As a mother and yogi, it has been a challenge to find time for my practice.
But, especially now that I have a newborn in additional to the wild and wonderful world of my 5 year old boy, I have found that I need my time on the mat even more. You can always just flow and do whatever feels good to your body, but I do best with a guided practice.
Now, during this time of social distancing and staying home, guided in studio classes are not an option. But, that doesn’t mean that you cannot reap the benefits of all that yoga has to offer!
Take your mat online!
Here are some things to remember when accessing virtual class options:
- Yoga is for EVERYBODY, but your body may have specific limitations. For example, if you have a knee or a shoulder injury, be very careful when following a sequence. Keep your own body in mind and make adaptions when needed.
- Yoga is not football. We do not have leave 200% on the field. Be gentle with your body, especially when just beginning a yoga practice.
- If it hurts, you’re doing it wrong. Seek guidance.
- As one of my favorite teachers said at every class, “As long as you’re breathing, you’re doing yoga.” Remember that mantra as you approach challenging poses. The breath is the most important piece of the practice. If it’s hard to breathe, come out and try again.
Acadiana Studio Options
During Covid-19 the following Acadiana studios are offering online options! Make sure to patronize your local yogis before heading on out into the bigger virtual yoga world. After all, we will be out of quarantine one day!
Acadiana Yoga & Wellness
Acadiana Yoga & Wellness is one of Acadiana’s oldest studios and is nestled in the heart of the Oil Center. This is where I have taken prenatal yoga classes for both of my children. The studio brings about a visceral feeling of “ahhhhh” when I pull up in the parking lot. They are currently offering classes via Zoom. Check their website for pricing and follow their YouTube Channel for some FREE class options!
The Space
The Space Yoga studio is located by Don’s Seafood Hut on Johnston. They are also offering classes right now via Zoom. They offer a variety of classes from heated flows to restorative bliss. Make sure to check their Facebook page for updates, motivation and fun videos!
Good Wolf Power Yoga
Good Wolf Power Yoga is a power yoga studio located in Parc Lafayette. Good Wolf is offering paid classes via Zoom and some additional FREE options via Facebook Live that can also be accessed at your leisure. They are also selling an amazing tank that says “Namaste 6 feet away” and I’m just going to have to have that. #covidbudget
Balance: Well-being Yoga & Consulting
Looking for a studio outside of Lafayette? This Abbeville based studio has developed a virtual studio during Covid-19 where you can choose to “rent” or “buy” classes with a ton of “bonus features” available with purchase. There are also a few Pilates practices available as well! And when the world opens again, Balance is the home of Aerial Yoga (the awesome practice of using yoga silks to enhance poses and do fun things like go upside down!)
Subscription Based Virtual Yoga Programs
For classes that are available online on your schedule, check out the following options!
Yoga with Adriene
Yoga with Adriene is available on YouTube for FREE! Yes, you heard me right, FREE! If you have an issue, Adriene has a yoga sequence to address that sequence. Stress, cramps, low back pain, grief, rainbow yoga! You name it, she has a sequence for it. She also has several yoga 30 day challenges or camps available for your viewing pleasure.
Fitbit Premium
Are you obsessed with your daily step count? Well, I am. And I was super-psyched to find out that Fitbit premium offers multiple guided programs and classes, not the least of which was a huge selection of yoga classes! There are also several prenatal options on the app. They are currently offering 90 days of Premium for free, $9.99/month thereafter. And, if you are competitive like me, you’ll enjoy the ability to get into virtual competitions with friends and family all across the globe.
Glo
This is one of my favorite online options. Not only does is allow you to yoga fan girl out (I’m kind of obsessed with Jason Crandell, Kathryn Budig, and Jo Tastula), but each class is shot from an angle that makes you feel like you are in the actual class. Glo has awesome Pre-natal options and fantastic Post-natal options that include baby in your practice. Glo offers a 15 day free trial and is $18/month thereafter.
Gaia
Do you have Amazon Prime? I know, dumb question, you’re a mom. Of course you do. Gaia is an additional channel available through Prime. They offer a 7 day free trial with a $9.95/month charge thereafter. Gaia is how I found one of my favorites, Ryan Leier of One Yoga Studio. His classes are a ball and his story is both heart breaking and inspiring. There are a ton of classes in a variety of styles available on this service. Some have you on a beach, some in a studio, some on a mountain-pick your setting and your teacher!
Yoga Anytime
Yoga Anytime also offers a free 15 day trial with a $18/month charge thereafter. A nice feature of Yoga Anytime are their Yoga challenges (the 30 day Feeling Alright Challenge with Robert Sidoti is my person favorite) and “Yoga Shows.” They also offer Pre-natal, Post-natal and a few “Mommy and Me” options. In addition, they offer kid and family classes and “yoga shows.” Not too shabby for $18/month!
There are many other online yoga options; these are only a few! Which ones are your favorites? Leave them in the comment!
Let’s use our yoga pants for more than Nama-staying on the couch!
Let’s get zen at home!
