How to Choose the Best Online Yoga Studio for Your Practice
In today’s world, online yoga classes are more accessible than ever, and there’s something really beautiful about that. You can practice from home, on your own schedule, with incredible teachers from around the world. But with so many options, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Like… how do you know which online yoga studio is right for you?
If you’ve ever spent more time searching for a class than actually taking one (hi, been there), this post is for you. Whether you're brand new to yoga or coming back to your mat after a break, I want to help you find a studio that truly supports your growth—not just physically, but energetically, emotionally, and spiritually. The kind of space that feels like coming home.
This guide will walk you through what to look for when choosing an online yoga platform—so you can find the one that actually supports your practice, your growth, and your heart. Whether you're a yoga beginner or a seasoned practitioner looking to go deeper, these tips will help you cut through the noise and find a space that feels like home. Let’s take the guesswork out of it, and walk through what really matters when choosing your online yoga studio.
✨ Looking for an all-in-one online yoga studio with guided programs, soulful flows, and real support?
Explore The Recipe here →
1. Start with your “why”
Before you start reading, take a breath (yes, right now) and ask yourself:
“Why am I practicing?”Maybe you want to build strength. Maybe you’re seeking stress-relief and calm. Maybe you’re working on that handstand you saw on Instagram that sparked inspiration + hunger for more. Maybe you’re not sure and you wants OPTIONS!
Whatever your reason, knowing your why helps you filter out what isn’t a fit. There’s no one-size-fits-all online yoga studio. Some studios offer stronger classes or “power” based vinyasa, some studios offer more gentle yin classes, some offer a variety of both. It’s important to check in with yourself and figure out what you’re needing. Knowing what you’re craving from your practice—whether it’s movement, mindfulness, or community—helps filter out the noise.
2. Look for a Teacher (or Teachers) You Vibe With
Yoga is so much more than movement—it’s energy. And your teacher’s energy matters. Do they make you feel safe? Seen? Empowered? Do they give alignment cues that make sense in your body? Does your body feel good after a session with them? I personally enjoy teachers who can take me on a journey, who give me options to take it up a notch or dial it back depending where I am that day physically or mentally. I like to learn a bit about the practice of yoga itself and enjoy when my teachers share philosophy or their dharma talk and how they use yoga to help them navigate day to day experiences. I also like to be challenged physically. These are some of my needs in a teacher! We’re all different but this can give you an idea of what to look for.
You deserve to feel guided and supported—not confused or left wondering if you’re even doing it right. The right teacher can make all the difference in your online yoga experience, especially when you're practicing solo at home.
Here are a few key things to look for when choosing your online yoga instructor:
Teaching Style & Energy: Pay attention to how the teacher shows up. Do they speak clearly and confidently? Do they hold a calming, grounded presence or an energizing, upbeat vibe? You want someone whose energy aligns with what you need on the mat.
Voice, Pace & Sequencing: This might sound minor, but it’s huge. A teacher’s voice, cueing style, and class flow can totally transform your practice. Look for someone whose pace feels accessible (not rushed), and whose sequencing helps you feel safe, strong, and successful—especially in an online setting.
Mindful Modifications & Anatomy Cues: Great online yoga teachers offer smart, inclusive options. Look for instructors who weave in modifications and the use of props, speak to how poses feel in your body, and guide you with thoughtful, functional anatomy.
Bonus: If they touch on mindset, breath-work, or offer reflections to carry off the mat? That’s a green flag. Yoga isn’t just physical—it’s an entire system designed to help you lead a purposeful life… but thats for another post.
✨ Want to try a class with that kind of support built in? Explore The Recipe, my online yoga studio, and feel it for yourself.
3. Class Variety & Structure
One of the biggest benefits of practicing yoga at home is flexibility—not just in your hamstrings, but in how you’re able to show up each day. A good online yoga studio honors the ebb and flow of being human.
Variety is the spice of life—and your practice. Here’s what to look for when it comes to class variety:
Quick, Under 30-Minute Yoga Flows for Busy Days: Because sometimes, all you’ve got is a coffee break and a mat. Look for bite-sized classes that help you reset, reconnect, and squeeze in movement when life is full.
A Range of Styles to Match Your Mood (or Your Moon Phase): From energizing vinyasa to slow-flow, restorative yoga, and calming breathwork—your studio should offer choices. Especially for those of us who like to move with our cycle or the moon, having strength-building options in some phases and more grounding practices in others can make your practice feel aligned with your body.
Longer, Deep-Dive Sessions for When You’re Ready to Spice it Up or Learn More: On the days when you’ve got time and intention, you want full length classes that take you deep—whether it's working toward a peak pose, exploring breath and movement in sync, or simply floating into stillness + bliss.
Restorative & Gentle Yoga for Low-Energy Days: For the evenings when you feel like a sleepy puddle on the floor (no shame), your studio should have soft, nurturing options to hold you—no pushing required.
Structured Programs & Challenges to Help You Progress: Look for progressive content that actually helps you grow in your practice. Whether it’s a 7-day series, a strength-focused path, or an inversion journey (like my Forearm Stand Program), this kind of structure can offer both momentum and motivation.
Bonus Points for Smart Organization: If a studio organizes classes by theme, intention, energy level, or even body part—bless them. It means less time scrolling and more time flowing. Because nothing kills motivation like endless options and zero direction.
💡 Pro tip: The best online yoga platforms meet you where you are—whether you're riding high or laying low—and guide you without judgment.
4. Accessibility & Tech Experience
You could have the most magical yoga classes in the world—but if the platform makes you want to throw your phone across the room, it’s not going to work. (And that’s definitely not what we mean by building strength haha.)
The ease of using your online yoga studio matters more than you might think. If it’s seamless and simple, you’ll be way more likely to roll out your mat regularly. So ask yourself:
Is the platform easy to navigate?
Can you find the classes you need without digging through menus or guessing what the titles mean? A clear, intuitive layout makes a huge difference when you’re picking a studio.Can you stream yoga classes on all your devices?
Whether you’re using your phone, laptop, tablet, or smart TV, flexibility is key. Bonus points if the video adapts well to different screen sizes so you’re not squinting through Warrior II.What’s the video and audio quality like?
Clear video and clean audio make the experience feel professional and immersive. You shouldn’t be struggling to hear cues or watching grainy footage from 2013. High-quality content = higher chance you’ll stick with it for the long run.
✨ When it’s easy to show up, you actually will. Choose an online yoga platform that feels effortless to use—so your energy goes toward your practice, not fighting the tech.
5. Connection still matters, even online
Just because you’re practicing yoga at home doesn’t mean you should feel alone on the journey.
One of the most underrated parts of choosing the right online yoga studio is finding a teacher who’s actually there—someone who sees you, supports you, and makes you feel like you’re not just a username on a screen.
Here’s what to look for:
Real support from your teacher: Do you have a way to ask questions? Get feedback? Share how a class felt? Whether it’s through email, DMs, or private group access, being able to reach out (and actually hear back!) creates trust and accountability.
A teacher who walks with you, not ahead of you: Look for someone who guides with encouragement, not ego. Who offers gentle reminders that it’s okay to wobble, modify, or pause. Someone who teaches from experience, not just a script.
Bonus if it feels like a two-way relationship: You don’t need thousands of people in a virtual forum to feel connected—you just need a teacher who shows up consistently, offers intentional classes, and genuinely wants to support your practice.
🧡 At the end of the day, we all just want to feel seen. And the right online yoga space makes you feel exactly that.
6. Affordability & Membership Options That feel good
Let’s be real: we want our yoga practice to feel expansive, not expensive. One of the most important (but often overlooked) pieces of choosing the right online yoga studio is making sure the cost fits your budget and your lifestyle.
Here’s what to consider when it comes to pricing and flexibility:
What’s the monthly cost, and does it reflect the value?
Look for pricing that feels fair for what you’re receiving. Are you getting access to a wide range of classes? Guided programs? Personalized support? A membership should feel like a loving investment in yourself—not a financial strain.Does the value go beyond the price?
For example: at $35/month (or $333/year), The Recipe costs about the same as a single in-person yoga class in many cities. But instead of one hour in the studio, you get unlimited access to a full library of on-demand classes, signature programs like the Forearm Stand Journey + Handstand Conditioning, and direct access to me for guidance and support. It's like having a whole yoga studio (and a personal cheerleader) in your pocket, whenever you need it. Even if the Recipe isn’t for you, you can use this comparison to make an informed decision!Is it easy to cancel or pause your membership?
Life happens—travel, transitions, unexpected plot twists. You deserve a studio that honors that. Look for transparent policies around cancellation, pausing your membership, or switching plans. Flexibility shows they’re focused on your long-term practice, not just locking you in.
💫 The best online yoga memberships are the ones that feel light, supportive, and aligned—like a yes in your body and your bank account.
7. Bonus: Trust Your Intuition
There’s only so much a website—or a blog post—can tell you. The real magic happens when you try a class and feel it for yourself.
Does the teacher’s energy land in your heart?
Do the classes leave you feeling more grounded, inspired, or simply more like you?
Does your body feel seen, safe, and supported?
Are you learning + Growing?
A great online yoga studio isn’t just about having the most content or the fanciest branding. It’s about how it makes you feel—on the mat and beyond.
✨ The best yoga space isn’t always the trendiest—it’s the one that helps you come home to yourself.
So yes, compare pricing, look at the platform, read the reviews. But at the end of the day, trust your gut. Your body always knows.
Ready to Find Your Online Yoga Home?
If this post spoke to something inside you—whether it was a “yes, I’ve been looking for this” or just a quiet pull toward something more consistent and nourishing in your practice—then I’d love to invite you to explore The Recipe.
It’s my online yoga studio, created with a whole lot of love and intention, designed for real life and real bodies. Inside, you’ll find:
A library of on-demand classes from quick flows to deep dives
Signature programs like the Forearm Stand Journey + Move Like Water to help you build strength and confidence
A range of styles including power, vinyasa, restorative, breath-work & more
Classes organized by style, intensity, and time—so you never have to guess
Most importantly: support from me whenever you need it
Whether you're working toward a forearm stand or just craving more consistency in your practice, The Recipe is here to help you stay grounded, grow strong, and feel held—on and off the mat.
👉 Explore The Recipe Here and see if it feels like home.
No pressure. Just presence.
Xx Jess
Your recipe for strength, flexibility, breath + inner connection. Get anytime access to our growing collection of over 100 classes, ALL programs, and exclusive content. Yoga, meditation, strength + more.
What’s Inside The Recipe? Press Play to Peek Inside
Get a behind-the-scenes look at The Recipe, my all-access online yoga studio designed to help you build strength, flexibility, and confidence—anytime, anywhere.
Inside your membership, you’ll find:
🧘♀️ 100+ hours of on-demand yoga classes for all levels
🧘 Guided breath-work and meditation to support your mind + body
💪 Full programs including handstand training, strength and more
🔁 New content added regularly to keep your practice fresh
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