People ask pretty often what my favorite home yoga options are, and I really stink at giving great answers – sorry guys. So I decided to take some time and do my research so my answer wouldn’t stink so much. I personally use the same home resources over and over and over, I don’t branch out much. This whole “research” exercise was good, I found a bunch of great new options and still have a few more to try (those are the ones with little to no review) – it’s good to try new things and change things up.
Here is a great list, now you guys change things up – go ahead give it a try!
metallic mat: c/o Manduka – strap: c/o Manduka – towel: c/o Manduka
APPS
- Yogify – (5 sequences free, buy additional ones) I like this app and I use it often, it’s a bit slower moving (and it’s not a video) and the holds are long but I like it like that sometimes (and it’s pretty looking) easy for beginners to advanced when you need something short and sweet to follow along too. *good for beginners.
- FitStar Yoga – (free to get, requires package purchases later) The app looks pretty and the videos are easy to follow, anyone have a good first hand review?
- Yoga Break – ($3.49) Full video classes, along with fun track your progress add ons. They also have some good 3-15 min sequences built for beginners. *good for beginners.
- Yoga Studio – ($4.59) This is a popular app, alot of people I know use it…but I have yet to try myself. It has full videos, and you get to choose from 65 videos or make your own. Oh and I like the option to schedule in your classes, and it’ll sync to your calendar.
- Gain Yoga – (free to get, requires package purchases later) I haven’t tried this one yet, so no review but looks like it’s worth a try.
- iYoga – (free to get, really affordable classes purchases later) Full videos and posture breakdowns, only offers two difficulty levels so probably not a great beginner choice.
- Yoga.com – ($4.59) 45 video classes, different levels and sequences, has a track your progress option as well.
- Pocket Yoga – ($3.49) I have always shyed away from this one, because the cartoon drawings didn’t appeal to me. But after looking at it again it’s actaully pretty good. Good for all levels, lots of variety and good breakdowns – no videos, mostly following cartoon people. *good for beginners.
BOOKS
- Om Yoga – ($19.95) A book of weekly sequences, with easy to follow stick man illustrations (which is great because, there is no comparing yourself to a stick man). Great for the days when you can’t make the studio or when you are just beginning and want to have a feel for what poses to expect.
YOU TUBE
- Yoga with Adriene – (free) I have only tried one of her videos before and it was good – she has a bunch of different videos that are very well-organized. This is an online yoga series that gets tons of rave reviews from many people – so for sure worth a try! *really great for beginners.
- Tara Stiles – (free) Take a wide range of Tara’s Strala classes online for free!
- Yoga Journal – (free) A wide variety of free classes, most are a quick sequence or a breakdown of some postures.
ONLINE MEMBERSHIP
- YogaDownload.com – ($10 or $18/month) You download the classes of your choosing plus there are tons of other great resources like pose guides and playlists. This one is at the top of my list to try.
- YogaGlo.com – ($18/month) Yoga videos in any style or level, follow your favorite teachers. New videos added often.
- YogaVibes.com – ($20/month) Follow a specific studio or teachers class, tons of different styles and class lengths – and it’s a Yoga Journal website, in case that matters.
- MyYogaOnline.com – ($9.95/month) Same sort of monthly membership as the rest, but way cheaper. Access to tons of videos, all styles, new ones added often – this one is a Gaiam website.
FOR KIDS
- Cosmic Kids – (free youtube videos) To my kids this is the only yoga video for kids, by far a favorite.
- YogaVibes.com – (free trial or $20/month membership) Really this works only if you getting a membership for your own needs, they also have 5 classes for kids.
- Namaste Kid – (DVD set) a set of 3 DVDs you can buy on amazon or from the site.
I found this resource, 30 days of yoga from Marianne Elliott it looks great for beginners or really anyone who can’t make it to a studio – if you try it, please let me know how it is!
I used to prefer to follow videos of any kind on a tv/computer, now I lean more towards apps for my phone of ipad. Apps seem to make it easier and fewer steps equals less excuses. So I skipped the videos entirely off this list, I was going for the “few steps and mostly affordable home practice resources” – but if you reallly dig the DVD option, I can add a few.
And if you have a great resource to add, please share!
*not really related, but also very. Practice/Practise, always the most confusing grammar when it comes to US and UK differences so I just stick with the spell check option, close my eyes and hope for the best!
Are you looking to start going to studio classes but are worried about the cost? Check out Yoga to Fit Any Budget.
After you choose a method for practicing at home, here is how to make that Home Practice a Priority.
I just bought the om yoga book after your recommendation and it’s got me totally jazzed about yoga which I haven’t been for years. Never thought I would prefer a book to a video but I definitely do. THANKS
So great! I loved that book, thanks for the reminder I should add that to the list!
I just finished the 30 Days of Yoga with Adriene series, and it was really really great! It was my first brush with yoga, so definitely awesome for the complete beginner. She also gives options in the videos for more advanced yogis too, so everyone can join! She’s hilarious and easy to follow along with.
Brandy, thank you so much for putting this list together. I just had a conversation with a friend of mine this last weekend about how I have really enjoyed my casual flirtations with yoga in the past, but – to be honest with myself – have just never made a priority out of making it a habit and developing a real practice. I am clicking through to all of these links and so inspired by the variety of different styles and learning options there are out there now! And up next, I’m off to read your post about making a home practice a priority! Thanks again for this awesome resource!
Jessica Leigh
Unapologize
I’m glad I could help, hopefully a little! Though, casual flirtations sounds pretty special. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these resources. I’ll be sure to check out the resources which offer video tutorials. So far, I have been taking video tutorials by various yoga gurus from pranamaya.com every month. Hope it is useful for other people as well.