Pre-pandemic, heading out to a yoga class was something many of us did without a second thought; that regular Tuesday night Vinyasa Flow class, or the slow Sunday stretch to prepare us for the week ahead (or to recover from the weekend!) In the midst of 2020 and 2021 however, the health and fitness industry had to think quickly and make changes literally overnight to maintain any hope of staying afloat, and to continue serving the members and clients who were now more in need than ever of some de-stressing, mood-boosting, immune-strengthening movement. As we ease into 2022, yoga studios have re-opened with cleaner-than-ever protocols, whilst still maintaining online classes, so students can choose where and when to practice. To celebrate studios reopening and to give them all the support they need right now, we thought this would be the perfect time to remind ourselves of the profound value of studio classes. I reached out via social media to ask “What do you love about practicing at your local studio?” and the endless answers I received all revolved around these key points. Read on to rediscover the value of studio yoga classes!

Community

The answer I received most was simply the word community. Humans are literally designed to live in community, to work together and to be in the company of each other on a regular basis. Studies show that loneliness and isolation are incredibly detrimental to health, as these feelings put the body into a state of stress, and loneliness is now even considered a serious carcinogen. When we make it to a regular yoga class, we start to immerse ourselves in a community of like-minded people who are all on the same journey of self-discovery and mind-body wellbeing. Feeling a sense of community gives us a sense of belonging, which reduces the risk of mental health issues, lowers disease mortality, and contributes to better overall health, says the AHC (Alliance for Healthier Communities). Especially after being so disconnected for the last couple of years, our minds and nervous systems need a sense of community more than ever.

Connection

What does ‘connection’ feel like to you? When we’re moving in synchronicity with a yoga class and breathing in the same rhythm, the way we feel sends out a vibrational frequency that connects to those around us, affecting how they feel too. This process is known as ‘entrainment’. Think of it as the feeling of your mood and energy rising when you’re around people who have ‘good vibes’, versus feeling drained around people whose energy your gut doesn’t resonate with. When you move on your yoga mat in a class and feel more relaxed, you simultaneously help the whole room feel more relaxed. When the person on the mat next to you feels calmer, this helps you feel calmer too. Entrainment is a powerful force; studies carried out on heart cells show that when two different heart cells are placed into a petri dish, they will soon start beating in the same rhythm and maintaining that rhythm – they connect without even touching! Humans need this connection, just as birds fly together and mammals move in packs, we deeply need to sense others around us.

Me-Time

OK, so practicing yoga at home via zoom was a saviour in the beginning, but let’s be honest – when you’re practicing via zoom, are you really as present as you could be in class? So many people replied to my question of “what do you love about practicing at your local yoga studio?” by telling me it’s the only time they get to just be. Practicing at home often means children, animals or partners’ needs are put first, or that the constant interruptions of answering the door or phone fragment the practice and remove its healing benefits. When we’re practicing at home, it’s also easier to let the mind take over, and perhaps give up on postures we might otherwise have felt encouraged and supported to try in class, or to quickly check texts and emails when we should be relaxing in Savasana. Indeed, being in a yoga class is sometimes the only moment we’re able to escape the reflex to scroll through social media or answer emails, so make the most of this sanctuary!

Learning

One of the biggest benefits of being in a physical yoga class is that the teacher is right there in front of you, able to help and adjust postures if you’re open to it. It could be a tiny cue that helps us move deeper into a stretch with ease, or a physical assist that allows us to lift up into a balancing posture we’ve never experienced before. Beyond moving deeper and further however, being in a physical class essentially helps us practice in a safer environment, with experienced eyes watching out for common mistakes that could lead to injury. Your yoga teacher can help you move in a way that fully supports your body and what it needs in this moment, and if they can stand next to you in class, they’ll be able to help you maintain a sustainable practice with less potential for injury.

Human-ness

Finally, I found that something many people value is the pure human-ness of being in a yoga class. With more and more of life being spent on screens, in ‘virtual’ situations and totally disconnected from other people, being in a yoga class with real people and real teachers is something we can do to remind ourselves of the value of just being human. We interact with others less and less now due to self-checkouts, pay-at-pump services at garages, ordering shopping online instead of going to the supermarket, and even with phone calls to the doctors instead of face-to-face visits. In a world that needs more human-ness, and connection, supporting your local yoga studio is one of the most powerful things you can do to support the health of yourself, and support the wellbeing of the community around you.

Bonus! Yoga studios have the best props…..

Yoga studios invest a lot into ensuring their props are top-notch and squeaky clean. So if you’re fed up of using an old yoga mat, tea towel or pile of books as make-shift props, take a look at the Yogamatters props you might find in your local studio to enhance your practice:

• The Yogamatters cork brick is made from a renewable and recyclable source, ideal for adding lift or supporting yourself in postures. There are no toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing of these 100% natural bricks, making them perfect for the eco-conscious yogi.

• The Yogamatters organic cotton buckwheat bolster has an outer cover made from 100% organic cotton, and filled with natural buckwheat hulls. A yoga teacher favourite, you’ll find these bolsters in studios all over the world, and the removable, washable cover means the bolster will be super clean each time you use it.

• The classic Yogamatters belt is also found in classes far and wide, especially in Iyengar studios. The belts are regularly used in poses such as Paschimottanasana (forward bend) and Gomukhasana (cow face pose) to extend and lengthen reach, and made from 100% natural cotton.