{Thank you to The Yoga Collective for sponsoring this post by providing an annual membership for myself and 2 of my readers.}
Yoga
That word seems to bring up something different in everyone's mind.
Several years ago, before I tried yoga, I thought of it as kind of weird and CERTAINLY not intense enough to qualify as a "Workout" (capital W is intentional). It wasn't until a very good friend encouraged me to try her favorite class with her that I started to get it.
I find many people try yoga having a similar story --- I wasn't so sure but I went with a friend/spouse/family member and enjoyed it --- Then, after you get over the short learning curve, your body starts to feel better, you get stronger and you really enjoy the practice of yoga.
Since adding a regular yoga class to my life, my body feels so much better. I especially feel it when I'm running. Yoga keeps me limber and strong. It helps prevent injury too.
But perhaps one of my favorite things about yoga is that it truly is a practice. Just like any other component of healthy living, you practice what you want to be better at, more natural.
Yoga emphasizes that everyone comes in with different desires, bodies, and abilities. No one is competing with you. You focus on your own body and honor it. I love that. I wish we were more readily encouraged to honor our bodies in other areas of life too.
If you've never tried yoga before because you're intimidated, scared, don't think it's worth it or don't know where to go, I encourage you today to put those negative thoughts behind you and just try it! Just try it.
See if it can help with those aches and pains. See if makes you stronger mentally and physically. See if it quiets your mind from the business of life.
Just try it.
My favorite yoga class meets on Saturday mornings. I'd say me and Coach (yes we go together and I LOVE that) make it there an average of 2 out of 4 weeks in a month. I wish I could fit in at least 2 classes a week, but that's just not a reality these days.
I've tried some other options for practicing yoga at home - DVDs and YouTube videos mostly. But both of these options left me wanting. I missed the atmosphere of a class or got bored with the same workout.
I needed something better.
Fortunately, the folks at The Yoga Collective recently contacted me about reviewing their online yoga classes for Make Healthy Easy. I was very excited to jump on this opportunity not just for my situation but also to give you all a suggestion for online yoga classes that could benefit you.
Let me also encourage you to check out having the right equipment, which you don't need much. A good yoga mat is really crucial for your practice. I am on my 3rd yoga mat because I just keep getting thicker ones. I have found that my bony knees need lots of cushion in order to be comfortable for poses like pigeon or mermaid (at least my attempt at mermaid). I really like this ½" thick mat from Amazon.
So here is my review...
The Yoga Collective Online Yoga Classes Review
Who are They?
The Yoga Collective is real life studio in Venice Beach, CA. They have a wide variety of teachers, which they claim, are the best of LA. They shoot all of their videos in house and they are REALLY well done. The environment is soothing and inviting. Everything is clear and easy to follow. It makes me want to visit the real location BADLY.
One cool aspect about them is that they give 50% of their profits to a variety of really wonderful charities. I have a lot of respect for companies that do that.
Ease
The website is really simple and easy to navigate. There is no searching around for where to log in and where to find classes. I like this because you get started on a class quickly.
Variety of Classes
I wasn't sure what to expect about this service as far as number and variety of classes offered. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised. The have over 100 classes offered through this online service!! The best part is that they have many different instructors teaching many different levels, styles and lengths of classes. You an easily search for the duration, level, teacher, style or focus that you want.
There are 10 min to 60 minute class offerings with cool focuses like core, meditation, power, basics, hip opener (yes please runner!) and so many more.
So far, I have tried the Surfing the Waves class and the Morning Wake Up Flow. Both of these were 30 minutes classes. Since I tried taking these classes in the afternoon with Team Braddock involved, I didn't want to push the time limit. You can see that the boys were very interested. Jackson even tried a few poses and I look forward to maybe actually doing a whole class together one day.
I cannot wait to try some of the longer classes like the Hip Opening Flow and Forearm Balance Prep
Price
This is some good news. Have any of you priced a good yoga studio lately? It's EXPENSIVE, at least for my budget. And let's not forget about my boys and how getting anywhere with them is sometimes a little nuts! So for $12/month or $130 a year (paid up front) you can enjoy all these classes and take them with you anywhere. But don't worry! They offer a free 15 day trial to see if you like it.
I think it's worth it if you plan to use it even just once a week. Most yoga studios cost at minimum $10/class, and more if you add in child care. It also makes a great gift for someone who loves yoga or wants to try it but is intimidated to go a to a gym or studio.
But Don't Just Take My Word For It
Last week I was able to give away a one year subscription to The Yoga Collective to one of my email subscribers (word to the wise: sign up for my email updates by clicking the Smoothie Guide icon at the top right). The only requirement was that they try a couple of classes and give some honest feedback.
Congrats to Julie for winning the prize and her awesome feedback. Here's what she thought of the first couple of classes she tried:
I have been all over The Yoga Collective website. I've taken two classes and I really, REALLY enjoy it!
So far, I've taken Core Power Flow with Kyle Miller & Light It Up: Core Class with Mary Beth LaRue.
As you may be able to tell, I am all about the abs right now, beach season is just ahead! I enjoyed both classes, but I preferred Mary Beth's class because it was more challenging. I would most likely utilize both classes in my repertoire of workouts, using Mary Beth's on an active day and Kyle's on a rest day.
I was never aware of the untapped power of Restorative yoga. I watched a few sessions and will definitely utilize these classes after a rough day. I will certainly be doing Relax & Restore with Lauren Eckstrom. She noted that most of the Restorative classes are offered at the studio on Friday evenings, which, I believe is brilliant! After a stressful work/school week, what more could you ask for? Thirty minutes of decompressing to prepare for a relaxing weekend.
This is one of the nicest prizes I have received. I will be using these classes quite often. At my neighborhood gym, there is not a wide variety of yoga instruction available, and the yoga studios around town do not fit my schedule as nicely as I would like. With this service, I can customize what I want to do, when I want to do it and have a large selection to choose from.
With the warmer weather approaching, I intend to take my mat and tablet outside to experience these classes with the sun shining overhead.
Thank you Julie for your awesome review!
Also take a look at these At-Home Workout Ideas and The Benefits of Squats for Women.
Namaste!
Jenna
