10 things I learned from completing 150 Peloton Yoga workouts
Until this year, I’d done less than two handfuls of yoga classes in my lifetime. I remember attending a yogi’s house with a sprawling, fantastical garden, and cramping into a tiny living room with a dozen other participants. I remember gym sessions where me and a large group of others tried to perfect our postures and balance against the backdrop of heavy bass pulsating the walls from the weightlifting area on the other side. I also had a brief stint — two whole classes of Bikram or hot yoga — where I found myself sweating like I never had before. With lockdown firmly in place, I decided to try Peloton’s on-demand yoga.
10. There are a ton of fantastic class options to choose from, no matter your level
I was a bit nervous kicking off yoga at home, without an instructor to give live instructions or check and correct my form. But I quickly realized that the instructors give a ton of guidance, and you can easily adjust class options to your level, whether it be basic, intermediate or — for the bravest among us — advanced. If you’re new to yoga, I definitely recommend their ‘basics’ series, which teaches you how to properly do some regularly recurring moves, from Downward Dog, Cobra and Pigeon, to the one we all look forward to at the end of class — Savasana.
The class lengths are flexible to your schedule as well — everything from a fast 10 minutes, to a lengthy 75 minutes.
Classes can be tailored to your mood as well as skill level. Class types are fairly self-explanatory — Flow and its more relaxed counterpart where you get deeper into the moves, Slow Flow; Power for that energy-filled active type of class. Yoga Anywhere, which is tailored for people who want to work out in unconventional places, perhaps without access to a mat or blocks. Focus flow, where you can target an area of the body — for example, core, hips or arms. Family — ideal for doing with your kids, and Pre/PostNatal which help you to safely do a variety of moves. There are even chair and standing yoga options, which can be great regardless of your mobility, and restorative yoga which is pure relaxing bliss. Select from theme- and music-genre specific classes as well! Definitely something for everyone here!
9. All of the instructors are great in their own way
When I first started, Aditi Shah was my introduction to Peloton Yoga. And don’t get me wrong, she’s fantastic and clearly heads up the Peloton Yoga program for a reason — but as I expanded my repertoire I quickly learned that you can’t go wrong no matter the instructor you choose, depending on your mood/preference at the time.
Each instructor is known for their personal style, but you can definitely tell they adhere to the same general class structure and some core movements — particularly telling in the way they instruct sun salutations (some people are critical of the apparently aggressive approach to Chaturanga, but I’ve experienced no issues with it myself).
I haven’t spent as much time with many of the newer instructors, but in addition to Aditi, I would definitely recommend Kristin McGee, Anna Greenberg, Ross Rayburn (if you feel like doing Lizard pose it’s a regular in his classes, and he goes quite quickly sometimes, but also explains a bit of the anatomy/physiology behind the moves which I personally find helpful), Denis Morton, and the newish Kirra Michel who makes floating into the air look like an absolute breeze.
8. 10-minute Focus Flow classes are GREAT for stretching target areas
I’ve been working out to a fairly intense strength calendar, and to be honest I find regular stretching sessions a bit boring. So I’ve incorporated focus flow sessions into my routine. I simply pick a 10-minute focus flow that targets the same area as my strength workout, and add it at the end of my stack. Voila, no sore muscles, and much more enjoyable than traditional strength!
7. Some people turn their noses up at Peloton Yoga
While I’m clearly a fan, there are some people who look down on Peloton Yoga, saying it’s just not the same as in-person classes or other online offerings. I get that everyone is different and entitled to their opinion/personal preference on matters like these. But I’ve personally found Peloton Yoga to be just as beneficial and informative — and results-gaining — as any yoga I’ve taken previously. I’ve also stuck with it for 150 classes, so something must be going right!
6. You don’t need a ton of equipment
A yoga mat, some blocks, a yoga strap and a blanket would be ideal partners for Peloton Yoga classes; I must confess, I don’t often bring a blanket, but do have the other props. Instructors are great at providing alternatives during class — a stack of books instead of blocks, a bathrobe belt instead of a strap — so don’t feel like you need to stock up on equipment before you decide whether you like it.
5. Yoga really does help with flexibility and strength
I’ve noticed that yoga has helped me to more nimbly complete some strength work, particularly moves that involve both weight and balance. It might just be a feeling, but I also get the impression that I move more safely and intentionally when picking up heavy weights. This has translated into functional movement in my non-exercise aspects of life.
4. Sun salutations get less annoying as you go
For some reason, I used to find sun salutations to be incredibly boring. They seemed so repetitive and I couldn’t really understand the benefits. But somehow, the more that I did them (tip: they are not often featured in the shorter classes <15–20 minutes), the better I became at them, and the more of the benefits I have felt. I now legitimately find myself enjoying a stretchy downward dog, and I no longer dread Chaturanga.
3. Hand stands are still a dream for me
Advanced classes are, well…. advanced, and there are some intermediate sessions that ain’t no joke, either. Kristin McGee is no stranger to handstands nor ‘the Wheel’, and some others seem to be able to balance on thin air (here’s looking at you, Kirra Michel!!). With 150 classes under my belt, my technique and strength and ability have all definitely improved, but I have a long way to go to be that graceful and strong!!
2. Denis Morton is super different as a yoga instructor than a cycling instructor
I enjoy Denis Morton’s cycling classes, particularly his Power Zone sessions (I once got trapped in one of his country-themed classes where we square danced on the bike, and he wore a ridiculous shirt with a cowboy boot on it, but that’s another story!! PS It was a pretty funny class). When he cycles, he tends to be a bit goofy, a bit nostalgic, a bit zany.
When it comes to his yoga, however, he brings an inner calm. He’s patient, he explains how things work, he does have Metallica-themed classes and he does get nostalgic, but it’s in a calm and peaceful way. I can’t explain it, but I think Yoga Denis is my favorite Denis.
- Yoga helps with more than flexibility
Since starting with Peloton yoga, in addition to the many physical benefits it provides, I’ve noticed that the postures and breath work have helped me in other areas of my life. In one of Kristin McGee’s hip-opening classes, she talks about how yoga has helped her to learn to breathe when something feels a bit uncomfortable, and pause before reacting — she also very honestly says it’s something she’s still working on. I share this sentiment fully — I find myself more consciously using breath in times where I have previously jumped to anger, anxiety, judgement or other premature conclusions. It’s just as helpful on the yoga mat as it is sitting in my work-from-home office chair, and I am truly grateful.
150 classes in — no regrets. I look forward to continuing my Peloton Yoga journey — cheers to 150 more and beyond.
