This feels like an embarrassment of riches. There is literally not enough time in the day to do all the yoga with all the teachers I have loved and lost when I moved away. The quarantine’s silver lining is that they’re back and zoom classes are the only option so I get to experience the love & wisdom of my favorite teachers. It’s amazing.
Fitness in the time of COVID-19! I posted a few of my faves but y’all I get to go WAY BACK in the archives and do virtual yoga with seriously ALL of my favorites. Almost all of these are donation-based directly via venmo, or free.
ASPEN
Before Aspen, I practiced Bikram Yoga. As a lifelong athlete, the competitive/sweaty nature called to me, whereas vinyasa bored me.
Aaron King: Fortunately, I lived at ABC for the first few months I lived in Aspen, and there I discovered Aaron’s soulful but athletic class set perfectly to music. He ultimately won me over, and I have always credited him—and his studio—for singlehandedly making me a yogi. He did his first-ever livestream yoga class this weekend and I missed it, but can guarantee I’ll be at the next one. facebook / IG
Courtney Smith (w/ or w/o Thug Yoga): Before she ever thought up Thug Yoga, she was my absolute favorite instructor at the Aspen Club. With Thug, Courtney has added hilarious names for the poses and much-loved beer breaks, but her flows are still fun and purposeful. She’s doing IG live & we’re trying to make her do zoom, Mon & Weds nights.
Ashley Turner*: Her week-long yoga workshop in 2011 is the only thing that got me through the hardest breakup of my life. I didn’t include her in my initial list because she focuses more on the psychology aspect of her business now. But she just announced Wisdom Wednesday classes, which is exciting—although excitement don’t come cheap: $97 for 5, although you get access to live + saved classes.
OC
I’ve written about my OC instructors before, but let me update you with the benefit of time.
MJ Travers: I have no idea how she manages to get new moves in there every. single. time. I’ve been practicing for over 13 years! Her classes are always a wonderful balance of challenging sequences with deep stretching and twinkly, spot-on insight. She’s also doing Gentle aka Yin classes, available live and saved on YouTube / IG *she’s also partnering up with a Budokan yoga instructor and co-teaching some classes, which is seriously fun!
Shannon Kassoff: My most consistent teacher has the least consistent virtual practice, but I think she’s starting to go regularly on YogaWorks’ YouTube. She’s posting her schedule on her facebook; for reiki meditation, follow her on IG.
AUSTIN
Caitlin Fennessy: A badass teacher, she infuses an already-challenging vinyasa class with pilates moves for extra sizzle. She taught the bachelorette party I hosted, and every attendee wished she could attend Caitlin’s classes regularly. Now you can. Check her IG live for her schedule, but she’s posting/hosting pretty prolifically. IG / website
Shelby Autrey: Ah, the hilarious yoda-yogi-owner of BFree, who will unapologetically tell it how it is while she’s teaching, no matter what or how “it” is. She’s incredible, and her Saturday morning 10am Zoom class is 90 minutes—which I’d normally say is too long—of bliss. BFree / IG. (I also love Iva & Leah on this schedule)
TRAVEL*
CorePower studios are everywhere, so I usually keep a class pack for traveling. Almost all of my favorite teachers have, at some point or another, taught at CorePower. While not my daily hOMe, I think of them as 80% studios: I’m probably only going to like 80% of the teachers, but the class will never be less than 80% good. Consistentcy is key here. Despite already having a paid virtual library established before coronavirus times, they’re sharing free classes each week at this link.
Honorable Mentions all around the world
My friend Jen’s mat pilates classes are great, and every day of the week* (Tues & Thurs @NewportFitness IG); Ballet Austin is hosting a metric ton of different dance classes that I’d love to try; Aarmy‘s free workouts look like as much fun as a bootcamp-style workout can be (not much in my non-cardio-loving opinion); and I’ve had tons of fun doing AO’s livestreams with my quarantine neighbors (bro & gf).
*indicates updated 4/8/20