Why Studio Yoga Beats Gym Yoga

Sadly, there is a difference.

And sadly it comes down to quality.

Now this isn't a super hard and fast rule. But on average, you'll get less yoga quality from gym yoga teachers. And here's why...

Gym yoga teachers have backgrounds that are diluted with other disciplines.

Yep, gym yoga teachers are more likely to be supplementing their incomes by adding another discipline to their teaching repertoire.

Whereas, studio teachers will likely be yoga only teachers.

Now if you are thinking, that having a teacher who is across other disciplines is better. You'd be mistaken. When you dilute yoga, you are making the yoga weaker. Guaranteed.

This isn't being pro-yoga or egotistical or gymophobic (yes, you can use that word I just made up). And it's not saying that yoga is better than this or that discipline.

Yoga does however, have one quality that is unique...

I'll explain this in another post but

yoga translates better into other disciplines,

than other disciplines translate into yoga. 

Weird, but true. And this is why yoga is a great addition to any athletes training (as professional football players are finding out).

So when your gym yoga teacher starts incorporating pilates or climbing or whatever moves into their yoga class, they are actually reducing the benefits you could be receiving.

Once again, this isn't saying yoga is better. It is saying that asymmetrical benefits exist. And to maximize those benefits, you need to do yoga when practicing yoga.

Re-read that 'translation' sentence.

Now, where were we? Oh yeah, studio vs gym.

Remember, the studio is specializing, while the gym is generalizing. There's a universe of difference.

Now all this may not be super apparent when beginning yoga. But as you start to progress you'll notice the diff. AND if you do progress, then at some stage you'll likely transition from a gym to a studio.

What About Mind - Body Studios?

Lately, there's a lot of mind, body studios popping up. They aren't full on gyms, and they are not full on studios either (although I'm sure they'd beg to differ).

However, if they have a dedicated yoga room, then there's no excuse for less than studio quality yoga. And you should hold them to this standard.

The rule with mind body studios is that the more they can separate their yoga from pilates, barre etc, the better quality the yoga.

Check out their timetables. If the yoga teachers also teach other disciplines, then the yoga quality will be down.

Wrap Up

Yoga teachers who are into yoga, will want to teach at studios (snobby, but true). This isn't to say that you won't find a good teacher at a gym. It's just on average, you'll find more yoga only teachers at studios.

New yoga teachers might take a gig at a gym when starting out. But if they are any good, they'll move onto studios in time. This is an internal thing, that they themselves will want to pursue. They'll be drawn to it.

Think of this as a progression. And it's the same for both students and teachers. The more they each gets into yoga, the less important other disciplines become and the more they look for yoga...which they'll find maximized at studios.

And because yoga translates to other disciplines better than other disciplines translate to yoga, studio yoga is less likely to dilute yoga.

The result is that (on average) studios offer better quality yoga.

My work is complete, J