Here are a few tips on how to enjoy all of the pros and none of the cons of online yoga classes at home:

1. Don’t start with an online class

If you’re entirely new to yoga (like, never done any guided yoga), it’s better not to start off with online classes alone (although online classes would still be better than attempting your first poses entirely on your own).

Take a few in-person classes to learn the proper poses (at least that basic ones) to be able to apply them to your practice and flow at home. An in-person instructor will be able to see your strengths and weakness, point them out to you and tell you how to fix them. You’ll get to know what the right form feels like in each pose so they become second nature to you. This will give you a frame of reference for you to start following with a virtual instructor.

2. Find the right online yoga class

Not all online yoga classes are created equal – what makes a good yoga video? Image quality? Sound? Music? Nope. What makes a good and effective online yoga video is the instructor – the rest are just bells and whistles. A good yoga instructor should be able to guide you primarily vocally, then visually, by explaining poses on themselves or someone else. Look for videos where you could mostly understand the instructor while your eyes are closed, so you’ll be able to follow along even if you’re not looking at the screen.

Do your research and find professional online yoga instructors who are virtually able to teach you how to do poses. Read reviews, watch their free videos and take advantage of their free trials. Don’t compromise your safety.

3. Pay extra attention to your body

While at an in-person yoga class, your instructor’s got your back, which often results in you doing the pose however you think is right thinking “if I’m doing it wrong, he/she will tell me”. While doing online yoga at home, however, the onus is entirely on you – which is actually a really great advantage! You’re forced to connect with your body and truly listen to every muscle and bone to make sure your alignment is correct.

4. Engage in an online community

Often times, the best online yoga classes also have an online community. That could be on their Instagram, a closed Facebook group, a forum, or pretty much anywhere! Follow that community for inspiration, support, connections and advice around something your truly care about.

5. Use the pause and rewind buttons

If you’re flowing along with your virtual instructor and he/she gets into a new pose you’ve never heard of and can’t manage on the fly with your head opposite to the screen, pause and rewind. There’s no need to fluster or feel frustrated that you had to stop. Watch your instructor do the pose as many times as you need to before you proceed along. It’s worth it.

6. Know when to stop

“Painful” is different than “challenging”. If you feel sharp shooting pain, numbness or tingling down a limb,or any intense pain in your knees, elbows, wrists, hips or neck, then adjust and soften your pose until it feels better. If it doesn’t get better then snake out of it. Don’t push. (Now would be a great time to engage in that online community with questions!)

7. Always end in Savasana

A good yoga video will always close in Savasana, but if it doesn’t make sure you do it yourself to bring closure to your flow and reap the benefits of your sessions throughout the rest of your day.

Namaste.