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When the pandemic hit and local yoga studios closed their doors here in the Boston area, like many others, my yoga practice shifted to my living room.
Whether I was following Yoga with Adriene on YouTube or rolling out my mat with the Peloton app, I embraced the home practice I’d never imagined enjoying so much.
Attending classes in a beautifully designed studio is undeniably a magical experience. I still cherish memories of packed classes at Samadhi Yoga in Sydney and Lotusland Yoga in San Francisco, where the smell of incense, soul-soothing music, and the promise of chai tea created an atmosphere impossible not to fall in love with.
Fast forward to today…
Five years after that global shift, I’m hearing local friends buzz about returning to yoga—at gyms, Pilates studios, or newly opened yoga spaces. Naturally, I’ve tagged along to a few classes and even tried my first sound bath, which was quite an experience that had the opposite effect for me! But something surprising happened in these conversations.
I found myself hesitating to answer when people casually asked, “Which studio do you go to?” Admitting to practicing at home felt somehow embarrassing, like admitting to being a “fake yogi” or taking a shortcut.
How strange is that?
The Unexpected Joy of Home Practice.
After exploring both worlds again, I’ve come to fully embrace the beauty of my home practice.
What began as a pandemic necessity has evolved into a genuine preference that brings unexpected joy and a deeper connection to myself. When I shared these thoughts on social media, I discovered I wasn’t alone in my experience.
Fellow yogis responded with their own reflections on home practice, validating that many of us have found unexpected depth and authenticity away from the studio environment. I’ve included some of their insights throughout this article.
There’s something uniquely intimate about unrolling my mat in the living room of my home. No performative aspect, no comparing myself to others, just me showing up exactly as I am—often in pajamas, using a basket full of props to make my own modifications, and overlooking my backyard with glimpses of the changing seasons.
“I’ve been wondering why I don’t wish to rush to the studio…am feeling called to the mat—maybe it’s the ego that has dropped away…?”
~ SL
Why do we Feel “Less Than” about Home Practice?
This reluctance to proudly claim an at-home practice reveals something interesting about how we’ve come to view “legitimate” yoga. There seems to be an unspoken hierarchy, with studio practice at the top.
Perhaps it’s the absence of a teacher’s watchful eye ensuring proper alignment, the missing community energy, or even the lack of financial investment that somehow signals less commitment. Whatever the reason this hierarchy exists, it’s only in our minds.
As one yoga friend, Aneta, beautifully shared with me:
“My practice has evolved so much from our Samadhi days…more home…less studio…It’s slower, less eager, less gymnastics, more soul, more adaptability, more at peace with my body, less competition with myself, more attunement with my breath and what my heart needs.”
Four Unique Benefits of Practicing at Home.
The truth is, practicing yoga at home is no less valid than rolling out your mat at a studio. In fact, it offers unique advantages:
>> Ultimate Flexibility: yoga at home means practicing anytime, anywhere, and even in your pajamas if that’s what feels right. I can pick the instructor, style, and duration that fits my mood—pure freedom!
>> Zero Barriers: my living room is always open. There’s no need to drive, find parking, or stress about being late. The mat is there, waiting, with no obstacles between me and my practice.
>> Endless Variety: between Peloton and YouTube, I have access to countless instructors and diverse styles. Whether it’s energizing Vinyasa or a calming Restorative session, the choices are endless. My own made-up practice is always available, as well.
>> True Personalization: my home practice adapts to me—not the other way around. Nursing a shoulder injury? I adjust the poses. Low energy? I opt for gentle flow. Busy day? A quick ten-minute session is perfectly acceptable.
“I also love taking live classes online from home. I have all of the props I need, and as a ‘treat,’ I have a heating pad that I lie on during savasana. It feels so decadent. Sometimes I just turn on a playlist I love and ‘do my own thing.’” ~ NM
Coming Home to your Practice.
When I step back into my home practice after trying out a studio class, I feel like I’m coming home—both physically and spiritually. My yoga practice isn’t defined by where I practice but by how it makes me feel.
The pandemic forced many of us to bring our yoga home, and in doing so, we discovered something profound: yoga isn’t about the space, the teacher, or even the community (though these can be wonderful). It’s about the connection we cultivate with ourselves.
“When people ask me, ‘Do you still do yoga?’ I’m not sure I understand that question… It’s probably more to do with…do I live through yoga? And of course I do—the best way I know how.” ~ AS
So to all the yogis out there—whether you practice at home, in a studio, or outdoors in a park—your yoga is valid. There’s no right or wrong way, just what works for you. Your path is your own, and the true essence of yoga exists wherever you unroll your mat with intention and presence.
~
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