An Online Yoga World Tour

Apr 22, 2020

It’s now over a month since I last taught or practiced yoga in a group class settings. I miss my favourite studios so much but I’m so grateful for all the (free and paid for) online offerings right now, and that the technology is good enough to support them and make all of our lives a little easier in lockdown. 

Despite my yoga studio now being my living room (the coffee table has been usurped by my yoga mat), I realised a couple of weeks ago that i could travel the world from my mat and take classes at studios that I’ve visited on my travels, or ones that I planned to visit in the next couple of years. I really hope that all these studios are still running post-coronavirus but, for now, supporting them online and bringing their classes to my apartment is the next best option to being able to roll out my mat in real life… 

Bali

Radiantly Alive – my favourite yoga studio in Ubud while doing my yoga teacher training. I loved practicing in this beautiful and peaceful spot, just off of the (then) hectic streets of Central Ubud. The classes are tough but the teachers (drawn to the studio from all over the world) are fantastic.
A drop-in class is US$5 for a 60-minute class (a recording of which is available for 24 hours if you miss it or if the timezone isn’t right), booking here

NYC

I had plans to visit NYC this summer but, for now, the yoga studios I was due to frequent are coming to me…

Dharma Yoga Center – the founder, Sri Dharma Mirtra, is over 80 years old and has so much energy, vitality and grace. I discovered his teachings through my yoga teacher in Dubai and love the mix of playful asana, breath work and guided meditation. 
A drop-in class is US$22, booking here.

Strala Yoga – Tara Stiles’ NYC studio was top on my list of places to visit on my 2016 trip to NYC (I mean, top of my list under martini bars…those were different times!). There are a range of pre-recorded classes and series (currently 50% off) and Tara herself is currently offering free daily live classes on Instagram(@tarastiles) daily at 8am ET.
A one-hour filmed class (which is yours to keep once paid for) is US$15, options are here

Austin, TX

Practice Yoga Austin – this studio has been on my radar for a lonnnng time due to it being Yoga With Adriene’s home studio (and due to long-harboured dreams of one day attending SXSW…). The are offering daily free flows on their Facebook page and paid-for group classes.
Classes are donation based (suggested US$10-20) and the schedule is here.

Dubai

For my home city I have some specific classes to recommend rather than studios….

Sara Otto is the only Dharma yoga teacher in Dubai. I love her Dharma classes and level 2-3 vinyasa classes – I didn’t think it was possible to work so hard in my own living room until I took one last weekend! I’m so grateful to Sara for sharing her teachings and inspiring me on my yoga journey. 
Booking here, a drop-in class is AED40-55.

Nikki Meyler teaches with so much joy and humour, her super warm personality really shines through my laptop screen and almost makes me feel like she’s teleported to my living room. Her Saturday strength flow is always filled with a lovely group of yogis and accompanied by an energising playlist.
Booking here, a drop-in class is AED50. 

Joanne Smallwood is the queen of chill! Her vinyasa classes are awesome for their creative sequencing but I really love her restorative classes. She offers offering the perfect mix between yogic spirituality and acknowledging that we are all real people, sometimes in stiff bodies as a result of modern life. Her upcoming home retreat sounds dreamy! 
Booking via Zoga, a drop-in class is AED45. 

Nitai Krishna teaches my “treat” class – Hatha flexibility flow. While I know I should be working on upper body strength and inversions, I love stretching out, testing my flexibility and deepening my beloved backbends. This class is a fun challenge for all levels of flexibility, and savasana is often accompanied by Nitai’s harmonium. 
DM @nitaiyoga for schedule and pricing. 

London

Heartcore has some of the best online offerings I’ve found (both the paid classes on Zoom and free sessions on Instagram Stories have been excellent). The power yoga classes are fun and high energy and I love their dynamic mat pilates to complement my yoga practice.
A drop-in class is £5, bookings and schedule here.

What classes have you been practicing from home? Any more I should add to my yoga world tour?

Check out my last post – tips for practicing and teaching online if you’re new to all this! 

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studying with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition IIN