular practice.
What to Look For in an Online Yoga Class
Not all online yoga experiences feel the same. As with in-person classes, there are a variety of options you can choose from, including Restorative Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Chair Yoga and the styles I teach: Ayurvedic Yoga and Yoga for Self-Care.
A supportive online yoga class offers:
Clear and supportive instruction
Options for different levels
Breath-focused guidance
A pace that allows you to actually feel the practice
A sense of connection, even through a screen
The focus is not on doing everything perfectly — it’s on being present with what you’re doing, honoring your body and becoming more aware of both your body and your thoughts.
Connection Still Happens Online
One of the most common questions about online yoga I get is whether it still feels connected.
You can absolutely experience connection through a virtual yoga class:
Connection to self
Connection to breath
Connection to body
Connection to stillness
Connection to community
Connection to the teachings
Yoga is not limited by location. It's created through awareness.
Yoga originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, long before the first computer. Now, this time-tested practice can support people online around the world from wherever they are.
Choosing What Works Best for You
Both in-person and online yoga offer meaningful benefits. Many students find value in both options.
In-person classes offer shared energy and physical presence. Online classes offer flexibility and comfort. Both options support community, consistency and self-care.
The most important thing is choosing the option that works for your life and helps you stay connected to yourself consistently.
It's also important to work with a qualified yoga teacher who has experience and training in the style of yoga they teach.
I completed my first yoga teacher training in 2010 when I became a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200). In 2020, I completed my RYT 500 training with 300 additional hours of study. In 2023, I became an Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist through another 120 hours of training.
I continue to study yoga because I have a deep connection to this practice and love sharing what I learn with my students. Teaching yoga for more than 15 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
Yoga in a Life That Doesn’t Slow Down
Yoga meets you in different seasons of life — sometimes in a live-in person class, sometimes on a screen and sometimes in moments when everything feels unpredictable.
Online yoga simply expands how and when you can access that support.
It allows your practice to stay close, even when life feels full, busy or uncertain.
And sometimes, even an unexpected interruption — like a power outage during your very first online class — becomes a reminder of something steady underneath it all:
It's OK to pause, reconnect and begin again.
Start Your Home Yoga Practice With Online Yoga Classes
There are a few things you may want to have in place before starting an online yoga class at home.
Dedicated space: Even if it's a corner of your bedroom, keep the space clear enough to roll our your yoga mat. (Or keep your mat rolled out! Mine is rolled out at the foot of my bed as a reminder to practice.)
Download Zoom: If the class is held on Zoom (which many online classes are), you'll want to be sure to download it before class starts.
Decide which device you'll use: You may prefer practicing from your phone or using a laptop or desktop screen.
WiFi connection: A stable internet connection helps you stay focused without interruptions.
A non-slip yoga mat: This is the main thing you'll need, but if you don't have one right away, that's OK. I didn't own a yoga mat when I first started. I borrowed my aunt's thin purple mat from my parents' basement before taking my first yoga class at the local YMCA. Today, I love practicing on my sturdy Manduka Pro mat in Black Sage (which is actually green) and beautiful Liforme Mindful Garden Yoga Mat.
Other tools to support your practice: Yoga props like blocks, a strap, a blanket and a bolster can offer additional support, but they are optional in your yoga practice. You don't need to get them all at once or ever. (Or you can slowly collect them over time like I did.) You can also use household items like pillows in place of props or even a wall for balance and stability.
New Zoom Option for Wednesday Yoga Classes
Beginning June 10, I'm offering a new Zoom option for my Wednesday Yoga for Self-Care class at 7 PM CT. Like my Monday Ayurvedic Yoga class at 7 PM CT, you now have two options for class: in person or online through Zoom.
The Zoom option offers more flexibility if you prefer practicing from home or want the ability to join online when attending in-person isn’t possible.
Learn more about my yoga classes — Ayurvedic Yoga and Yoga for Self-Care — and how to get started so you can begin or continue your yoga journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Yoga Classes
Q: Can beginners take online yoga classes?
A: Yes! Online yoga classes can be a supportive option for beginners because you can move at your own pace in a familiar environment without pressure or comparison. Whether you're practicing online or in person, remember to always honor your body, listen to what it's telling you and modify or pause when needed.
Q: How does Zoom yoga work?
A: For my online classes, you'll download Zoom and create a free account.
My classes are taught in seasonal sessions throughout the year, so there's a winter, spring, summer and fall series. If you're joining on Zoom, you can sign up for a full series at a time. If you're joining in person, you have the option to join for a full series at a time or attend class as a drop-in.
One hour before the first class of a new series, I'll email you the Zoom class link you'll use for the entire session. At the scheduled class time, simply click the link to join. Once I see you in the waiting room, I'll welcome you into class.
You can keep your camera on or off and practice from wherever you are.
Q: What do I need for an online yoga class?
A: All you need is a device to stream the class, a little space to move and a yoga mat if you have one. Props like blocks or straps can be helpful but are completely optional.
Q: What are the benefits of practicing yoga at home?
A: Practicing at home offers flexibility, comfort and consistency. It removes barriers like travel time and makes it easier to build a steady self-care routine.
Ready to Start or Deepen Your Practice?
Whether you prefer in-person classes or the flexibility of practicing online, you’re welcome to join in a way that supports your life and schedule.
If you've practiced yoga for decades, are just getting started or returning after time away, there’s space for you here.
In my yoga classes, you’ll find guidance, options for all levels and a space that encourages you to move at your own pace.
If you’ve been curious about yoga or looking for a way to stay more consistent with self-care, online yoga offers a flexible way to support your practice wherever you are.
Get started here, and I look forward to being a part of your yoga journey.
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