App review: DownDog - perfect yoga (and more) app for introverts

In one of my previous blog posts I wrote about my journey to explore sports and more importantly which sports were the right ones for me. Check the post out here.

One type of movement in particular is very important to me. That is yoga. I've started actively practicing quite some years ago. Although I'm not the most flexible person, I found a lot of comfort, relaxation, and success in it. I find comfort in yoga, after sitting so many hours in front of my computer I can finally stretch, twist and move my body. I also find relaxation in it, by really feeling my body and allowing it to slow down and get some rest. Lastly, over the years I've found success in it. As I gradually became better in certain poses, being able to balance more and feeling the strength of my body as it holds itself in those poses. Yoga gives a lot of joy, rest and mindfulness to me.

Initially, I started to join group sessions close to my apartment back in Budapest. While it was a nice community and a great teacher, I really didn't enjoy going there, being around random people, just having so many of them around me… My introverted self just craved peace and quiet and alone time at the end of a long working day. So I started looking for other options and that is how I came across the DownDog App. This is the ultimate yoga app for introverts - to me.

DownDog I believe started off as an app (available on both Android and IOS) to practice yoga. Over the years they've grown tremendously and have other apps in the family. More on that later. The idea is simple: based on the criteria you select, the app generates a high quality video workout. The videos flow naturally from movement to movement and give a lot of options. I've been in love with the app so much, that I'm making use of many in the DownDog family. And the great thing is that if you subscribe for one app, you get access to all of them.

DownDog Yoga

This is my absolute favorite and one that I couldn't live without. The app is just amazing. I go to my attic, or roll out my yoga mat in the garden, at any time of the day, and I can just do my practice.

Features: There are so many options to tailor your practice to your needs:

• Type of session: from hatha to yin or just a general yoga flow, you can choose from many options. I've even made use of the chair yoga at times, when on business trip and without proper equipment to do my practice.

• Music: a variety of music genres are available so you can pick what resonates with you the most.

• Length: it allows you to set the length of your practice and meditation after so no matter how much time you have, you can have a great yoga experience.

• Boosts: this is my favorite. You can select focus areas, like balance or twists or stretching certain parts of your body. I generally suffer from upper back pain and the twists and neck stretches are just the perfect remedy for me. Other times, after a weigh training I really want to stretch out my legs and arms, so I can generate a video that would allow me to do just that.

• Great quality video, smooth flow, good instructions: it almost feels like having your very own yoga teacher taking you through a unique practice. If I like certain poses, I can save those, so the algorithm includes it in my practices more often. Yet, I never had the feeling that I did the same exact practice twice.

There are plenty of other apps in the family to check out:

• DownDog Barre: I tried the app and was pleasantly surprised. It is challenging but enjoyable. After some weeks of regular practice I started seeing the results, becoming a bit more toned already. No need for special equipment, you can just work out with a chair and mat.

• DownDog HIIT: If you hate being with 20+ random people in a sweaty and smelly gym group room to jump around as much as I do, this is perfect to get a good calorie burning exercise in the comfort of your home.

• DownDog Pilates: A great alternative of the barre or yoga app if you're looking for ways to tone your muscles.

• DownDog Meditation: To me this app was the least enjoyable. I enjoyed the body scan but the rest of the talking during the guided meditation was simply distracting to me. Nonetheless, it may be perfectly great for others and I just have a weird taste for meditation.

• DownDog Prenatal: I never tried this app.

I'm not affiliated in any way with DownDog and it is from pure enjoyment of their apps that I wanted to share my experience. As an introvert, for me DownDog is a really amazing way to maintain my health and wellbeing without having to push myself to participate in classes or pay huge sums for a personal trainer. I appreciate it is not a solution for all health needs and for some it is the best to seek professional support, and please do so if you are uncertain about working out at home alone. It is wise to consult a health professional as well, to avoid any injuries.

DownDog really enabled me to do a good variety of sports and within that a good variety of exercises that fits well in my schedule and with what I am comfortable with. If you are a fellow introvert, looking to stretch and tone your muscles, this may be a good solution to you as well.

Feel free to share fitness apps that impressed you a lot.