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by Jenni Rawlings & Travis Pollen, PhD

Introduction

The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the landscape of the yoga world. In a matter of days back in March, yoga studios, gyms, health clubs, and all other settings where in-person group yoga classes took place were shut down on a global scale – and in many places they remain closed today. Yoga teachers wanting to continue with their classes were forced to make an almost instantaneous pivot to teaching online, and yoga students desiring instruction had nowhere to practice but online.

With so much in flux right now, it got us wondering. How is the new and prevalent role that online yoga is playing in our world changing the way online yoga is perceived and interacted with? What formats of online yoga are most popular right now among students and teachers? Once the pandemic is over and we return to a “new normal,” will online yoga continue to have as large of a presence in our lives? Or will yogis be so excited to return to their in-person classes that online yoga will resume its former supporting role behind in-person instruction?

To gain insight into this timely and important issue for the yoga community, we designed a survey to investigate how yoga students’ and teachers’ participation in, preferences for, and attitudes about online yoga have changed since before the pandemic. In addition, we sought to compare and contrast these factors between the students and teachers.

Below, we’ll explain how we conducted the survey, describe the demographics of the yogis who responded, and share the findings, limitations, and implications.

What We Did

In July of 2020, we sent out a short anonymous survey about online yoga to Jenni’s email subscribers and social media followers. The survey was a mix of open-ended questions (free form answers) and closed-ended questions (answer options provided) to produce both qualitative and quantitative data.

In the survey, we asked the following questions:

Are you a yoga student or a yoga teacher? [Note: If a respondent identified as both a teacher and a student (as many teachers do), we asked them to complete the survey as a teacher.]

Before the pandemic, did you practice/teach any online yoga?

We then repeated the same questions as above, this time in reference to the time period during the pandemic. We also asked the students how they chose their online yoga classes before and during the pandemic.

We followed up with four additional questions for both the students and teachers:

Compared to before the pandemic, do you view online yoga more or less favorably now (or no differently)? Why?
Once things return back to “normal” (or a “new normal”), do you plan to practice/teach online yoga?

Lastly, to understand the respondents’ demographics, we asked their age, gender, and location as well as whom they heard about the survey from and whether they were current or former members of Jenni’s online yoga class library. At the very end of the survey, we provided a space for respondents to share anything else they wanted us to know.

To determine whether there were statistically significant differences between students’ and teachers’ responses to select questions, we conducted Chi-squared tests. (If you’re curious about the details of the statistics, we’d be happy to share more; just let us know.)

Description of Respondents

Here’s a breakdown of the yogis who participated in the survey:

Number of responses: 659 (74.5% teachers, 25.5% students)

Age: Average = 46; Range = 20 to 78

Gender: Female (92.4%) , Male (5.6%), Non-binary/third gender (0.3%), Prefer not to say/no answer (1.7%)

Location: North America: (75.0%), Europe (15.8%), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, etc.) (2.4%), Asia (2.3%), Africa (2.3%), South America (1.5%), No answer (0.8%)

Referral to survey: Jenni Rawlings (94.4%), Other (4.4%), No answer (1.2%)

Current or former member of Jenni’s online library: Yes (34.4%), No (64.8%), No Answer (0.8%)

What We Found (Quantitative Data)

The results we’re about to show suggest that a huge change has taken place in the yoga world in terms of attitudes toward online yoga since the pandemic started. This change looks like it will have a lasting impact on how we take and teach yoga classes after the pandemic.

Students’ and Teachers’ Reasons for Not Doing Online Yoga Before the Pandemic

Before the pandemic, 60% of students and 91% of teachers reported not having practiced or taught online yoga. Here were their reasons for not partaking in online yoga:

A similar proportion of students and teachers provided the following reasons:

54% of students and 43% of teachers reported “Lack of personal connection/community”
21% of students and 30% of teachers reported “Not having a good home yoga space”
Only about 10% of students and teachers reported “Questionable quality of instruction”

Teachers were more likely than students to report the following reasons:

Teachers (62%) were over twice as likely to report “It hadn't occurred to me as an option/need” than students (27%)
Teachers (31%) were thirty times more likely to report “Lack of technological prowess” than students (1%)
Teachers (18%) were over three times as likely to report “Questionable safety without supervision” than students (5%)

Meanwhile, students were more likely than teachers to report the following reasons:

Students (48%) were over three times more likely to report “I find it harder to motivate for online” than teachers (15%)

Students (26%) were twice as likely to report “Inability for physical adjustments/assists” than teachers (13%)

Participation in Online Yoga Before, During, and After the Pandemic

Before the pandemic, about 40% of the students surveyed did report practicing online yoga. Conversely, only 9% of teachers taught online before the pandemic. During the pandemic, the percentage of students and teachers engaging in online soared to 91% and 86%, respectively. Of course, if yogis wanted to continue teaching and practice while studios were closed, there was no other option!

The high percentages of teachers and students practicing online during the pandemic were further supported by the data for online yoga frequency. To contextualize these data, we compared the frequency of online yoga during the pandemic to the frequency of in-person yoga from before the pandemic, which we collected in a previous survey of physical touch in yoga with a similar sample.

Based on this comparison, students effectively transitioned their entire pre-pandemic in-person yoga practice to online yoga during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the teachers’ frequency was similar except that much fewer teachers reported instructing five or more times per week online compared to our in-person pre-pandemic data.

Importantly, when we asked yogis whether they would continue practicing online when things return back to normal (or a “new normal”), 82% of students and 75% of teachers indicated that they would. These percentages would represent huge increases from pre-pandemic times (+42% for students and +66% for teachers).

Format of Online Yoga Before, During, and After the Pandemic

Before the pandemic, the vast majority of students taking online yoga did so with recorded classes (e.g. via YouTube or a membership website). During the pandemic, livestreamed group classes took over as the most popular form of online yoga for students (67%), with recorded yoga not far behind (61%). In the future, almost the same percentage of students (60%) expect to continue doing recorded classes, with livestreamed group classes close behind (49%). In addition, 26% of students would like to livestream in-person group classes that are happening at a studio from their home.

As for the teachers, before the pandemic less than 10% were doing any form of online yoga. During the pandemic, livestreamed group classes became the norm with 80% of teachers transitioning to platforms like Zoom, Instagram Live, and Facebook Live. 30% and 26% of teachers also reported teaching recorded classes and livestreamed one-on-ones, respectively, during the pandemic. In the future, more than half of the teachers (54%) expect to continue teaching livestreamed group classes, with about 30% of teachers planning to teach each of the other options.

Payment Types for Yoga for Students and Teachers During the Pandemic

During the pandemic, about half of both students and teachers did yoga classes where students paid a fixed price per class. Meanwhile, both membership sites and free classes were more popular among students (51% and 42%, respectively) than teachers (26% for each). About a quarter of both students and teachers partook in pay-as-you-wish (sliding scale) classes.

Students’ and Teachers’ Changes in Attitude Towards Online Yoga

We asked yogis how their attitude towards online yoga had changed since pre-pandemic times. Less than 10% of the respondents reported a less favorable view now than before the pandemic. In fact, the majority of students (58%) and teachers (71%) reported they viewed online yoga more favorably now. Students were almost twice as likely to report no change in their attitude than teachers. This may have been due to many students already doing online yoga before the pandemic (and therefore viewing it favorably).

A Closer Look at Students’ vs. Teachers’ Anticipated Format of Online Yoga After Pandemic

While we presented the following data separately for students and teachers above, we think it’s helpful to look at the student and teachers “head-to-head” on this point, as the students’ and teachers’ preferred formats don’t align exactly.

About half of both students and teachers expect to continue doing livestreamed group classes in the future. However, when it came to recorded classes, significantly more students (60%) indicated they had a preference for this format compared to teachers (36%).

It’s important to note that students’ high rate of preference for recorded classes could partially be influenced by the fact that the majority of survey respondents (94%) were drawn from Jenni’s audience, and Jenni offers recorded classes on her website herself. Even so, could it be the case that teachers are underestimating the demand for recorded classes? Would they be well-advised to consider offering a mix of both livestream and recorded to meet the reported desires of students?

Aside from these two categories, a little over a quarter of both students and teachers plan to livestream in-person group classes happening at a studio. Finally, the teachers were over six times more likely to plan to conduct livestreamed one-on-ones than the students (32% vs. 5%). (This rather high rate for livestream one-on-one instruction preference by teachers may be inflated compared to the general population of yoga teachers due to the nature of Jenni’s audience.)

What We Found (Qualitative Data)

Advantages of Online Yoga

In their answers to the long-form questions on this survey, both students and teachers reported seeing an abundance of advantages to online yoga.

The most-cited advantage that online yoga offers was convenience. For example, the inherent convenience of no commute to and from class with online yoga was mentioned repeatedly. Many respondents also pointed to the flexibility with which online classes can fit into one’s existing schedule (specifically with recorded formats).

And several teachers mentioned that establishing their technological setup for their online classes was easier than they thought it would be, making it a convenient means of teaching for them.

Another benefit of online yoga frequently mentioned was the ability to take classes with teachers located anywhere. In-person classes limit one’s pool of possible teachers to those who live close by, but online classes remove that barrier and vastly increase the options for whom someone can practice with and learn from.

Many students and teachers reported that online classes feel surprisingly more connected and personal than they originally thought they would. (Although as we’ll see in the next section, other people felt just the opposite – that the lack of community and connection in online classes is an inherent drawback to this style of yoga class delivery.)

One survey respondent wrote, “[Online yoga] has made me create a home space and practice, has made me feel connected to a yoga community, and is generally so accessible.”

Privacy was another advantage to online classes that students frequently mentioned. People noted the value in having the ability to turn one’s camera off if they would rather not be seen (for livestream formats), and one student wrote, “I can wear the same yoga outfit for a week.” :)

There were a few benefits to online classes that were noted specifically by yoga teachers. They mentioned seeing value in the fact that with online yoga, students are not able to compare themselves and their yoga poses to other people as easily, which can create a less competitive environment for a group practice. Teachers also noted that online classes were likely a more welcoming option for students who might otherwise feel intimidated to visit a yoga studio setting in person.

For example, one teacher wrote, “Some students who do not feel confident to attend classes in a physical space due to fear, body size, shyness etc. have been able to try things from the comfort of home and might be encouraged to come to a class in the future.”

Another teacher told us, “People can move in the comfort of their own homes. And have more clear boundaries about when they need to pause or modify, without pressure from other students or teachers.”

When it comes to practicing frequency, our data show that since the pandemic started, people have transitioned the entirety of their practice online, likely without decreasing their frequency. In fact, multiple survey respondents reported practicing yoga more frequently during the pandemic than they were during pre-pandemic times. This could be partly due to the numerous advantages that the online yoga format offers (i.e. convenience). It could also be a factor of the additional time that many people have as the result of living in an era of lockdown.

And last but not least, a main important advantage to online classes cited by many survey respondents was their built-in safety in terms of keeping students protected from contracting or spreading Covid-19.

One teacher summarized the many benefits of online yoga with this reflection: “Real connection IS possible through online formats. It makes the practice accessible to those who cannot leave their homes easily, those who want privacy during practice, those who are intimidated by the studio setting, and those who do not live in my city.”

Drawbacks of Online Yoga

While respondents cited many advantages of online yoga in this survey, they pointed out numerous disadvantages, as well.

In the previous section on “Advantages of Online Yoga,” we noted that many respondents appreciated feeling more of an interpersonal connection through online classes than they originally thought they would. However, this was not the case for everyone and demonstrates how subjective one’s experience in an online class can be. Numerous respondents (both students and teachers) reported feeling dissatisfied with the level of social connection they experienced in online classes, and multiple people mentioned that this lack of a tangible feeling of community made them miss in-person classes more.

A related issue to this lack of social connection was the difficulty on the part of teachers to see the collective group of students they are teaching livestream. This is a barrier to teachers observing and responding to the needs of the group in real-time and can make for a less interactive, personalized experience.

As one respondent mentioned, “As a *teacher* it's impossible to see my students and respond to what I see (ex. group energy flagging, an alignment cue universally misunderstood, etc.)”

Another teacher wrote, “There is no connection to the students. It leaves them wondering ‘am I doing this right?’ And me wondering if they ‘got it.’”

An additional concern mentioned by multiple teachers was the feeling that they have to demonstrate much more of the practice when teaching online as compared to teaching in person, and this extra physical output is more exhausting for them.

Other drawbacks to online yoga noted by respondents included unreliable internet connections causing yoga classes to cut in and out, lower video and audio quality (with livestream options specifically), and the new term “Zoom fatigue” – in which people feel that because they are on Zoom for a good portion of their day for work, they have a hard time motivating to practice yoga through this same software.

One teacher noted that they had older yoga students whom they didn’t believe would be open to using the digital technology required of online yoga. (Interestingly, our survey did find that younger students were slightly more likely to practice online yoga during the pandemic than older students were, but the difference between the older and younger students was small (8%). However, this could be influenced by the fact that the population from which this survey drew were members of an email list or social media – which itself selects for people who are more technologically-savvy.)

Aside from pointing out specific drawbacks to online yoga, there was a distinct attitude on behalf of many respondents that online yoga as a whole is less ideal than in-person yoga classes, but that because online yoga is the only realistic format for yoga classes available in many areas right now (aside from some outdoor in-person classes), we should accept this option and make the best of it.

Comments along these lines included “It’s the best solution to keep the practice going,” “My attitude is that it is better than no yoga but does not match the ‘in-person’ experience,” and from one teacher: “Still don't love it but it's better than nothing. I've adapted and am comfortable with the process but very much missed in person classes and so am offering two physically distant outdoor classes/week.”

Online Yoga Formats (Recorded vs. Livestream, etc.)

Survey respondents offered many opinions on their experience of livestream vs. recorded class options and the advantages and disadvantages of both.

When it came to Zoom and other livestream options, many people cited the accountability factor as an advantage of this format. Because people tend to sign up for livestream classes in advance and because the teacher is present and teaching the class in real-time as students practice, many students feel more motivated to show up and actually take this type of class. Recorded classes, on the other hand, do not have this advantage because they are not restricted to being done at any one specific time.

But this disadvantage of recorded classes can also be seen as an advantage, depending on one’s specific needs. Many people cited the flexibility and ease with which they can fit recorded classes into their schedule as an advantage to this online format. For those with busy schedules, the fact that livestream classes happen at specific times on specific days can be a hindrance in terms of one’s availability.

Another advantage to livestream online classes (specifically Zoom) that was frequently mentioned in this survey was the element of connection and interaction (whereas this aspect is completely lacking in recorded classes). Because Zoom classes happen in real time and both teachers and students have the options to have their audio and video on, there is more opportunity for social interaction inherent with this platform. Additionally, depending on how the teacher arranges their teaching setup, they may be able to watch their students as they practice and offer direct feedback on their movements and alignment in their poses. (Though, as we mentioned above, other teachers find this particularly challenging.)

Respondents also noted that Zoom was an inexpensive option to use, so it did not provide a significant hindrance financially. Some teachers also mentioned that livestreaming classes required less of a time investment than recorded classes because recorded classes require additional time for the editing and uploading of the video file.

One teacher summarized the Zoom option this way: “Zoom is very user friendly, even for the technologically challenged. And I feel live streaming is preferable to sending video links; you still get to see people to connect with them, you can make corrections on their form and alignment, and it makes them commit to showing up.”

Recorded classes had their own set of advantages that survey respondents mentioned. In addition to the aforementioned ease of fitting recorded classes into one’s schedule as a student, some teachers noted that recorded classes were easier on their personal schedule because they could record the class at the most convenient time for them and share it at a later point.

Some respondents also noted that the fact that students can watch recorded classes more than once is an inherent advantage to this format. (Although teachers can record their livestream classes and offer this recording for later viewing, as well.) And while quite a few people mentioned the lack of audio and visual quality of Zoom and other livestream options, this specific disadvantage was not mentioned in relation to recorded classes.

Additionally, as mentioned in the previous section, there were some reports of “Zoom fatigue” wherein some people are simply burned out on this platform because they spend so much time on it during their work hours.

One student summarized her experience this way: “I view pre-recorded edited yoga more favorably, I sorta have had it with live stream group zoom because of glitches and quality plus I'm on zoom all day from school so i just had to stop for my sanity. I'll do live streamed group classes again if needed... need a break right now!!”

Things to Keep in Mind

The results of this survey were strengthened by a large number of respondents (659) and a wide age range (20 to 78). In addition, the mix of both open-ended and closed-ended questions provided a rich data set to explore these topics. A major limitation of this survey was that the majority of survey respondents were North American (75%) and female (92%). Moreover, 94% of respondents follow Jenni on social media or subscribe to her email newsletter, and 34% of respondents were current or former members of Jenni’s online class library.

To investigate whether the large proportion of online library members skewed our data, we conducted subgroup analyses to compare members and non-members. As expected, we found that student respondents who were online library members were more likely to have practiced recorded online yoga through a membership site before and during the pandemic. However, removing those students would only affect the reported data by 3%-8%, which would not change the interpretation of any of our findings. (For example, 40% of all student respondents reported doing online yoga before the pandemic. For non-member students only, that value was 33%.) Furthermore, the teacher respondents who were members of Jennis online library were not statistically significantly different from non-member teachers.

In summary, the yogis who participated in this survey may not reflect the general yoga population. Therefore, the results may not be generalizable to demographics not well represented by the sample (e.g males yogis, yogis outside North America, and yogis who don’t follow Jenni). That said, if you’re reading this, you probably know Jenni (or know someone who knows Jenni), which makes it more likely that these results are relevant to you as a member of this specific yoga community! Nevertheless, to reduce the risk of bias, we recommend future surveys be conducted with random sampling.

Conclusion

Although we're all keenly aware of the rising role that online yoga is playing right now, these survey results reveal just how striking the change in both participation and attitude toward online yoga has been since the start of the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, less than 10% of yoga teachers taught online. Yet during the pandemic, a full 86% of teachers report having offered online classes. Before the pandemic, 41% of students practiced online (many of them infrequently), but during the pandemic, 91% are practicing online (and quite regularly too, with the majority of students reporting taking multiple online classes per week).

Before the pandemic, a majority of students and teachers did not participate in online yoga for a variety of reasons. But now that online yoga has been forced on the yoga world due to our global circumstances, most yogis have adapted to this new reality with relative ease. And although the general consensus seems to be that in-person classes are still ideal, a majority of yogis view online yoga more favorably than they did pre-pandemic, and many report discovering significant advantages to online yoga they had not been aware of before.

Online yoga is in fact perceived so favorably today that 3 in 4 teachers plan to continue offering online classes and 4 in 5 students intend to continue practicing online post-pandemic. (Of course, plans can change, and it would be interesting to follow up in the future to see what’s actually happening.)

As we move forward through this pandemic and toward an eventual “new normal” afterward, yoga teachers will have important decisions to make about their yoga class formats in a post-pandemic world.

One particular insight from this survey that may be of value in this regard is that a majority of students said they enjoy practicing to recorded classes and have active accounts with yoga class membership sites or apps. However, a much lower percentage of teachers said they planned on teaching recorded classes. This survey therefore suggests that recorded classes and membership sites might serve as opportunities for teachers to meet a demand that they may not have realized exists, at least as indicated by the cohort of students in this survey.

In any case, about half of students did report that they planned on taking livestream group classes post-pandemic, so student preferences for format do appear wide-ranging. A mix of options may be the best means for teachers to serve their student bases.

We hope that the results of this survey provide some valuable insight for our yoga community as we all navigate these unprecedented transitions together.

About the Co-Author

Travis Pollen is an author, personal trainer, and PhD in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. His research focuses on core stability, movement screening, training load, and injury risk appraisal. He also holds a master’s degree in Biomechanics and Movement Science along with an American record in Paralympic swimming. He’s been a yoga student for 15 years. Website | Instagram | Facebook