The global relaunch of Peloton yoga, which happened earlier last year, meant the expansion of Peloton Yoga’s instructor roster. Now with an expanded yoga instructor roster of nine (previously, it was only six), there’s a whole lot more yoga content to go around on the Peloton app. Parade.com caught up with Peloton yoga Instructor Kristin McGee to learn more about what makes Peloton yoga so special, plus her top tips for yogis of all levels. “The redesign really helped build a space that feels warm and welcoming and helps the students and community really see the instructor shine,” McGee says. “It also has a really neat aesthetic and speaks to the flow, grace and unity that yoga brings. I think it will welcome even more members to our community and really show them how beneficial yoga and meditation can be to their lives.”
The five elements of Peloton yoga
Speaking of the benefits of yoga and meditation, Peloton yoga is also integrating a new breakdown for its classes as part of the relaunch with the hopes that these five unique sectors will grant more accessibility to members of all levels who are looking for a purpose-driven, all-encompassing yoga experience. The five elements of Peloton yoga are foundation, power, focus, recovery and unity. “Restful workouts and meditation are really important for recovery and focus,” McGee explains. “Many athletes use yoga to help with strength, balance, breathing techniques, flexibility and focus. Yoga is non-competitive. As great as it can be to build the competitive edge with cycling or running, it’s also nice to have a place where you don’t have to climb the leaderboard or compete.” These five elements help to accomplish just that. According to a press release from Peloton, the foundation element “serves as your base,” helping yogis learn core poses, take traditional flow-style classes, and tap into quick, on-the-go sequences like Standing Yoga and stretching. The power element prioritizes faster flows, allowing challenge-seeking yogis to create heat in their practice and sweat while the Focus Element emphasizes the refining of poses in a specific part of your practice. The focus element of Peloton yoga is about diving deep into specific poses, body parts, or even moods. When it comes to the recovery element of Peloton yoga, think: Rest day. As the name suggests, it’s all about recovery: slowing down, turning inward, breathing in and out, and allowing your muscles and joints (and mind!) to reset. Lastly, the unity element of peloton yoga seeks to create that feeling of community that Peloton has become known for. Sure, yoga practice can be deeply personal and solo for many (especially when you’re alone in your living room, practicing alongside the app), but peloton yoga will now include classes in their artist series, holiday-themed classes, family-friendly content, “breathe in, speak up” series, cultural events, and even prenatal and postnatal classes.
Kristin McGee’s top yoga tips for beginners
There’s a lot to get excited about when it comes to Peloton yoga, but if you’re not sure of how to better incorporate yoga and meditation into your daily routine—in conjunction with your regular running and biking Peloton routine—McGee has some pretty great tips for getting into the yogi mindset. Yes, even if you’re a beginner! Tip 1: Find little pockets of time for poses “I love to do a few postures and sun salutations first thing in the morning to really wake up my body,” says McGee. “I also incorporate standing yoga postures when I’m with my boys as well as chair yoga postures when I’m stuck at my desk,” McGee says. “I love to finish my day with gentle yoga and some meditation to wind down.” Tip 2: When it comes to meditation, go easy on yourself. “Meditation is designed to help us develop a relationship with ourselves, so it’s important to remember not to beat yourself up if your mind wanders or you need to shift your seat,” McGee explains. “It’s natural to have thoughts, and the goal of meditation isn’t to eliminate them, but to just allow them to take up less space or require our energy.” Tip 3: Remember that you don’t have to do yoga for hours a day. “I think even a downward dog a day can make such a difference,” McGee says. “I advise students to find the time that works best for them and to remember that any time on the mat is beneficial. It doesn’t have to be hours!” Next up, check out the best Peloton rides for rest day.
