For many, yoga is a sanctuary. It's a haven of soft mats, slow stretches, a low-impact form of exercise that can tackle anything from lack of flexibility to those persistent aches and pains that come from sitting at a desk. More than anything, yoga's focus on breathing and slow, deliberate movements makes for a form of headspace and relaxation for those who find it hard to switch off. If you were yearning for your favourite studio during lockdown, you may have discovered the abundance of at-home yoga videos on offer.
There are a multitude of pay-per-view classes available online, but we're all for a bit frugality, and there are a lot of freebie stores of yoga gold to be tapped into on the web too. That said, typing 'yoga' into YouTube's search bar can be a bit baffling. Speaking from experience, it takes a good long while to find a teacher that you like. Read on for an edit of the best in the business, and yoga routines that will keep you sane, calm, and bendy.
First up? Our top pick, Helen Maria Faliveno...
Helen Maria Faliveno
Hailing from London (you can find her at @hmfyoga on Instagram) Helen offers up anything from 30 minute stretches to savasana self-scans. You can even see how she's spending her day working from home as a yoga teacher this month here. In addition to the videos already on her YouTube channel, Helen is leading a new class a day for free via her Instagram (these will be uploaded to her YouTube channel afterwards). We'll be tuning in.
Fable Yoga
The Month of Mindful Movement is a free yoga series for January 2022 that has been created to help you start the New Year off with intention.
Yoga Dose - Tim
Tim's Vinyasa Flow class is intense. Prepare to feel the burn in your arms!
Yoga With Adriene
Adriene is one of YouTube's most famed yoga instructors. Try her 30 days of yoga challenge to kick things off.
Yoga By Candace
Another member of online yoga royalty, Candace serves up A grade routines, and there's a wealth of them to choose from. Tight hip flexors? This one's for you.
Five Parks Yoga
Erin from Five Parks Yoga films most of her videos in her garden, occasionally with a bit of musical accompaniment.
Fightmaster Yoga
For feel-good classes led by Lesley Fightmaster and lots of hour long options, this is a great channel to tune into if you want to work hard. The below option is an all-round hour long revitalising routine that you'll want to bookmark.
The Yoga Room - Yoga for Bigger Bodies
The Yoga Room has a series of videos for bigger bodies for those who are new to yoga or less flexible. The videos - which are warm and accommodating - feature modifications that feel accessible and genuinely achievable. Once you're done with the Gentle Yoga video, you can progress to Moderate yoga, too.
Wheel Power, Sitting Fit Yoga - Yoga for Wheelchair Users
For wheelchair users, nurturing the upper body is paramount. Nina Boswell Brown, from Sitting Fit Yoga, talks you through exercises from the head to the hips. Sitting yoga is also a good option for those who might have a temporary lower body injury.
READ MORE: 6 New Healthy Habits You'll Actually Want To Stick To In 2022
Main image credit: sexandthecity