Is Zoom Yoga For You?

I’ve been on both sides of the screen throughout lockdown having had the experience of teaching my own yoga classes but also participating in Zoom classes. I’d be lying if I said I loved it instantly – it took a little getting used to in terms of the technical set up – but I honestly wouldn’t be without it now. Here’s what I’ve gleaned over the past three months (and why I suspect Zoom classes will stick around).

CONVENIENCE
What could be more convenient than a class which takes place without you having to step foot outside the house? A 5.30pm class has always been out of the question for me because of the rush of post school activities, homework and prepping dinner but since Zoom classes have become mainstream, I’ve found that early evening is actually achievable for me (so long as the children have been fed!!). Have a think about what the best time is for you in your home – if you’re a parent and the thought of having children roaming around is unsettling, then choose an evening class for when they’ve gone to bed.

TIME SAVER
If the class takes 60 minutes, then 60 minutes is what it takes. No need to rack up extra time travelling to and from the venue, or find a parking space or for the pre and post chat 😉 so you’re saving a good 30 minutes before you’ve even started.

NO ONE IS WATCHING YOU
They’re really not, because the main focus will be on the teacher as you’ll need to listen a little harder and look a little closer, however…

YOU MIGHT WATCH YOURSELF
Dependent on the view you choose in Zoom, you may be able to get a decent view of yourself. Whilst this may seem a little off putting for some, it can actually be really beneficial for deepening your yoga practice. So when when you’re in plank and the teacher says shoulders over wrists or draw tummy in, or slide shoulders down, you may just have that realisation that yes, there are indeed some enhancements you can make to improve your alignment. If however you would prefer to join without video, that’s ok too – the aim is to feel at ease and stay connected in the present, without worrying how you look.

A FAMILY AFFAIR
Whether it’s your other half, your children, or your furry friends – anyone can join in at home. You may find that your cats and dogs tend to gravitate towards the mat and join you in practice so if this is the case, enjoy every minute because unless pet yoga becomes a craze, you won’t be doing this at a studio any time soon!

SETTING UP YOUR SPACE, HOWEVER YOU LIKE
There are zero rules for setting up your mat at home. You can roll out your mat next to your bed, by the sofa, in the kitchen or even outside in the garden. You can change your set up according to your mood or you can create a dedicated space to help you truly get into the zone. You don’t have to arrive early to ‘save your space’ and you certainly won’t have any other students getting too close. Of course it is helpful for the teacher to have a good view of you on your mat so that she or he can offer postural advice so if possible, try and set up the mat away from the screen so that you’re in the frame.

SOUNDTRACK ON OR OFF
Music and yoga continues to be one of the greatest debates – traditionally yoga is practised without any music at all. But for me, practising with music is essential and so you’ll always have access to my specially created playlists which have been put together specifically for the sequence. However as you’ll be playing the music separately (it’s best to use a different device), it’s entirely your choice to listen or not. And if you don’t fancy my music, why not choose your own?

EXPERIMENT WITH THE TECH SET UP
It’s worth trying a few different options to make the most of your Zoom yoga experience. In my opinion, the bigger the screen, the better the view so bear this in mind when choosing which device to access Zoom from. Once I’d figured out that I could mirror my phone screen onto my smart tv it was an absolute GAME CHANGER. I felt much more connected to the teacher and got a far superior view which made the movement easier to follow.

If you’re wondering whether to give a zoom class a try, many teachers will offer a free trial first. If you’d like to book for a free taster with me get in touch!