When it comes to working out, getting started can often be the hardest part. While it might be tough to picture yourself leaping out the door to run a mile — let alone five or 10 — or picking up a dumbbell, there are easier ways to increase your physical activity without going all in.
Enter yoga.
The art of yoga dates back thousands of years to India, although you may know it as one of the trendiest workouts for young urban professionals and suburban moms. While it may be associated with certain affluent groups, yoga is for everyone. It’s also one of the most affordable ways to work out with one of the lowest physical barriers to entry. After all, all you need is a mat.
While in the past you would have been required to practice under the in-person tutelage of a trained yoga master, the age of the internet has brought nearly unlimited flows (a term for a specific yoga sequence) to your fingertips.
On YouTube, you can find enough guided yoga videos to satiate you for years. You can start from square one and become an expert without ever having to pay for a class.
But with so many options, it can be hard to choose the right one. Here is a guide to three great YouTube yoga channels, two of which are run by Jewish creators.
Yoga With Adriene
Adriene Mishler is unquestionably the most famous yogi on YouTube. Boasting 13.3 million subscribers, she has become the go-to for many beginner, intermediate and expert yogis alike. Her father is Jewish, and while she isn’t exactly mentioning the Talmud in her videos, it is nice to feel comfortable around someone who is at least a member of the tribe when it comes to lineage. Adriene has a yoga video for every occasion, skill level, age and any other qualifying factor you can think of. Check out her playlists that cater to office workers, those who suffer from vertigo and glaucoma, triathlon runners and even soon-to-be newlyweds. Regardless of what you’re looking for in your yoga practice, Adriene has it.
Institute for Jewish Spirituality — Yoga Studio With Cantor Lizzie Shammash
Want to dial up the Judaism a little bit? Check out this series with Cantor Lizzie Shammash on the Institute for Jewish Spirituality channel. There aren’t as many videos available in this playlist as there are on Adriene’s channel, but there are still nearly 200, with the most recent one coming out earlier this month. Lizzie Shammash’s videos are great because they combine the art of yoga with the values and practices of Jewish worship. While some may prefer to just work out, others might want an injection of spirituality, too. Here, you can get that. She also streams live, which can offer an even deeper connection point as you join in with other fans of yoga at the same time from different parts of the world.
Yoga With Tim
While the titular Tim may not be Jewish (at least he doesn’t appear to be, based on what’s available on Google), he brings a funny, calm energy to yoga practice that helps make any beginner journey an easy one. While some YouTube yogis may lean too heavily on the serious side of things, Tim keeps it light with the occasional joke and lots of smiles. Not to mention, his videos are almost always filmed in front of stunning backdrops that can help set the mood, whether you’re joining from your living room, backyard or somewhere else. If you want an entry-level approach to yoga that will leave you feeling comfortable no matter how new you are to the practice, check out Yoga With Tim.
If you think you’d like to try out yoga from any of these channels, or any other source, start simple. There are plenty of 20-minute flows that will give you an idea of what you’re getting into and provide you a bit of mindfulness without going pedal to the metal to start. From there, venture into longer videos! Eventually, you’ll be practiced enough to lead your own yoga sessions without any help, if you so choose.
No matter what you opt for, make sure to let out a big “om!”