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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if yoga is becoming less popular now?

90 replies

GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 14:10

I have been practicing for 8 years. We had one local class, a kind of fast ashtanga with a pretty dire teacher for a few years, which I stopped attending after 6 months.
Around 2019 our local class count grew to around 5, mostly nameless types which just endlessly went through sun salutations for an hour.

The popularity seemed to grow rapidly through lockdowns and has now petered out altogether. The original class finally shut it's doors a few weeks ago. No one here seems to be bothered anymore.

Has anyone else noticed this?
I know a lot of these things are prone to fashion and fads, but I do sense a general drop in interest all around in the past year or so. Online spaces that chat about yoga seem less lively too.

I am wondering if there is a new thing people are getting in to, perhaps?
I asked two people that I am familiar with why they stopped going to classes, and one said she had a small knee injury that grew worse with her teacher's instruction to ease it.
The other said she felt more at home with pilates.

Anyone else noticed it?

OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:21

I have perhaps seen a version of pilates that no one else has?
There are plenty images and videos online with mechanical assistance in pilates, is it 'reformer'? I am not sure, but unless machine is the incorrect term, it isn't too hard to find!

OP posts:
PeloMom · 22/10/2024 16:22

Sounds like your original place sucked so lost clients. I haven’t noticed dwindling, quite the opposite. However the instructors have to be good and engaging, not just going through the motions as described in OP.

EgyptionJackal · 22/10/2024 16:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

PeloMom · 22/10/2024 16:23

GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:21

I have perhaps seen a version of pilates that no one else has?
There are plenty images and videos online with mechanical assistance in pilates, is it 'reformer'? I am not sure, but unless machine is the incorrect term, it isn't too hard to find!

You’re talking about the reformer Pilates - that’s the one with machines. There are Pilates classes that are on the floor and with very little if any equipment.

Mysticguru · 22/10/2024 16:23

I'm in the SE.

I attend two yoga classes a week @ £10 each. Always full and you have to book early.

Original poster
GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:24

Here we are, the 'machines'. Perhaps it is an esoteric type of pilates that mumsnet hasn't heard of Grin

To wonder if yoga is becoming less popular now?
OP posts:
Original poster
GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:25

PeloMom · 22/10/2024 16:23

You’re talking about the reformer Pilates - that’s the one with machines. There are Pilates classes that are on the floor and with very little if any equipment.

Show quote history

Thanks! Yes, they scare me a bit, but would love to find out more. Some people here take things so seriously!

OP posts:
Wexone · 22/10/2024 16:26

I dunno there is yoga down on the beach nearly every Saturday near me - its 10e a go and she has at least 20 each time. She also does other beaches aswell. I don't go as its outside - too cold for me. I used to go to another class one eve i like it but she went so fast i couldn't keep up nor know ew if was doing it right or not so stopped going - i do it online now as its my own pace

HelenHywater · 22/10/2024 16:26

My studio has introduced pilates classes now and they are always full. . I haven't noticed any reduction in attendance to yoga, but the classes aren't as popular as the pilates ones which are always waitlist only.

I still go to yoga but have added pilates into my routine

DinahSlade · 22/10/2024 16:28

I used to do yoga until about 7 years ago but have since moved on to pilates which I much prefer.

NewName24 · 22/10/2024 16:29

Another who would say 'quite the opposite'.

You can't have a scroll through Facebook here without a class being advertised.

Original poster
GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:31

Interesting to hear people mention bad teachers or issues from yoga. I would love to learn more about that. Are people becoming more aware of it now compared to previously?

How is focusing on flexibility dangerous? Perhaps if it is to the exclusion of strength then yes, it would be.

I must admit that over the years I get less of a buzz from my practice. I used to always feel invigorated or deeply relaxed after a session, but it feels a little flat this past year. I do add new things to keep it fresh but I feel a bit sad that something has kind of 'worn off' and it doesn't excite me as much anymore.

I still keep at it as I love the strength and physical 'certainty' that I feel with a regular practice.

OP posts:
BunfightBetty · 22/10/2024 16:31

Pilates, reformer Pilates and Barre seem more the thing where I am (SW London), though still plenty of yoga classes to choose from.

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 22/10/2024 16:32

I do mine 4 times a week online. Maybe a lot of people prefer this now.

irregularegular · 22/10/2024 16:34

The classes at my local yoga club seem to be as numerous and full as ever, if not more so.

Delatron · 22/10/2024 16:37

GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:24

Here we are, the 'machines'. Perhaps it is an esoteric type of pilates that mumsnet hasn't heard of Grin

Yes reformer Pilates is Pilates. There’s mat Pilates and reformer.

Reformer Pilates is still a classical version of Pilates as taught by Joseph Pilates. But there really should not be these huge classes with loads of reformers - they can be dangerous and need a lot of attention from the instructor to make sure people are doing it right.

Delatron · 22/10/2024 16:42

GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:31

Interesting to hear people mention bad teachers or issues from yoga. I would love to learn more about that. Are people becoming more aware of it now compared to previously?

How is focusing on flexibility dangerous? Perhaps if it is to the exclusion of strength then yes, it would be.

I must admit that over the years I get less of a buzz from my practice. I used to always feel invigorated or deeply relaxed after a session, but it feels a little flat this past year. I do add new things to keep it fresh but I feel a bit sad that something has kind of 'worn off' and it doesn't excite me as much anymore.

I still keep at it as I love the strength and physical 'certainty' that I feel with a regular practice.

I think with the wrong instructor pushing someone in to a position that is beyond their flexibility can cause issues. Torn muscles for example.

Also, everyone has a personal level of flexibility. If you could never touch your toes then that’s fine. Just maintain what is normal for you.

Occasionally in yoga you get super flexible people (who are just born like that so not really impressive) and that seems to be the goal with advanced poses.

In Pilates you just need to be strong to get to the advanced levels. And strength is more important than being super flexible. Flexibility without strength to back it up is not good. It’s just hyper mobility.

greengreyblue · 22/10/2024 16:44

Oh have never heard of Pilates with machines! I’ve been to several classes and it was similar to yoga.

Original poster
GardenDreams · 22/10/2024 16:46

I would be interested in the mat pilates, so shall look into that.

Thanks for the explanations!

OP posts:
OkyDoke · 22/10/2024 16:46

Can anyone recommend any YouTube channels for pilates please?

Idontlikeyou · 22/10/2024 16:47

Plenty of both here (rural area), many yoga classes, mat Pilates and a new Reformer Pilates studio has opened.

I recently started a yoga class but had to abandon due to a non Yoga injury but will restart next year. I like the meditative side.

I also really like mat Pilates and used to do it regularly. But they have different breathing and I get very confused between the two.

But plenty of choice to be had.

PaminaMozart · 22/10/2024 16:50

I prefer weight training with (heavy) dumbbells over pilates. More straightforward and effective I think. Try Caroline Girvan...

But I also do a lot of yoga-type stretching, courtesy of Kassandra and Livingleggings. Add in Growingannanas for HIIT and I'm sorted. At 70 I'm not doing too badly...

He11oKitty · 22/10/2024 16:50

I used to go to yoga where I lived before but moved here and haven’t found a class I liked. Some were too “spiritual” ie chanting and incense, really not for me. Others were not super helpful for me, I have injuries and I can’t do some poses and they were a bit sniffy about it. I don’t want to damage my body and I don’t want a hyper competitive “push yourself to the limit” space, I get enough of that at work! One had a creepy man instructor who kept touching my body in a way I find hard to articulate but felt uncomfortable.

the yin yoga class I used to go to was soooo good, and I miss it a lot! The instructor put on modern music like lana del ray etc and was really chilled out and just told us to “relax into the pose” and would tell us off for trying to hard! (In yin yoga you hold a pose for ages). I may have had a platonic crush on her. It was full of type A people trying to relax and it was so theraputic, plus I did get stronger and more flexible. It felt like such a companionable space.

I do need to do something though 😆

Cheeseandcrackers40 · 22/10/2024 16:51

Delatron · 22/10/2024 16:42

I think with the wrong instructor pushing someone in to a position that is beyond their flexibility can cause issues. Torn muscles for example.

Also, everyone has a personal level of flexibility. If you could never touch your toes then that’s fine. Just maintain what is normal for you.

Occasionally in yoga you get super flexible people (who are just born like that so not really impressive) and that seems to be the goal with advanced poses.

In Pilates you just need to be strong to get to the advanced levels. And strength is more important than being super flexible. Flexibility without strength to back it up is not good. It’s just hyper mobility.

Show quote history

This is why proper instruction is important, your instructor should tell you which muscles to engage in the postures and should encourage you to prioritise alignment over depth. I remind people that their less flexible side is their stronger side 😊.

I've been practicing for 17 years and did yoga teacher training earlier this year. I'm now teaching 1-2 classes a week alongside my regular job. I love connecting with people. I know some people are put off by the spiritual side of yoga but that's a big draw for me, it really helps me regulate my moods and overall mental health. I love that moment at the end of the class when people open their eyes after savasana and you can feel the calm in the room 🧘‍♀️

bryceQ · 22/10/2024 16:51

I have a yoga studio, our revenue is higher than ever. There are more teachers locally than ever before but many struggle to build sustainable classes. The marketing side is really time consuming now especially with so much competition. I think people have a view that it's a nice job and don't realise how labour intensive it is.

I see a lot more fusion classes with pilates, Qi Gong, breathwork, sound bowls etc. I think we are getting further and further from yogic tradition but that's a different discussion.