Do you really need a yoga teacher?
Yoga has traditionally been practiced in ashrams and retreats, led by experienced teachers. The idea of having a guiding guru has remained prevalent throughout the history of the discipline, and of course, most of us who practice even modern, westernized styles of yoga gravitate towards led classes.
When there is such a wealth of class levels and yoga styles available, you could probably enrol in a different class every day – but how essential is a teacher-led class to your journey?
Like most yogis, I attend weekly classes on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, but I initially embraced yoga by practicing with Youtube videos.
There are so many yoga teachers available online through Youtube – some of the best include Sadie Nardini and Yoga with Adriene. For me, however, Tara Stiles is the true yogini online guru. A former dancer, Tara’s first yoga classes were held in Central Park, before she could even afford a studio! Tara now travels the world leading classes, and her centred and calm approach, together with her strength and flexibility, have inspired me, and shown me exactly how high it’s possible to soar.
Equally, since attending regular classes with a teacher I admire and engage with has also been an experience of growth and joy. So what is the best way to practice yoga? At home, at your own speed, with online guidance, or in a class, in a teacher-led environment?
Can online yoga substitute a yoga class?
Online/self-led yoga: the best bits
It’s possible to practice any time, in any location – on your lunch break, by the pool on holiday… The possibilities are as far-reaching as your imagination! For some, this can also offer better flexibility to fit into your schedule, meaning it’s easier to sustain the habit of yoga practice.
If you’re shy or self-conscious, self-led practice can be a real boost to your confidence, without the stress of a social situation to deal with. This was my initial reason for online practice, and after becoming comfortable with my own practice, this allowed me to feel confident attending a class.
You can pick and choose a flow or teacher, depending on you mood. If you feel like taking it slow, you simply choose a lower intensity tutorial. You are in total control of your practice.
It’s free! This one is difficult to knock. As long as you have an internet connection, and a device to connect to the internet, the only other tool you require is a yoga mat!
Teacher-led classes:the best bits
If you aren’t very disciplined, teacher-led practice can be more beneficial to maintaining a sustained commitment to your yoga journey.
Another great reason to book into a teacher-led class, is to have someone who can correct your form and posture. Before I attended a class regularly, my solution was to film my practice on my phone, and compare my form to online videos – but it’s a lot easier for your muscles to learn new poses and exercises when a teacher can correct you as you flow.
Although it can be wonderful to choose your own practice based on how you feel, some of my favourite yoga practices have been when I felt tired or stiff, and have attended a class that I would never have chosen. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to find yourself, and a teacher-led class is a wonderful environment to provide that.
Yoga is all about getting comfortable with yourself, and finding your own path. Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference how you choose to practice. My personal advice would be that if you don’t have the confidence, by all means choose to practice at home with online videos - I still do most days, but if you really want to achieve success in some more challenging poses, and see how far you can go, I highly recommend finding a yoga teacher who you click with.
Many things in life are a fine balance, and for yoga this is perhaps even more true, so why not try to mix and match your practice, and find the sweet spot that works for you.
Do you have a favourite class, or online yoga instructor? Let us know who has most inspired your yoga journey, and what you find the most helpful for your practice!
