Online courses for yoga are now appearing throughout the United States. The popularity of eastern philosophies, lifestyles and wellness programs have no doubt contributed to this phenomenon.
Benefits
The most obvious is that you don’t have to leave home. Using illustrated guides and videos, you will learn the different poses. Unlike in a traditional class, there is no pressure to keep up with classmates. You can study at a more comfortable pace.
Coursework
There are literally thousands of poses and techniques, but yoga classes focus on just a few. Among the most popular are hatha, vinyasa, ashtanga & power yoga. Viniyoga, bikram/hot yoga, kundalini and iyengar can also be learned on the Internet.
Students learn what health benefits can be obtained from these classes. They also provide exercise routines / schedules you can follow. Or you can decide which poses to practice. This is usually the case with people who want to alleviate some health problems. Aside from videos, there will be preparatory courses, packages for aspiring yoga teachers, DVDs and CDs.
Format and Features
Recorded or streaming videos are used to display information about teacher trainings and virtual workshops. After enrolling in the course, you just have to choose which yoga style to study (ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha etc).
Aside from yoga education, you can also learn the philosophy & meditation behind it. These courses are extensive; the videos can total dozens or hundreds of hours. After completing the course, a certification will be given.
Internet courses are arranged just like a regular class. You begin with beginners courses. This is where novices should start. Advanced courses are also available. These sites also explain what the different types of yoga are.
Other Information
Yoga schools typically include subjects about Hindu philosophy. Other topics that may be included are master of divinity (Hindu priest training), Sri Aurobindo Studies, Vedic astrology, Hinduism and Ayurveda. Proper diet and nutrition and psychology are covered too.
Requirements
Anyone can take up yoga; contrary to popular belief, not all poses are difficult. Some are very basic yet effective. Of course if you have health problems, consult your doctor. In terms of system requirements, it will vary from site to site. A fast Internet connection is needed to play or download videos.
Online courses for yoga are increasing almost at the same rate as live classes. Thanks to the Internet, you can now study the basic moves at home.