There’s no question yoga has become one of the most popular fitness activities in recent years. We've incorporated it into our daily lives and culture - Instagram is flooded with young yogis and teachers doing various poses, we dabble in meditation, and even yoga clothing for the office has become a recent trend.

Studios and facilities have popped up all over the world, too. Yoga class passes have become as popular as gym memberships. There are multiple styles of yoga - some that include chanting or sweating while others are straightforward stretch classes, depending on where your interest lies. Some teachers even give outdoor classes in local parks and green spaces.

While many of us have grown used to taking yoga classes with others, the focus is on the individual's own progress. Each person practices at a different level in accordance with his or her own body requirements. Practicing with a class is not important, except if you are motivated by the social aspect of attending a class.

Instead, you might consider joining some online yoga programs. Following are some advantages of this method:

Lower cost. This is probably the biggest benefit whether you are a beginner or veteran yogi. Online classes are a fraction of the price of an in-person class, so if you have been wanting to try it but it seems too expensive, or the equipment and clothing costs too much, then you can save money by practicing in your own home.

Can choose your coach, including those not in your city. This is a huge benefit as well – some people aren’t able to commute to take the yoga classes from instructors they like. And with a few celebrity instructors that attract people from all over the world, it can be difficult to find something similar close by. Instead, you can go online and take classes from the instructor you like, or the type of yoga you prefer, regardless of where you are.

Accessible anytime, so you don’t have to adjust your schedule. Do you have a demanding job that means you can’t commit to a regular yoga practice? Are you taking care of a family, so you aren’t able to make classes at the times your studio offers? Online yoga is a good answer. You can take a yoga class at 3:00am if you want – nobody is stopping you.

Practice in private. Are you uncomfortable starting yoga when you aren't familiar with any poses? Or do you feel intimidated in a class? With online yoga, you can practice in the privacy of your home. This also means that you can fall, make mistakes, and do some poses over and over again if you’d like. There’s a freedom to online yoga classes that don’t stick to the rigid schedule class instructors have to abide by.

There are several advantages to choosing online yoga classes, so feel free to give them a try!