Editor’s note: Part 13 of USA TODAY’s Working Out From Home (#WOFH) series focuses on staying motivated while exercising at home. Join for Good Sports, our weekly newsletter that may bring you more home workout suggestions and the stories of excellent throughout the world of sports: 

For many who are latest to yoga, there are some advantages to trying it out from a livestream class while you’re stuck at home.

“The thing that’s really fun about it’s it takes away that feeling of self-consciousness that a beginner can have walking right into a yoga studio,” said Lisa Maria, National Workshop Director at Yogaworks, which is offering greater than 100 free livestream classes per day on multiple YouTube channels.

The corporate launched into the livestream space with eight classes on March 18 as some states initiated stay-at-home restrictions amid the worldwide pandemic. The variety of livestream classes quickly scaled up as staff put in extra hours to get the project going. In the primary couple of weeks, Yogaworks had 150,000 views, Maria said.

“We just felt it was super essential to get it on the market are soon as possible and provides people the flexibility to remain connected to their teachers, stay connected to one another and really maintain their yoga practice, which is so essential, in times like this,” Maria said. “Necessary on a regular basis, but especially now when there’s a lot uncertainty and stress.”

EXERCISE TIPS:Staying home? Stay lively! Here’s ideas to figuring out from home

MORE TIPS IN YOUR INBOX:Newsletter brings you exercise ideas and the *best* stories sports has to supply. Join!

In fact there are lots of free yoga classes online with nearly every variety of instructor you possibly can imagine. (Adriene Mishler is probably the most popular with greater than 6 million followers.)

For many who have not tried a yoga class before, Maria has some helpful suggestions.

Check out different kinds of yoga

“Have an open mind, a humorousness, and in the event you don’t just like the style that you are trying, try a unique one. Yoga has so many various practices; there’s something for everyone from slow and quiet to fast paced and vigorous and every thing in between.

“Our Vinyasa and flow classes are really popular in addition to our restorative classes because those are so great for quieting down. I do know people have a variety of stress immediately.”

The cool thing about having the videos stored on YouTube is which you could return and repeat an element of the category you liked. Classes generally range from 55 to 70 minutes. 

You do not need special equipment

For many who haven’t got a yoga mat, don’t fret. “Use whatever you’ve got,” Maria said, adding that a beach towel substitutes for a mat or simply use the ground. “Quite a lot of people don’t have yoga props at home. Typically in a category you may use yoga blocks or bolsters or straps or blankets.

“So in the event you’re at home practicing, use books or a step stool for blocks. Or use couch cushions or throw pillows for bolsters. And in your yoga strap, you should utilize a tie from a robe, you should utilize a shawl.”

Discover a quiet space at home

“To essentially get probably the most out of live classes, definitely find some privacy in the event you can,” Maria said. “Arrange your device ahead of time, in order that’s good to go.”

She adds that a teacher from considered one of her recent classes advisable a Spotify playlist of music to accompany the category. Making your house peaceful and cozy could possibly be so simple as lighting a candle.

“One other thing that was really fun – the teacher was chatting backwards and forwards; students were chatting within the comments. It was a extremely great technique to create community and interaction,” Maria said.

There’s something for everybody

“Anybody who loves yoga wants the people around them to try it,” Maria said. “And you might not give you the option to tug them to a category, but you possibly can definitely pull them into the kitchen or dining room, wherever you’re going to be practicing along along with your device, and say, ‘Hey do that with me for a number of minutes.’ So I’m sure there are people experiencing yoga for the primary time that way in addition to seasoned practitioners who are only on the lookout for a spot to attach.”