I am part of those rare breed of people who primarily prefers to exercise from the comfort of my own home. While I like to mix it up with different types of workouts to avoid boredom, yoga will always be my first love. A side benefit of using Youtube videos to exercise is that I save a lot of money by foregoing classes or gym memberships. This method might not be for everyone, but it works the best for me. Over the years I have discovered various yoga instructors on Youtube whose energy, style and direction I absolutely love. Without further ado, here is the list of my favorite Youtube yogis.
1. Ali Kamenova
Ali Kamenova’s passion for sharing yoga with the world is readily apparent. I love her intensity, nurturing attitude and beautiful accent. Ali is a genuine person and unlike many other youtubers (that word makes me cringe), she isn’t overly concerned with appearances. Not everything is picture perfect and I really appreciate that. I think this makes her seem that much more real. She has an immense library of videos for every level and most of her workouts are around 45 minutes! Ali is an enchanting, spiritual being and often provides the viewer with mind-opening insights.
Juliana and Mark are a gorgeous and inspiring bohemian couple who travel the world together. Their yoga videos are set against the backdrop of exotic locales such as Thailand, Costa Rica, Peru, Bali and more. It’s fun to imagine I’ve been transported there too, if only for a little while. As a former gymnast, Juliana can contort her body in ways I can only dream of. Many of the workouts are in the twenty minute range, but I find them pleasantly challenging. I also appreciate their holistic lifestyle that includes a deep reverence for the Earth.
3. Brett Larkin
Brett Larkin was my first introduction to yoga on Youtube. She is an amazing teacher and provides helpful reminders to breathe as well as modifications for various poses. She has quite the compendium of videos that feature all different styles of yoga. For example, she opened my eyes to the fascinating practice of kundalini yoga which I wasn’t previously aware of. Brett is positive, energetic and warm. I highly recommend her unique chakra series which transforms both your physical and etheric body.
I stumbled upon Kassandra’s channel somewhat recently and I am enthralled with her distinct approach. Her yoga practice is based on intention. She is very in tune to the rhythms of nature and some of my favorite videos she has created are based on the lunar cycle. Kassandra places an emphasis on restorative yin yoga which is a much needed remedy for Western society’s fast-paced, adrenal fatigue-inducing lifestyle. I look forward to enjoying more of Kassandra’s videos in the future.
5. Anita Goa
Anita Goa is a sensitive, kind and intuitive soul. She has an ethereal wisdom about her that is difficult to put into words. Anita’s workouts are not overly strenuous, but they get the blood flowing and I feel very energized afterwards. The movements she makes with her body seem to go beyond yoga- almost to the realm of energy healing through movement (think tai chi). While she has a substantial amount of full body yoga flow videos, she also has a vast collection of targeted workouts for specific areas of the body. If you are not familiar with Anita Goa, I recommend that you become acquainted.
Adriene is down-to-earth and unafraid to be herself. She has a calming, grounded aura that will reduce your stress level in minutes. Her brand of yoga is gentle and all about moving in a way that feels good for your body. I gravitate towards her videos when I want something a little easier that radiates authenticity. Adriene is a wonderful example of what it means to nurture your inner child.
