Coronavirus has made it official: if we are to sustain yoga in our lives, we need to practice at home. Is this a very bad, lonely, isolating situation – or do we take control of our attitude and find the positive in this state of affairs? I’m going to vote for the latter, and I’m assuming that you are as well. This means taking a good hard look at how we practice at home, and then deciding how to use Internet offerings appropriately. Does this mean livestreaming classes, or joining a streaming service for pre-recorded offerings?

It’s always imperative to connect with teachers who can help one learn correct alignment. Livestream classes can be better for this, if the teacher is able to watch one’s form and make suggestions. Those who like supporting small business can smile, knowing that they are helping to keep a small studio alive. Conversely, cost may be a factor. Because livestream events generally follow the in-person model, individuals can expect to pay anywhere from ten to twenty dollars a session. It’s worth it if the teacher can keep you safe, and I recommend doing this at least once a month if at all possible.

How does a newcomer find livestream classes? Begin by searching to see what yoga studios are nearby and if they offer online sessions. From there, it’s usually a simple matter to sign up for a class and then attend it. You will probably need to download and become familiar with the Zoom app; once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to attend classes in real time.

Streaming services offer pre-recorded classes for a fraction of the livestream cost. At present, many offer a trial period of up to two weeks followed by unlimited classes, at respectively twenty and eighteen dollars a month. How does one find these services? Start by researching through the media that you already use. Yoga Journal, for example, offers classes, as does the Himalayan Institute. Alo Yoga and Yoga Glo are both corporate-style streaming services with well-developed programs. These are far from the only offerings out there; a web search will undoubtedly uncover others.

One has a plethora of choices when deciding on a streaming service. This may seem overwhelming, so start by perusing particular sites for information. Do you recognize the teachers? Do you see the style of yoga that you desire? Is there a variety of course lengths? Do you like the “vibe” that you get from the website? These are all indications of the experience you will have when taking a class at a particular site.

At some point, however, the only way to actually decide whether or not a streaming service is for you is to experience it. Choose one, start a free trial, and see if it meets your needs. If it does, great; if it doesn’t, end your relationship and find a new site.

As you become more experienced with asana, you’ll be able to develop personal routines that you can use in lieu of taking a class. This is a good idea for some of your personal practice, as it will force you to work with specific poses, modifying them if necessary for your own body. At the same time, however, its also important to keep connected to the yoga community at large, and so it becomes important to decide whether livestream of pre-recorded classes work best for you. Above all, keep practicing, and know that yoga is there for you even on the darkest days.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above. I pay for my online classes with my own funds.