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Yoga at Home vs. Yoga Studio: Which is Better?

By Roberta Silverglate, California Business Journal

Thanks to the intense surge of technology and social media, the human desire to avoid physical contact seems to increase by the day. Almost every outdoor activity in San Francisco can be done solo without the need for physical interaction.

For those who are new to yoga and are debating between sessions at home or in-person sessions at a spa in San Francisco, the question of “which is better?” often arises. It’s also important to choose or follow someone who has completed yoga teacher training in San Francisco.

Ultimately, the choice of which is ideal depends on one’s individual preferences. There are a few factors that can help you decide. In this article, we’ll be outlining some of these factors to help you decide.

Factors to Help You Decide

Here are some of the factors to take into account when you’re trying to decide whether to break out of your comfort zone or remain in it:

Cost

Yoga spas will require a membership fee (or sometimes, periodic subscription fees ranging from $10 to $50 per session). Over time, these fees can accumulate and leave a dent in your wallet. The cost is mainly because the instructors there have completed SF YTT (San Francisco yoga teacher training).

If you have budgetary constraints or are trying to save some money, then opting for solo sessions at home is the best option.

You can find tons of free practice videos on YouTube. Even premium sites will offer you a few practice tutorials for free until you can afford their premium content.

Convenience and Flexibility

When you practice at home, you set the hours. You can tailor your practice times to suit your schedule.

Practicing alone also means you can pose for as long as you like and rewind the tutorial videos as often as you want until you get it right.

There’s no one to compare yourself to. No one to judge your rookie mistakes. You can fail as much as you want without the unnecessary self-consciousness that comes with trying out at yoga spas.

Access to Yoga Gear

You’re more likely to have access to yoga gear at a yoga spa than at home. Some of the gear costs a lot, and your spa charges you a lesser sum for a subscription.

When these props are available, you have the liberty to diversify your practice and try out new things.

Socialization

Unless you pay for private training, you’ll have to join in with the rest of the crowd. This means you’ll meet more people, make new friends, and have new experiences with these acquaintances.

The studio is a great place to meet people with similar interests. They can support your journey and help you get access to resources that can aid your growth.

Accountability

It’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination when you practice by yourself. There’s no one to hold you accountable on the days you don’t show up.

When you sign up for a spa, your instructor (and sometimes your practice mates) take up the duty of checking in on you when you begin to slack.

If you feel you have enough discipline to make yourself show up every day, then maybe a solo session won’t hurt at all.

Guidance

Not everyone can grow without guidance. If you’re one of those who can’t, then you need an actual instructor to show you the ropes.

The instructors in your tutorial videos can’t see you to correct what you’re doing wrong. They can’t help you strike the right pose.

A real-life instructor, on the other hand, can come up with customized training programs to suit your mode or pace of learning.

Wrapping Up

As mentioned earlier, it’s up to you to decide where and how you want to practice. Consider the necessary factors and choose the option that’s most convenient for you. Also, make sure that the instructor you choose has completed San Francisco yoga teacher training.