The 7 Best Online Yoga Classes to Take Your Practice Virtual

One of the best parts about practicing yoga? It doesn't require a ton of equipment or space. So, for those who can't (or prefer not to) attend an in-studio class, online yoga classes and programs make practicing at home convenient and accessible.

Whether you practice Vinyasa regularly or are completely new to yoga, there are plenty of ways to get your flow on. Browse our top virtual yoga class picks and start stretching in just a few clicks.

After researching the most popular online yoga classes and chatting with Holly Perkins, CSCS, author of ‌Lift to Get Lean,‌ we chose the following classes based on these criteria:

• Class and program variety
• Pricing
• Certification

Yoga Download is an ideal choice for yoga newbies. The program offers a three-week-long beginner yoga program that's free with an unlimited yoga subscription (or you can purchase it separately). There are also a variety of yoga styles to choose from, which is another bonus, according to Perkins.

You can also find plenty of information on beginner yoga poses and tips on how to incorporate mindful movement into your lifestyle on their website.

The unlimited membership gets you thousands of videos and unlimited free downloads, which is perfect for those who want to practice outdoors where wireless internet isn't an option.

Want to get your yoga fix but can't afford a membership or subscription? Yoga With Adriene is a free YouTube channel that's definitely worth trying. This channel has hundreds of videos with tons of variety, including beginner- and advanced-level practices.

You can even scroll through curated playlists to find videos geared toward specific fitness goals or workout objectives, such as yoga for runners or yoga poses to relieve tight shoulders. This is a great option for those looking to develop specific skills, Perkins says.

And with 11.2 million subscribers, she's definitely a fan favorite.

For those who want a little more versatility with their workout subscriptions, consider NEOU. This online fitness studio offers a variety of classes, including a yoga program called "Breathe and Be," taught by J Elissa Marshall, a certified yoga instructor.

You can choose from different yoga classes within Marshall's program and mix them up with a Pilates or barre class (both of which are available on NEOU).

Plus, there's a free 30-day trial if you want to test things out before committing to a subscription.

Sky Ting has both live virtual classes and on-demand sessions you can stream whenever you want. Class schedules change daily with several different instructors teaching different levels and styles, including Ashtanga and Vinyasa. But much of Sky Ting's focus is on Katonah Yoga, which is a type of Hatha yoga developed by Nevine Michaan.

Live classes are held on Zoom and you can connect through your computer, phone or tablet. As mentioned above, the studio also has a handful of pre-recorded video collections you can also purchase online.

The collections offer plenty of variety, so you can find a class based on the difficulty level, like beginner, advanced and pre- and postnatal, and duration, such as 15- to 30-minute flows.

Not sure if you want to subscribe? Your 7-day free trial awaits!

If you're unable to experience the sweat-dripping, candle-lit yoga classes at Y7's studios, their online classes will transport you. Aside from its energizing Vinyasa flows, Y7 is probably best known for its unconventional music selection, including a whole lot of hip hop.

The studio adds new videos to its library each week, and each class flow has a custom, curated playlist, so you get the real Y7 experience right at home.

Looking to learn how to do a handstand or backbend? Alo Moves has you covered with their goal-specific yoga programs. Each program has several different videos you can try as you progress, which is important for ensuring skill development over time, according to Perkins.

The platform offers classes taught in different styles of yoga, including Ashtanga,Vinyasa and prenatal, and allows you to choose classes according to difficulty level, which can help you stay injury-free, Perkins says. Plus, you can find different fitness modalities, including HIIT, Pilates and strength training, to mix up your routine.

In case you weren't already aware, CorePower Yoga is known for serving up some pretty intense and sweaty sculpt classes. And now, you can bring that experience home with their on-demand workout classes.

Choose from the studio's ever-growing library, including both body-weight and dumbbell sculpt classes. And on rest days, you can try a meditation-focused flow.

There are tons of yoga styles, and choosing your favorite style is a big part of finding the perfect online class, according to Perkins. A little online research can give you a good idea of what each subscription or app offers. Perkins also recommends trying a few free online sessions to get a better sense of what you like and are looking for.

"There are a ton of free, high-quality yoga classes even just on YouTube," Perkins says. "It's smart to try out a few different styles to find the one that you really like."

When you're practicing without a live instructor, you want to find a class that's appropriate for your fitness level, according to Perkins. No matter your skill level, there's a higher risk of injury when you practice without the eyes of an instructor. But choosing an appropriate class can help prevent unwanted injuries.

"When in doubt choose a gentle, introductory, beginner-level class so that your body can adapt," she says.

Once you've nailed down your favorite type of yoga and personal fitness level, you want to find a program that allows you to progress. Unfortunately, that usually means there's some kind of upgrade fee or charge, Perkins says.

Generally, though, paid programs (as opposed to free online videos) are progressive and focus on improving your strength and balance over time. Often, paid programs also focus on honing specific poses or skills, like holding a handstand.

Just because a program is available for purchase, that doesn't mean it's developed by certified teachers, Perkins says. In order to practice safely and actually benefit from an online yoga class, you want to find one that's professionally certified.

Usually, a yoga platform or instructor labels their certification online in the program details. Do a little research to find out what the certification entails. There are different yoga certification programs out there, but generally, a 200-hour (or more) certification is a pretty good standard.