Yoga is a great way to improve your physical and mental health, but sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated or find the time to practice. That’s why some people are turning to yoga video games, which use technology to make yoga more fun and interactive. In this article, we will review three yoga games that I tried and share my experience with each one.
Table of Contents
30 day Yoga Game Challenge
YOGA MASTER
The first game I played is YOGA MASTER, a PC or Nintendo game that uses your webcam (or joy cons) to detect your position and give you a score based on how well you perform each pose. The game has a variety of levels and themes, such as beach, forest, or space, and you can choose from different instructors and music styles. You can also set how long you would like to hold each pose and even build your own sequence.
I liked that the game was easy to set up and had a lot of options to customize your session. The graphics and sound were also nice and relaxing. However, I also encountered some problems with the game. First of all, it was not very good at detecting any movements on the floor, such as downward dog or child’s pose. It often failed to recognize my position even if I was doing it correctly. Secondly, between each pose, it always brought me back to the starting standing position, which was kind of annoying and interrupted the flow of the session.
I managed to complete the first 10 days of the game and averaged about 15 minutes per day. Will I play this game ever again and would I recommend buying it? Probably not. I think it’s a good idea in theory, but it needs more improvement in terms of accuracy and user experience.
Ring Fit Adventure
The second game I tried is Ring Fit Adventure, a Nintendo Switch game that comes with a ring-shaped controller and a leg strap that hold the Joy-Con controllers. The game is a fitness adventure that combines jogging, strength, abs, and yoga movements. You can play it in different modes, such as adventure mode, which is a story-based campaign where you fight enemies with your exercises; quick play mode, where you can choose from various mini-games and challenges; or custom mode, where you can create your own workout routine.
I was impressed by how well the game tracked my movements despite just having the two Joy-Con controllers and a ring. The game was also very engaging and fun, with colorful graphics, catchy music, and humorous characters. The ring controller was also surprisingly versatile and responsive, allowing me to do different exercises with different levels of resistance.
However, I found that the adventure mode was not very suitable for me, as it involved a lot of running on the spot, which started to hurt my knees after a few days. Instead, I focused on the yoga arcade mode, which had a selection of yoga poses that you could do in different environments. I liked that the game gave me feedback on my form and alignment, as well as tips on how to breathe and relax.
I played this game for the next 10 days and averaged about 20 minutes per day. Will I play this game ever again and would I recommend it? Probably still not for yoga specifically, but it is significantly better than the first option, and if you are looking for a general fitness game that is fun and effective, this is a great choice.
Yoga VR
The last game I tried is Yoga VR a new app by XR Sweat, it’s available on the App Lab that uses virtual reality to create immersive yoga sessions. The app has several features that make it stand out from other yoga games. First of all, it has mixed reality support, which means that you can see your real environment through the Quest 3’s cameras while also seeing the virtual elements of the app. This makes it easier to follow the instructions and see your mat without taking off the headset. If Mixed reality isn’t your thing, it has a variety of environments and music styles to choose from, such as beach, forest, or snow.’ Oculus Lab app that uses virtual reality to create immersive yoga sessions. The app has several features that make it stand out from other yoga games. First of all, it has mixed reality support, which means that you can see your real environment through the Quest 3’s cameras while also seeing the virtual elements of the app. This makes it easier to follow the instructions and see your mat without taking off the headset. If Mixed reality isn’t your thing, it has a variety of environments and music styles to choose from, such as beach, forest, or snow.
I loved this app because the mixed reality feature was very helpful especially Infront of a mirror. The app also had a good selection of poses for different levels and goals, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced.
I used this app for the last 10 days and averaged about 15 minutes per day. Will I play this game ever again and would I recommend it? Definitely yes. This is by far the best yoga game I have ever tried. It is immersive, interactive, and relaxing.
Results
After 30 days of playing yoga I saw some pretty impressive gains.
- My Sit and reach went from just being able to touch my pinky to my entire palms.
- My Split went from 145cm to 164cm
- And my shoulder mobility also improved, especially the right shoulder that had been injured in the past.
These results inspired me to join a yoga studio (in real life) so I can continue to practice and get instructions from a professional.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the three yoga games that I tried and my opinion on each one. As you can see, there is a lot of variation in terms of quality, functionality, and experience. I think that yoga games are a great way to gamify yoga and make it more enjoyable and accessible, but they also have some limitations and challenges.
