While the pandemic laid waste to a lot of our tried-and-tested fitness routines, there was one pursuit that really came into its own online.

Aside from Joe Wicks jumping around while dressed as Harry Potter, it was yoga that thrived in the Zoom room, with many studios moving their class schedules online to meet demand. With cheaper memberships on offer, coupled with the fact that many people felt more comfortable practising in the comfort of their own homes, this digital revolution was seen by many as a step in the right direction for the yoga industry. And that’s still the case today.

Between the drive for online classes, soaring rents and the mass exodus of young professionals from many of the UK’s major cities, it’s no wonder that the yoga industry has struggled to recover. For those who relied on their studios as places of community and sanctuary in such an uncertain world, these closures came as a massive blow.

Thankfully though, a balance is being struck. New studios are popping up out of the ashes with a real focus on trying to attract new members that may have moved their practice online. 

If you’ve grown used to your daily home flow, you might be wondering why on earth you’d spend more to leave your living room. But there are big benefits to practising yoga at your local studio, as we’ve been finding out…

“I think that feeling of going somewhere new or starting something new can be the scariest thing in the world,” says Calli Popham, senior yoga teacher and co-founder of Hove studio Flow State. “But the right studio with the right ethos will always make you feel welcome.

“It’s not and should never be about what you’re wearing, or how ‘good’ you are at yoga. Find somewhere that makes you feel relaxed when you walk in the door and welcomes you with open arms and know that every single person in that room was just a beginner once too.

“It sounds obvious, but always look for a location that works for you. It should feel relatively easy to get to the studio – perhaps it’s on the journey home or just a short walk from your house. If it feels like a chore, it will be easy for your brain to talk you out of going, especially in the colder months. 

“Also, the classes and teachers need to be ones that you enjoy and resonate with. Movement should be pleasurable and fun and something you look forward to, not a chore. Do some research; read testimonials online. Find somewhere that has the right ethos and makes you feel welcome and celebrated.” 

“The fundamental difference between practising online or in a studio is human connection,” says Popham. 

“Being in a room full of people who are all moving together amplifies your practise and brings a deeper sense of presence. You’re there, and committed for the length of that class. You’re all in it together, moving, breathing, giggling, sighing – that is the magic!”

While practising online is brilliant for those of us short on time, for example, it can be hard to stay focused. The dishwasher might go off mid-downward dog, or your housemate might start chatting to you before the end of savasana. 

Even if you love online classes, it’s always a good idea to mix things up and a lot of yoga teachers these days teach both virtual and in-person classes.

“Having an online practice helps on those busier days when you only have half an hour to move or on a day when you simply want to hunker down and be in the warmth and comfort of your own home,” Popham admits.

“Online also gives you the opportunity to practise with and try teachers from across the globe as opposed to your own postcode.”

In-person classes, however, allow you to get to know specific teachers who can help with subtle hands-on assistance that “can also absolutely transform your experience”, she continues. “Now we have choice, we can choose a mixture of the two to fit in with our own routine and find the balance and best of both.” 

Not everyone wants to join a running club, feels comfortable with striking up a convo at the gym water machine or knows people who want to work out like them. But yoga studios offer a ready-built community that prides itself on inclusivity.

“The community, connection and sense of belonging you can gain from joining a good yoga studio is something that you can’t get online – not in the same way,” Popham says.

“When you feel part of something bigger, when you feel welcomed and almost like part of a family, you want to go there and spend time there. You want to practise more regularly; this then has a direct impact on your wellbeing and practice as you are moving regularly and feeling happier.

“I think the true benefit of practising in a studio distils down to being part of something – community is a lifeline in this busy modern world. Nothing can replace real-life human connection and riding on the collective energy of a room full of like-minded people.”

Images: Getty