5 Yoga/Meditation Apps You NEED

I'm all about disconnecting from time to time and getting out into nature, but how about some helpful yoga and meditation apps that let you disconnect while staying on the wifi? 

As a IT/IS person by day and a yogi/dancer by night I've tried my fair share of "mindful" apps. The following are the ones I find I actually use and don't just take up space! (lol) Best of all these are FREE!

Down Dog
Even though I am a yoga instructor, sometimes there's just something about having someone else guide your flow. When I don't want to sequence for myself, I'll pop in my allotted time flow along with the yogi on my phone. My favorite feature? Being able to choose the style of yoga that I'm feeling in that moment (including vinyasa, restorative, or "no flow" --skipping those chaturangas) and the level of practice. 

I only have the FREE version right now, but be aware there is a purchasable version that lets you adjust more options including the music. 

PranayamaFree
This app is so simple to use! You'll see what looks like a pie chart that slowly fills in based on the length of the inhale and exhale. There are options to "sustain/retain" or hold the breath as part of the pie chart or not. You can increase or decrease the speed as well as adjust the music style. I love that there's a little calendar that will keep track of when you have completed your practices. 

Meditation
This was one of the first meditation apps I downloaded. I love the calming blue color scheme and little inspirational quote when you first start the app. There's a great 7 day beginner course and a "meditation of the day" every day. The daily meditation recycles previously "used" meditations, but you can always take them deeper and longer. Of course you could upgrade and purchase the full version if you want more content. ​

​Om Mantra HD
This one is fairly new for me. I was searching for a meditation/yoga timer so I wouldn't have to keep track of time while I was doing mah thing! This app lets you set timers as low as 1 minute up to 2 hours or no timer at all and the soothing sounds will just keep playing. There are eight different sounds, mostly a version of "OM", with optional rain, wind and sitar noises for each track. I LOVE this app for practicing yin yoga so I can keep track how long I was in a pose, without having to track it. (lol)

Since this app is FREE, you will encounter the occasional clickable advertisements to cancel and a banner at the top of the screen now and again. 

Aware
This app has SO MUCH content. I suggest starting with the "Foundation" course, which has several guided meditations. Every day you complete a practice, a new practice will open the next day. I also enjoy the "Ambient Sounds" tool for personal meditation practices. This app also has a breath work tool as well as "master classes"; including managing anxiety, improving focus, and even some tips on sports recovery. 

I'm a samsung user, so I know all of these apps are available in the Google Play store. I hope you find one or two that will aid your practice. <3

- Jenn Rose 
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(Yoga Photo by Kelly Russo on Unsplash)
(Phone Photo by Przemyslaw Marczynski on Unsplash)