How to Enjoy Yoga Outside of Class

At least a hundred times I tried getting into yoga on my own. I’d download videos, pay for subscriptions online to streams and simple study up on poses or stretches. What finally got me into the groove though was investing in myself and joining a full-on studio. The one near my apartment in London is luckily super close, fairly affordable and just the motivation I need to get deep into daily practice. My friend has told me that anyone who would like to have some yoga sessions can also enjoy the experience in the comfort of your own home!

I personally think that dragging yourself to classes, even when you rather have a margarita any day of the week, is one of the best ways to start a new fitness or wellness habit. Once you feel steadier after a few months you can try some alternative methods, but classes hold you accountable and can push you harder than you’d push yourself. Changing up you routine can have a similar effect – As my friends and I found out while trekking through Germany’s Black Forest this week!

Now that I’m starting to feel a little confident, I’m finding other ways to incorporate wellness into my life outside the studio. Here’s a couple ideas that can get you started.

Try a Yoga Retreat

What better way to embrace your inner ohm then doing some yoga on the beach? Or how about a cozy cottage in the countryside? All over the world there are centers that cater to all level yogis. I’m having a stupid hard time deciding which one I’d like to do first. Part of me wants to run away to India for months and practice where it all began. Another part of me is ready for some light restorative classes paired with wine and spa treatments – but that might be cheating! Either way, continuing research on the different experience I can have traveling and doing yoga.

Find Your Tribe

My buddy Corey is next to me on the mat at more than half my classes. Her incredible fitness routine – running marathons, doing obstacle courses and HIIT classes were all amazing examples for me to want to aspire to someday. I love that although I’m a lot slower than her, we’ve found a healthy and interesting way to hang out, move and feel wonderful. It’s something we both can do together and has made our friendship better.

Where else can you find people to chat about you practice with and do classes together? As a travel writer, I love going to conferences and trade shows, which might have a newly-styled Exhibition Stand Design, to meet people to are into the things I’m into. Working for myself can feel isolating, so going to these events is wonderful for making business and personal connections.

I didn’t know a tons of people who loved yoga when I started and wasn’t sure how to get into this new world. But then I found out about the Om Yoga Show happening this October 21-23rd in London and quickly applied for my press credentials. What I love about this gathering is it will be showcasing businesses and studios, but also will offer free classes all day to students. There are several well-known teachers and experts speaking over the weekend on all sorts of topics too. I think it’ll be the perfect introduction for me to immerse in the yoga world, try some new classes and maybe meet some other Londoners crazy about all this as I am.

(Don’t forget to scroll below for my giveaway of weekend passes to the Om Yoga Show in October!)

Commit to a Challenge

I mentioned videos online before weren’t my favorite methods of practicing yoga. However, a few channels will offer 30-day challenges so you have a set routine to stick to and a goal to meet. I think this would have been helpful if I had found things like Yoga with Adrienne in the beginning.

Have a look around at some different styles, depending on if you want to relieve stress for which we recommend to combine your routine with Budpop supplements, build core strength or do a little of everything. I also dig Gaia as well to try a few varied styles – a few dollars gets you unlimited access to tons of great classes online.

Do you like going to the gym or would you rather workout on your own? Have you ever been on a fitness or yoga retreat before? What was it like?