Originating in ancient India over 5,000 years ago, yoga has evolved into a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts and minds of people seeking physical and mental wellness.
In recent years, the popularity of yoga has experienced an unprecedented surge, propelled by its proven benefits and a societal shift towards prioritizing holistic well-being. The benefits of yoga extend far beyond the physical form, reaching into one’s mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
The advancement of technology has significantly contributed to the popularization of yoga, with YouTube emerging as a prominent platform for both seasoned practitioners and beginners alike. Yoga is no longer reserved for people who are able to afford classes, it is now accessible to everyone. Here at Favoree, we have compiled a list of the 11 best yoga YouTube channels to practice at home, for free.
Yoga YouTube Channels for Beginners
This list is compiled from the opinions of Favoree users and the r/Yoga community.
If you are into a more rigorous type of exercise, check out our article about the best pilates channel on YouTube.
1. Yoga With Adriene – 12.5M Subscribers
Adriene Mishler is no stranger to the YouTube yoga community. Particularly beneficial for beginners, Mishler’s “Foundations of Yoga” series breaks down basic alignment and benefits of various poses.
Adriene creates a comfortable and friendly yoga experience, making her an ideal choice, especially for those who are not athletic. The high-quality video production, coupled with a touch of humor and humility, sets the tone for a well-paced practice that encourages mindful movement and fosters a strong mind-body connection.
2. Yoga with Kassandra – 2.4M Subscribers
Yoga with Kassandra distinguishes itself with a focused and less chatty approach, allowing for a faster-paced and more intense yoga experience. Her precise cuing enables practitioners to follow along without constantly looking at the screen.
Kassandra has classes that cater to beginners labeled clearly on her channel, providing an accessible entry point to her diverse content.
3. Fightmaster Yoga – 700K Subscribers
Lesley Fightmaster’s yoga channel offers programs that incorporate intermediate to advanced moves while maintaining a supportive atmosphere for practitioners of all levels. Her beginner-friendly videos have resonated with those new to yoga, creating an enjoyable starting point for their practice.
Unfortunately, Fightmaster won’t be releasing any more content, as Lesley passed away in 2020. The late Lesley Fightmaster’s legacy continues through her gentle voice and unique ability to convey both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga.
4. Bad Yogi Yoga – 150K Subscribers
Bad Yogi by Erin Motz offers a non-traditional and accessible approach to yoga. Motz focuses on making her classes fun, unfiltered, and inclusive, encouraging practitioners to stay true to themselves.
Her teaching style avoids heavy use of Sanskrit, prioritizing safe pose accessibility to maximize the benefits of time on the mat. Bad Yogi features a diverse range of beginner-friendly content, including yoga classes, tutorials, tips, and personal vlogs. Erin Motz’s genuine demeanor and quality classes have garnered her a loyal following seeking accessible yoga for all levels.
Intermediate Yoga YouTube Channels
5. Five Parks Yoga w/ Erin Sampson – 250K Subscribers
An underrated gem, Five Parks Yoga with Erin Sampson stands out as a captivating and challenging yoga channel on YouTube. Erin’s flows are interesting and unexpected, resembling a dance, and her at-home practices are unique, sometimes intense.
There’s minimal talking in Erin’s classes, which is preferred by some. She offers a variety of sessions, including those focused on specific body parts, strength building, and peak pose build-up. Filmed in picturesque locations such as Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the channel provides a soothing backdrop to the challenging vinyasa yoga sessions.
6. Natasha Noel – 750K Subscribers
Natasha Noel, based in Mumbai, has a big presence on Instagram. Her YouTube channel provides in-depth yoga content, including sequences, tutorials, and core drills to guide practitioners toward mastering challenging poses like the Headstand.
Natasha’s tutorials for specific stretches and poses are especially helpful for people who know what yoga poses they’re looking to improve.
7. Yoga With Tim – 350K Subscribers
Yoga with Tim, established in 2018, is beloved for its well-thought-out and intelligently designed yoga sequences. Tim Senesi’s clear and descriptive instruction, particularly on the nuances of poses, sets his channel apart.
Specializing in Vinyasa, most classes run around 30 minutes, providing a focused yet effective practice. Tim’s emphasis on posture explanation and movement understanding ensures a safe yoga experience with a touch of challenge.
8. Boho Beautiful Yoga – 2.8M Subscribers
Boho Beautiful offers a holistic wellness experience with a focus on yoga, fitness, and travel. Led by the dynamic duo Juliana and Mark Spicoluk, the channel features visually stunning videos filmed in breathtaking locations around the world.
Boho Beautiful’s videos cater to both beginners and intermediate yogis, and her sequences are more challenging and sure to keep you engaged.
Aside from yoga, Boho Beautiful also does pilates and she’s also featured in our article about the best pilates YouTube channels!
Advanced Yoga YouTube Channels
9. Ali Kamenova Yoga – 140K Subscribers
Ali Kamenova Yoga is a name that keeps popping up in the advanced yoga world for its physically challenging vinyasa and power yoga flows. Since 2012, she has offered high-quality, studio-level sequences, including vinyasa, hatha, power yoga, yin, and restorative practices.
A unique feature of her channel is HIIT Yoga or Interval Yoga, a dynamic and athletic style that combines the benefits of traditional yoga with cardio and strength training. Ali emphasizes the integration of a traditional spiritual practice with intense interval training.
10. Leigha Butler – 60K Subscribers
Leigha Butler stands out for her emphasis on advanced sequences featuring technically challenging poses, providing a muscular challenge without a fast pace. Her creative and expressive Vinyasa flows are admired for their daring and meditative qualities.
Butler’s minimal talking approach allows practitioners to focus on the intricate movements and challenging poses. Renowned for her authenticity and the dancer-like quality of her flows, Leigha Butler is a go-to for those seeking creative and challenging yoga practices.
11. Nicole Wild – 50K Subscribers
Nicole Wild offers advanced yoga flows that stand out in their uniqueness and difficulty level. Her sequences incorporate the entire body, combining long stretches with strength poses for a comprehensive and challenging practice.
Known for providing some of the hardest hour-long classes on YouTube, many admire Nicole as a great instructor, highlighting her ability to teach modifications and noting improved strength through consistent practice of her hour-long sessions.
FAQ
1. What is yoga and its benefits?
Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines. The benefits of yoga are vast, including improved flexibility, strength, posture, and balance. It also promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
2. Is yoga a Hindu or Buddhist practice?
While yoga has roots in ancient Indian philosophy, it is not specific to any one religion. It is a diverse practice that can be spiritual, but it is not inherently tied to Hinduism or Buddhism.
3. Is yoga a religious practice?
Yoga can be practiced with or without a religious or spiritual component. Many practitioners incorporate yoga into their spiritual beliefs, while others focus purely on the physical and mental benefits.
4. Does yoga shape your body?
Regular practice of yoga can contribute to shaping and toning the body. It helps in building muscle strength, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall body awareness.
5. Can yoga reduce belly fat?
While spot reduction is not possible, yoga can contribute to overall weight loss and toning of the body, which in turn can lead to reduced belly fat when combined with a healthy diet and other forms of exercise.
6. Can you get in shape from yoga?
Yoga can be an effective form of exercise for getting in shape. It builds strength, increases flexibility, and promotes overall physical and mental well-being, contributing to a healthier and fitter body over time.