8 Prague-based online yoga classes for finding your quarantine bliss

While many of us have drastically changed how and when we work out due to the large-scale closure of fitness studios in Prague and the Czech Republic, the truth is that now more than ever we need to keep physically and mentally fit. By and far yoga, with its mix of focused breathing and core-strengthening poses, is the perfect exercise for managing quarantine-related stress.

Whether you already attend yoga classes in Prague or simply have extra time to start — or return to — the practice, a number of local teachers and studios in Prague have moved their classes online. Joining one of them will not only help you cope with quarantine but support the local yoga scene in the process.

We spoke with one Prague-based yoga teacher who is currently teaching live classes during the government-mandated closures of fitness studios (which some sources say could be the last businesses to reopen). Karina Bolan, says she wanted to find a way to reach her students personally and create as much of a typical classroom atmosphere as possible.

“I wanted to include a human element and offer a more personal experience than just following a YouTube video. We have a two-way interaction where students can ask questions during class, and I can see and assist them, so this model works for students of all levels, including beginners,” Bolan tells us.

Pre-recorded sessions (e.g. on YouTube) that you can watch anytime or live streaming sessions taking place at a set time on Facebook Live or Instagram live and backed up on YouTube are currently popular methods of doing yoga remotely. These classes are mostly free, or by donation.

You can also sign up for an online classroom such as Bolan’s, a two-way experience designed for smaller groups that let you interact with the teacher. These are typically paid for, either with a set fee or by donation, and use a video-conferencing application like Zoom or Skype.

As many studios are only just getting their online offerings up and running, more options should appear in the coming weeks, so it’s worth checking in with your regular teacher or studio to see what they’re offering, says Bolan.

This list of Prague yoga studios reflects a mix of paid and free classes, though Bolan tells us that most teachers and studios who are charging for classes are also offering some sort of free sessions for students who can’t afford to pay right now, adding “There’s no excuse not to get moving and breathing!” Here are suggestions for English-friendly Prague-based yoga classes that have transitioned online for the time being: