Batman and Robin. Peanut butter and jelly. Instagram and yoga. There are some things that just seem made for each other. Yoga has been around for centuries, but phone apps and Instagram hashtags like #yogaeverydamnday have now made the practice available to the masses.
Even if you don’t know a Warrior from a Wild Thing, we’ve got you covered. Consider this your intro to today’s online yoga tribe.
First things first: Get inspired by some of the most amazing yogis on Instagram.
Yoga Girl
#yogaeverydamnday
Rachel Brathen, better known as Yoga Girl, posts on Instagram multiple times each day. While the balancing postures of yoga are difficult for many of us on solid ground, Rachel takes it to another level by showing off her moves on a stand up paddleboard. Rachel’s posts usually take place near a beautiful blue ocean or show her dogs getting in on her daily practice. Her images are beautiful, and her captions often share some serious wisdom.
Laura Sykora
You might think you’re seeing double when you first find Laura’s account, but don’t rush off to the eye doctor. Laura’s daughter, lovingly referred to as her “mini,” practices right alongside her mom, making some challenging poses look easy (and adorable). It appears that gravity has no meaning for Laura, as many of her posts show her in a variety of inverted poses or asanas.
Yoga Beyond
#YogaBeyond #ChichenItza #Mayan #Pyramid #Yucatan #Mexico Lens @YogiDunx Gear @AloYoga
This last account comes with a serious “Do Not Try This at Home” warning. Just when you are astonished by what one yogi can do, the duo of Honza and Claudine Lafond arrives on the scene to blow your mind again. This husband-wife team lights up Instagram with their Acrovinyasa™ practice, where the poses are held while balancing on the hands or feet of the yoga partner.
Maybe you already know/love/are scared of yoga. Maybe you think, “I’m not flexible enough/strong enough/look good enough in a bikini to do yoga.” That is where you’d be wrong. As my friend Jaymee once tweeted, “Saying you’re not flexible enough to do yoga is like saying you’re not full enough to eat.” Here are some great apps to get you started on your own practice without falling on your face…or at least not in front of a room full of strangers:
Yoga Studio (iOS | $3.99)
This is my personal favorite app for getting into yoga. Classes are sorted by experience level, class focus, and duration, making it easy to find exactly what you need. Class videos are downloaded to your iOS device so you can take them anywhere. You can create custom classes and the app will automatically find the perfect transition between each pose. Yoga Studio allows you to listen to ready-made playlists, add your own, or use other music apps in the background. While it may be pricey for an app, it’s significantly less than the cost of a membership at a yoga studio, which makes it perfect for those deciding if yoga is right for them.
Down Dog App (iOS | Free)
If you often experience decision paralysis, the new Down Dog App might be for you. This app offers a new yoga practice every day. They currently offer only a beginner level practice, but intermediate and advanced practices are coming soon. The poses are choreographed to the two playlists available to choose from, and you can also choose a practice time from 30 to 55 minutes. This app is both free and simple to use, but some may dislike the use of photos rather than video.
Relax Melodies Oriental (iOS, Android | Free)
Relax Melodies doesn’t provide any yoga instruction, but it does offer the ability to create your own natural soundscape perfect for yoga or meditation. Some of the offered sounds you can mix include Tibetan monks chanting, a Chinese flute, a stream of water, and harps. You can send a mix of sounds to your Favorites list for easy access. An alarm or timer makes it easy to stay on schedule without continuously checking your phone. The paid version of Relax Melodies includes guided meditations or binaural brainwaves to help you relax further.
Yoga provides a challenge for both flexibility and strength in a non-competitive environment. Sharing your practice through social media isn’t about showing off, but rather showing how far you’ve come. Here are three of the best ways to show off your flow:
Hyperlapse by Instagram (iOS | Free)
Todays #selfimproveMEsept15 mantra? Persistence in all things.. Except negativity 
#negativeseeds spread like wild fire. Don't feed them, water them or let them grow.
How does a yogi show off a full practice when Instagram videos are limited to 15 seconds? Instagram’s own time-lapse video app, of course. Hyperlapse allows any iPhone user to create time-lapse videos that previously required stabilization equipment. With today’s short attention spans, nobody really wants to watch a full yoga practice at regular speed anyway.
PicTapGo (iOS | $1.99)
I can barely stand to post a photo without editing it. As a big fan of Totally Rad’s RadLab, I was excited to see them bring some of their best styles to the iPhone with PicTapGo. Your favorite filters can be saved in your own custom recipes, or you can simply brighten up a photo or make it black and white. This app provides photographer-level edits to the masses without having to learn Photoshop.
PicCollage (iOS, Android, Windows, Amazon | Free)
If you’re looking to tell a story with just one Instagram post, PicCollage has you covered. You can add multiple images, text, and stickers to create the look you desire. From the PicCollage app, you can share your image to Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, or Twitter. The convenience of this app will get you off your phone and back into Savasana before you know it.
I’d love to see your Downward Dog or your favorite place to practice. Tweet me your pics at @majorsager, or if you’re in Lincoln, come park your mat next to me at Play Lincoln. Namaste!
Hurrdat is a Lincoln, Neb. digital marketing agency specializing in social media and content marketing. The company was founded in 2010 and merged with B² Interactive of Omaha, Neb. in 2014 bringing even more digital marketing specialties to both firms’ clients. Together they provide a full range of social media, SEO, and website development services to both national brands and local clients. The companies employ more than 75 people in Nebraska and have won multiple awards for their business efforts, company culture, and clients’ campaigns.
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