Incorporating yoga practice into your life takes planning. You could be a stay-at-home parent with little time to get to a yoga studio. Or you could live in a rural area where the nearest gym or yoga studio is hours away. That's why the emergence of distance learning yoga has been beneficial for those people whose options have been limited by their schedules or circumstances.
Online
Simply put, distance learning yoga involves turning on your computer and tuning in to a yoga class. From beginners to advanced students, there are classes for everyone. Most classes feature certified teachers demonstrating anything from a single pose, to a full class with students who have volunteered to be part of the video. There are even online yoga teacher-training programs for those practitioners who have decided they want to teach and can't afford time off from work to travel for their certification.
Types
My Free Yoga offers free videos featuring beginner yoga classes and advanced poses, to classes that can help mitigate the effects of diabetes and high blood pressure. Internationally known yoga teacher Seane Corn offers downloads of her classes for under $5, as of December 2010. She says, "Some classes will be alignment-based, focusing on structure and stability . . . Some classes will emphasize proper breathing and timing . . . There are classes that have physical themes that focus on the shoulders or hips." My Yoga Online offers a premium membership with unlimited streaming capability for $9.95 a month, as of December 2010, with access to videos that last from five to 90 minutes. They make a pitch for owning your download in case the Internet is not available.
Community
Distance learning yoga does not necessarily mean going it alone. Some sites have communities where you can share experiences, post your wellness goals and connect with students and teachers from around the world. According to senior teacher Erich Schiffmann, "By far, the best outcome is the improved and increased communication between everybody, as well as being able to talk to so many people that I'll probably never get to meet in person." In print since 1975 with a readership of over 1 million, "Yoga Journal" has an online presence and an established community of yoga enthusiasts who share a blog with other members.
Benefits
With distance learning yoga, you can learn at your own pace, advance in your own time and spend little or no money. You can take a class at any time of the day, at ease in your own home with no pressure to dress in the latest yoga gear or to compete with the yogini on the mat next to you.
Warning
Before starting any new fitness routine, check with your physician. While yoga classes can be gentle, without a qualified teacher there to stop you from advancing past your comfort zone, injuries can happen. Stretching your muscles and building strength take time, so if you're new to yoga, trust your body's warning system and never push yourself beyond your current limits.
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