We’re delighted to share this insight from Ingrid Melvær Paulin, our in-house behavioral scientist and Director of Research and Product Strategy, on why we created My Studio and how social connection, community, and consistency shape our motivation to practice each day.
Consistently making time for movement and wellness is one of the strongest predictors of health and mental well-being, but it can also be one of the hardest things to achieve. At Glo, we want to make sure every member feels supported in creating a practice that feels sustainable every day.
As a behavioral scientist, I’ve spent more than a decade studying how people form and sustain meaningful health and wellness habits. As Glo’s head of insights and product strategy, I’ve also had the privilege of hearing about what makes a yoga practice easier and more meaningful from thousands of members.
So often, we know that a consistent practice will help us feel stronger, less stressed, and more connected. We might care deeply about the practice and be motivated to maintain it, but challenges such as not knowing where to start or feeling alone in your practice can still get in the way.
When we designed My Studio, we wanted to create something that is more than just a schedule: we wanted to build a supportive structure for your practice.
Practicing online has a lot of benefits, but social connection and community can be an important motivator to continue to show up. With My Studio, we wanted to introduce a social element to Glo, allowing members to practice together. Studies have shown that practicing with others can positively affect both starting a new habit, how often you do it, and how enjoyable people find it. One study by Seino et al. (2019) found that compared to those who exercised alone, those who exercised with others were 32% more likely to reach recommended physical activity goals and 45% more likely to have good mental health.
Another important aspect of My Studio is the schedule. We wanted to replicate the predictable, yet flexible, schedule of a physical studio: Each week, you’ll find classes with themes by your favorite teachers, so whether you’re looking for a powerful morning vinyasa, a class for seniors a teacher’s practice, a flow with your favorite teacher, a prenatal class or an evening wind-down – My Studio will have something you can return to each week. When we simplify the daily decision of what to do or when to do it, we free up mental energy for how we want to show up. My Studio’s weekly rhythm provides the gentle guidance of classes curated into clear time slots, while still allowing you to practice when it fits your day.
Science tells us that consistent practice is not built in grand gestures, but in repeated, meaningful moments. My Studio is designed to be a space for those moments. We hope you’ll choose to join our community there, as we grow our practice one week at a time.
Written by: Ingrid Melvær Paulin, Director of Research & Product Strategy at Glo
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