Yoga classes are disappearing from city blocks all over America. It can seem as if every yoga class you hear about is being canceled due to COVID 19. But regardless of the cause, most yoga teachers say that they’re finding it extremely hard to locate enough room for new students right now. Studios may have gotten away with loaded down class schedules in the past, but that’s probably not going to happen again, especially as yoga gets more mainstream and demands continue to increase.

In a way, yoga classes are the ultimate ‘do it yourself’ projects. You just do what you’re told…right up until you don’t. There is so much more to restorative yoga than simply performing the same few poses over again, however. Teachers describe their courses as a deep exploration of yoga, one that ends with many students engaging with deeper understanding of postures, body awareness, mind/body connection, and the overall nature of healing. If you’ve always wanted to reconnect with your roots, but haven’t yet been able to quite pinpoint where you should start, restorative yoga could be perfect for you – and, depending on the instructor, it could be within your schedule!

Of course, learning to breathe correctly is an essential part of learning any new skill. One of the ways yoga studios try to help students get the right breathing technique is by having them perform a breathing meditation (sometimes called a mindfulness meditation) before classes. The goal of the mindfulness meditation is to bring the student into a state where they become aware of how their breathing patterns are changing throughout the day. If this sounds similar to yoga classes, it’s because it is. But the difference is that the yoga classes focus on changing the physical postures; the meditation requires a more introspective approach.

Another way yoga studios draw students is through social Distancing. Social Distancing is a subtle and quieting process that draws people into themselves. In other words, it’s not enough to just have fun; the yoga studios want you to become a true You. At a yoga class, social distancing is combined with controlled breathing, which allow students to embrace their true selves, their true feelings, and learn to release themselves from the control of their emotions and thoughts. In other words, yoga classes teach students to do Yoga on their own terms, allowing them to feel confident that they can tackle whatever comes their way in the moment.

And finally, in addition to these physical exercises, yoga classes at most studios also incorporate meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness practices through yoga classes, meditation, and/or controlled breathing. The combination of physical, mental, and social areas creates the perfect “yoga garden” that can provide an abundance of healing, peace, and serenity. Through the power of pranayama, or regulated breathing, studio owners and teachers say to Dennis and that the students become more grounded and focused in their daily lives and the world as well.

In a nutshell, this article has been intended to offer the studio owner and yoga teacher a brief description of how and why yoga classes can be so helpful to both students and instructors. It’s important for everyone to remember that Yoga is not only physical exercise. There are many psychological benefits as well. It is also important to remember that Yoga studios exist to foster social distancing, to allow students to really connect with each other and with their instructors. This social distancing and the resulting sense of connectedness create a solid foundation for a student’s success within the studio and in life.