I’ve always loved the experience of walking into a yoga studio. My space of choice for the last year or so has been Revitalise – a tranquil haven at the end of a busy road in Brighton. I’d crave the feeling of pushing open the door, walking up the wooden steps and soaking in the aromatic smells as I signed myself in at reception. And I’d be excited by the thought of taking my shoes off, stepping into a calmly lit room, placing myself on a mat and closing my eyes – I’d even pre-plan the shoes I was going to wear to avoid the laces taking too long.

Please don’t be fooled, I’m a terrible yogi. My mind drifts, I don’t know the lingo and my downward dog tends to replicate a flailing frog. But I love it. 

One hour of chilled music, aromatherapy and telling my body that it’s fabulous. Uninterrupted me time. I exhale at the thought of it.

When all fun outside of the house became effectively cancelled for an undisclosed amount of time a few weeks back, you can imagine my despair at the loss of my beloved yoga space. I address you here, reader, because I feel there’s a good chance that you went through some form of yogi loss, too.

I’ve always leaned on yoga at a time of emotional need. Relationship breakdown? Do yoga. Stressed at work? Do yoga. Worried about money? Do yoga. Freaking out about running a business? You get the picture. 

So, at a time when the entire economy, working culture, arts industry, health system and, well, everything except my home life (blessed) is in a national state of emergency, you can imagine why I need it right now. (And I know you do, too.)

But with the loss of a safe yoga space, what is an amateur yogi to do? 

My home is most certainly a sanctuary in the definition of the word. But the only quiet space I have to hide away and do some yoga is at the end of my bed, with my head against a bike and my toes against a printer. Our house scent shifts more between fresh coffee or a slow cooked thai curry than Women’s Balance by Neil’s Yard (which smells amazing BTW.) And the energy tends to slide towards chaos more than peace. 

On paper, it’s an impossible space for me to transition into my self-appointed position of Yoga Goddess.

You already know from the title of the blog post that I was incredibly wrong.

What really happens in a virtual yoga session

In a fearless state of ‘fuck it’, I pushed aside my concerns, laid out the yoga mat I bought a few years back when I thought I’d be one of those ‘every day yogis’ and signed into Zoom for Louise from Revitalise’s Class. 

I found myself immediately comparing the spaces of the other yogis to mine – it seemed everyone had either books or tapestry in the background, whereas I had a row of untucked bedsheets right behind my head. 

Determined to indulge myself in a state of yogi, I told my judgemental insecurities to take a seat and turned off my camera. Best decision ever.

The class began as they always do: sitting cross-legged on your mat, closing your eyes and breathing deeply. The intentions were set, the movements were clear and everything that Louise did was exactly as it would have been in class.

An obvious fact now that I’ve been through it, but a concern beforehand nonetheless. 

The big lesson that I’ve learned to truly embrace, however, is that the ambience of the session is completely in your control. 

Finding the right yoga sounds for your virtual session

At the time, my housemates were watching the TV, stomping around the flat and making a bit of a racquet – to be expected at 6pm. To ensure that we can hear her, Louise didn’t have any music on. 

So, it was up to me to quickly find a playlist that would work, whilst trying, desperately, to breathe in for 6 and out for 6 to fall into that addictive yoga trance. 

Whoever was top in my ‘Yin Yoga’ Spotify search would have made a teeny tiny royalty from me that day (and all of the sessions that have followed).

Top tip: Make sure you click the ‘repeat’ button. I did have a mild blip during the downward dog of Yonaka playing ‘All Fired Up’ (your microphones are muted during the session too, by the way).

Having the right props for your virtual yoga session

I will always opt to do any yoga titled ‘Yin’, ‘Restorative’ or ‘Hatha’ over ‘Ashtanga’, which, frankly, sounds utterly terrifying. But those sessions are made so much more relaxing with props: from bolsters, to blocks, to straps, to blankets. 

Whilst I do have a little block from my ‘every day yoga dream’ days, I feared I would miss the aromatic smells of the blanket and the firm, yet comfy, feel of the bolsters. But, as it turns out, I actually love using my own props. The pillow from my bed, the strap from my dressing gown and my go-to blanket on the sofa (that’s also draped over me right now) has developed a new, wholesome purpose. 

Although I do currently have my eye on Bristol Girl, Briony Kate’s, lavender scented eye pillows though...

Virtual yoga sessions from home is the ultimate grounding experience

As I melted into the savasana at the end of Louise’s class (and every class I’ve done since), I encountered a sensation I hadn’t experienced in yoga before: grounding. It went far beyond my own visualisations of firmly placing my head, shoulders, calves and ankles to the floor. I embraced the fact that I both literally and spiritually had nowhere else to be. 

This is not to say that you can’t ever truly be grounded without being in the physical space you call home. I do understand the concept of home being where the heart is. But as someone who’s always had to tell off her brain for going over travel plans during a practice, it’s a relief to eliminate that concern and celebrate the privilege. 

And at the end of the session, when my body has been lifted and my eyes have been opened, I’ve shifted from the comparison phase with my fellow yogis and take a moment to say a heartfelt goodnight, happy that they’re safe at home, and as am I. 

Whilst part of me looks forward to the return of Revitalise for the social element, I’ve already started to pray that virtual yoga doesn’t disappear when this is all over.

There are so many ways that you can take part in a virtual yoga class and we would really recommend all City Girls to ask in their local City Girl Networks on Facebook so that you can support yoga teachers within your community.

Revitalise have been hosting ‘Brighton Girl Yoga for Stress and Anxiety’ for nearly a year, which is still going every Tuesday at 6pm. The beauty of it now being virtual is that ANY City Girl can now join! You can get your first 3 classes with them for £15, so it’s well worth giving them a go. Similarly, Sophie of The Yoga Coven has also been hosting pay-as-you-feel yoga classes for Brighton Girl, which you can now all join on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8am.

Share your yoga space with us on Instagram! We love to see what you are all up to and share to our network to encourage the feeling of social connection and inspiration during this isolation time. Tag @citygirlnetwork.

Written by Pippa Moyle

Disclaimer: We have an affiliate deal with Etsy, so if you do decide to buy Briony’s gorgeous eye masks, we make a bit of money (from Etsy, not Briony - she still gets the full payment agreed with Etsy).

We don’t have an affiliate deal with The Form. I just met the founder, Heidi, at The Pitch competition I was a part of in 2018 and fell in love with her yoga mats. They feel amazing!

Anyway, if you want to support the City Girl Network but can’t afford to be a Patreon, pay a one-off donation or sign up to our paid events, buying Briony’s eye mask through the links on this article will help us AND a talented Bristol Girl (bonus)!