A typical a la carte yoga class will cost you in the ballpark of $15 to $30, depending on the studio, not to mention how much it would cost to hire a private session with an instructor at your home. Why not bring your yoga practice home, a few days of the week, with these 11 iPhone apps that will cost you the equivalent of one in-studio class?
Yoga routine iPhone apps
The free Yoga Journal iPractice Lite app offers two of the 15 yoga routines from the full app. Try it first, then if you like it, download the Yoga Journal iPractice app ($4.99) for the complete set. I like this app because you can decide if you want audio vs. text instructions (or both), and you can select the time between poses.
The basic Prêt-à-Yoga app (99 cents) is similar to the Yoga Journal iPractice app in function, but includes only a few basic routines — I’ll use this app when I’m traveling. The app also promises that an upgrade is coming soon, so download now in case the price goes up later.
I used to subscribe to the YOGAmazing podcasts, but I couldn’t keep up with syncing my iPod to my laptop all the time. So I was stoked to come across the YOGAmazing Podcast app ($2.99). Now, I have all the amazing yoga videos like “Yoga on an Airplane,” “Slow Flow Yoga” and “Yoga for Headaches” automatically on my iPhone without syncing. Updates are often and I always have the latest yoga routines, no matter where I am.
Best iPhone apps for mastering your practice
While it’s next to impossible to do Bikram, or hot yoga, at home (unless you install a super powerful heater), at least with the Bikram Yoga app ($1.99), you can master hot yoga poses so you don’t make a fool of yourself in class.
I’ve always been fascinated with the concepts behind yoga, so I love the Yoga Lessons for Developing Spiritual Consciousness app (99 cents). Check out this app to tap into the spiritual side of yoga. If you are more of a quirky girl than a spiritual yogi, check out the YogaSexy app ($2.99). This app couples darling illustrations and inspiring details with aptly named yoga poses like Sexy Back, Kissable Legs and my favorite, the Burn Girdle.
Yoga on the go with these iPhone apps
I wouldn’t do yoga on the course if I was golfing with the good old boys, but I would try it if I was out for a fun day with the girls. So the Golf Yoga app ($1.99) will have a safe place on my iPod until I golf again next spring.
On a daily basis, I do stretches at my desk also making it a point to get up every hour and walk around briefly. With the Office Yoga (99 cents) app, now I can do some light yoga stretches at my desk to keep my circulation going and my mood peppy all day!
iPhone apps for aspiring teachers
Create up to five of your own yoga classes with the Yoga STRETCH app (99 cents). This app is great because it times your practice for you, while the voice of a virtual instructor reminds you of proper form. If you need more time, just press pause for a moment.
If you’re afraid that doing yoga at home will cause you to become lazy and forgo practicing all together, try keeping track with the Yoga Diary (iYoga) app (99 cents). You can even e-mail your usual yoga instructor with your progress directly from the app.
And if you’re concerned that without an instructor you’ll lax on proper form, check out the Yoga Teacher app (99 cents). It’s a game in which you become the instructor and helps keep you up to date on proper joint alignment.
Namaste!
