The 7 best yoga apps to help you practice at home and boost your wellbeing
We've rounded up the best yoga apps, whether you want to work your core or develop a mindful practice
The best yoga apps can be a great way to move your body, build a connection between your mind and muscles, and develop a mindfulness practice, since going to an in-person class isn't always going to be on the cards.
Whether you're short on time or working on a budget, these yoga apps for your smartphone offer access to live and on-demand sessions across a range of styles, and all you need is one of the best yoga mats to get started.
Although you need a subscription to many of the best yoga apps, some offer free trials or a limited selection of classes you can use without breaking the bank. There are even a few which offer traditional workouts and meditations too.
The best yoga apps to practice at home
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1. Alo Moves
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Alo Moves is an on-demand yoga app featuring focused series, one-off classes, and skill-building lessons to improve your practice. You can easily narrow your search by experience or fitness level, intensity, and type.
If improving your strength and flexibility are your goals, Alo Moves has a wide range of these classes for a yearly cost of $199. There are yoga classes to strengthen your muscles and boost your flexibility, alongside strength training and mobility workouts.
Alo Moves provides specific instructional classes and guided experiences to help you grow your skills and practice, so you can put your newfound strength and flexibility to the test. Want to improve your backbends or learn to handstand? There are individual instructional classes and series for that.
And if you want to spend some of your time on the mat finding inner peace and zen, plenty of options are available for that, including Yoga Nidra (for sleep). There are no live classes, however, so if you enjoy individual instruction, feedback, and class energy Glo may be a better fit for your practice.
2. Glo
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Glo is an on-demand and daily live yoga and fitness class platform that is the perfect solution for people with busy schedules. You can find classes ranging from two minutes up to 20 minutes, so you can practice self-care even on the busiest days.
There are also meditations, Pilates, HIIT-style yoga classes and workouts, so you can create a rounded wellness routine from home. If you have a bit more time, there are 90-minute sessions too, and 16 styles of yoga across more than 5,000 streamable classes.
Subscriptions are $24 monthly or $245 yearly and include streaming and on-demand classes, as well as lectures and educational content. However, the app doesn't offer personalized suggestions, which can make finding the right session a bit time consuming. However, it's a great option for all experience levels.
3. Find What Feels Good
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Find What Feels Good (FWFG) is a small-but-mighty yoga platform with a library of 900 classes and new videos every week. FWFG was founded by Adriene Mishler from the popular Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel.
Whether you’ve followed along with Adrienne previously or not, her premium service adds depth and focus for anyone hoping to create a rounded, body-positive yoga practice from home.
On the platform, you can find series for specific needs, such as osteoporosis, meditation, finding peace, boosting creativity, and relationships. There are one-off classes, recipes videos, vlogs, behind-the-scenes material, and educational content to grow your understanding of the yoga lifestyle and deepen your practice.
While it has less variety than some other apps, there’s a personal, welcoming vibe to FWFG. You can find plenty of incredible free content on Adriene’s YouTube channel, but FWFG is ad-free and more comprehensive.
It also has a better search function and full series to build a habit and grow specific skills. It’s the perfect choice for beginners and long-standing Mishler fans alike.
4. YogaWorks
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YogaWorks provides live classes, pre-recorded on-demand options, and teacher training with a range of different teachers and styles. Classes and modifications are available for beginners through to the more experienced, and even for those with current injuries or limitations.
There are options for practicing types of yoga, but you can also learn and practice specific skills, such as mastering a headstand or breathing technique. Live classes include modifications and tips so you can learn and adjust your practice to fit your abilities, even as they change day to day.
Classes run from 9am to 8pm ET, with some days offering 10pm Yoga Nidra or similar nighttime sessions to help you drift off to sleep. Despite this, YogaWorks has fewer on-demand selections than some other apps and is more expensive than similar apps like Glo.
However, there are motivating features, such as a social community and live classes that help you feel connected to others. If this is something you want to experience in your yoga journey, YogaWorks is an excellent choice. Plus, you can check out its sample videos before making a commitment.
5. Yoga for Everyone
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Yoga for Everyone was founded by yoga teacher and author Dianne Bondy. Her aim is to empower her students to accept who and where they are in the present, while teaching them and other yoga teachers the importance of inclusivity in yoga.
Bondy is the author of two bestselling books, Yoga for Everyone and Yoga Where You Are, and her website and apps are extensions of this goal. Yoga for Everyone has hundreds of pre-recorded classes, a community, and live classes to choose from.
There are several class types, teachers, and styles, including ones for new beginners with all body types. And there are sessions for flexibility, reducing stiffness, improving joint mobility, and developing strength, with modifications with props or chairs. Plus, there's a category specifically for those with bigger bodies.
6. CorePower Yoga
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CorePower Yoga is one of the largest yoga studios in the US with over 220 locations, and the CorePower Yoga app brings its expertise and instructors to your home with daily live streaming and on-demand classes primarily geared toward building strength and core stability.
Most of the yoga offered is fusion-type, which includes the use of weights or implements cardio or HIIT-style intervals into yoga-centered lessons. If you love yoga and want to add another dimension to your training, increasing your overall fitness, strength and muscle, then CorePower is a strong choice.
On the flip side, if you are a regular at the gym who prefers lifting weights but realize you may lack mobility and flexibility, CorePower is a fantastic middle ground. There are classes available for all fitness levels and skill types—though beginners and untrained individuals may have fewer options.
If you are looking for yoga that helps you unwind, center yourself and relieve tension, you may be better off with Yoga for Everyone or Alo Moves.
7. DownDog
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DownDog is distinct from others on this list since it’s a customizable experience. For instance, when you use the app for yoga, you can choose your practice by level, yoga type, boost (focusing on a specific skill or aspect, such as breathing, backbends), length, and how long to spend in Savasana (the ending rest pose of yoga sequences).
Going even further into creating a custom experience, you can change the voice of your teacher, add music and pick how in-depth you’d like the instruction to be—a benefit for those repeating poses or lessons they already know.
You can adjust the pace of how the sequences unfold and the video quality—so you don’t end up with choppy or grainy videos. The app allows you to track your progress and adjust sessions, so it's a flexible option.
DownDog is ideal for those who want to focus on their own training while listening to comprehensive explanations, rather than needing to watch to follow along. However, if you prefer video instruction and get motivated by specific teachers or styles, you’ll be better off with Alo Moves, Glo, or another video app option.
How to choose the best yoga app for you
Choosing a yoga app starts with figuring out your goals and preferences and considering your budget. If you enjoy live classes or want a comprehensive fitness app this will help narrow your search.
If variety and the option to choose other types of workout classes—such as strength training or HIIT—is a feature you’d like, then finding a more rounded app will be best to save you taking out multiple subscriptions to several apps.
Most yoga apps have classes for all levels and abilities, some stand out for their attention to helping new yogis develop their skills and feel comfortable on the mat, while others are more geared to experienced practitioners.
FAQs
Which is the best yoga app for beginners?
Most yoga apps have options for beginners, but some provide more than others. If you’re concerned with your ability level, look for an app that provides basic levels of instruction for all body types and fitness levels.
Yoga for Everyone is one of the top choices for beginners, while Adriene Mishler's Find What Feels Good builds on the foundations laid by Yoga with Adriene, one of the best yoga YouTube channels.
What is the best free yoga app?
Yoga Workout is a free-to-download and use yoga app that has many classes and workouts, ranging from 5-50 minutes (and longer in some cases). You can join challenges—such as a 21-day yoga challenge—that help build a habit and increase motivation.
The app is useful for anyone wanting to do yoga on the go (or even in bed), and it contains a surprising amount of free, decent-quality content. The app is currently only available for iOS devices, though. Yoga for Beginners is an excellent alternative for Android users.
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Rachel is a lifelong health and fitness enthusiast with 15 years of experience, a certified personal trainer, and a fitness writer with bylines at Livestrong, Verywell, and Insider. She is passionate about clearly and accessibly communicating actionable and science-based fitness advice. Alongside her writing, Rachel also holds several certifications, including nutrition, prenatal/postpartum exercise, and pain-free performance. She lives in coastal Eastern Canada, and her hobbies include jiu-jitsu, hiking, and trips to the beach.
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