If we were told a few months back that all studios would be closed, retreats cancelled and public classes banished we wouldn’t have believed it. Yoga Teachers and Studios livelihoods rely on their students to show up and when this isn’t possible, times can be worrying.

It is astounding to see the yoga industry evolve to offer classes online, whole studio timetables now available online and teachers and students working together to bring yoga to our homes when we need it most.

We caught up with some Yoga Teachers and studio owners in our network to hear about how they have adapted to the change. For those who are feeling overwhelmed by the change, we hope that this piece will lift your spirits – because we are all in this together, collectively hoping to share happiness, health and love to one another, however we can.

Jess Horn

What are you offering?

I am offering my full schedule on line, x 6 – 8 classes a week, with live streaming, donation based classes. I’m also providing some free content including short videos and some Relaxation evenings/ home retreats which I’m hoping to help as many people as possible relax, connect with their bodies, de-stress and manage anxiety. Also to provide a sense of community and move away from fear into connecting with hope, love and the best qualities of humanity. I’m also going to put together a short course – Introduction to Meditation – for the home office – How to navigate these uncharted waters with more ease.

What challenges have you faced or what have you been surprised by?

I’ve been surprised at how much it’s helping people. I’m getting really positive feedback and its great to see how many people are keen to join in and embrace new technology! I have faced a few teething issues (like muting myself accidentally half way through a class!) But each time I do it, it gets a little easier!

What is your advice would you like to share to other teachers and the yoga community?

If you’re a teacher, now is the time for seva, (service) and your students need you now more than ever, so do reach out to them. As teachers we have the toolkit, the science of yoga, to help them to regulate their nervous system through their breath and find space and calm amongst these crazy and uncertain times. Don’t be afraid about being on line, if its new for you, it can be challenging, but start small, maybe doing a little live, or even pre-recording a video and sharing. You don’t need loads of fancy equipment, or a huge space and it doesn’t matter what you look like, just be authentically you! Remember Done is better than perfect! So move through the self doubt as the world now more than ever, needs your yoga! I know that many of us rely on our teaching for our income so do ask for a donation / payment if you’re offering full classes. Maybe offer smaller free offerings or donations for those who struggle financially. At this time we need to dig deep, double up on our self care and practice what we preach!

If you’re a student of yoga, reach out to your teacher and tell them what you’d like them to share and how you can support each other. We don’t know how long this will go on for, so we need to all pull together and provide support for each other and the yoga community!

Trisha Champaneri

What are you offering?

All my classes are online now – so that’s mainly yoga flows and meditations. I’ve got something going on every day as I’m trying to keep busy and my regular clients are really needing their practice more than ever. I’m streaming via Zoom and IGTV and my schedule is on my website.

From Monday EVERY DAY at 8:30am, I’ll be offering a daily meditation and motivational video on IGTV. I want to help people get their ducks in a row early doors, so they align with their intentions and get the most from their day. This type of grounding work is so valuable and consistency is absolutely key. I’ve got clients that will put this on for their kids too when the schools close. Hopefully it will set the tone for the day and give some structure to the people who follow it regularly.

What challenges have you faced or what have you been surprised by?

Teaching online is TOTALLY different to teaching in real life. I don’t think I’ve ever fully appreciated that and I’m massively out of my comfort zone! I am learning something new with each class and it’s really giving me a sense of purpose at the moment. It’s also given me a real respect for anyone that has ever put themselves out there online and shared this type of work. It takes guts.

Another challenge is the logistics of course. Generally I’m okay with tech stuff, but wouldn’t say that I’m the best, so I’m having to learn a lot on that front too. Currently I’m taking donations for classes (from those who can afford to pay) via my website, but I know that this could be a lot slicker, so I’ll aim to refine that in the next few days. Classes are obviously free for key workers.

I am pleasantly surprised by the way in which we’re all supporting one another. The teaching community, small local businesses, everyone really, we’re all rooting for each other and I love that.

What advice would you like to share to the other teachers and the yoga community?

Wash your hands and don’t touch your face. Seriously though, If you’re thinking of doing something similar, DO IT!!!! You can set up streams for your regular students if you’re not comfortable with opening the net wider. Honestly, it’s easier to set up than you think.

I’d also ask people giving completely free classes to question what that says about the value that you place on what we offer as practitioners. For sure at the moment, there will be people who cannot afford to pay and they should not have to. But there will also be people who can afford to make a contribution and they absolutely should. We are all turning to these practices to ease the heightened feeling of anxiety. How can that not be worth something?

Essentially, as I am learning, you just need to back yourself and get on with it. I know teaching is a very personal and vulnerable thing, but what you offer can and will help someone. If you have the capacity to do this, then you must, particularly in this time of need and uncertainty. I wish you all the best of health and am sending high vibes to everyone.

Paula Gardiner, Space2be and The Yoga Lighthouse

What are you offering?

We’re offering on-line classes to all of our members. We have also created social media groups where our teachers are sharing videos and free resources.

I am in the process of expanding our on-line offering with some pop up events to learn new fun skills eg. quiz night, knitting group , arts and crafts, strictly come dancing classes (learn some basic steps). A variety of activities to keep our members active and inspired.

What challenges have you faced or what have you been surprised by?

Technology! Communicating with members via so many different ways WhatsApp, Texts, Social groups and making sure everyone has seen the communications!

Also making so many quick decisions – not knowing if they are right but no time to procrastinate – trust your intuition!

I have been so surprised how important classes are to people a familiar face. How well the on-line classes have been received. I did one I loved it. Connection is so important right now.

It’s amazing what we can do in a week if we have to!

What is your advice would you like to share to other teachers and the yoga community?

Advice – it doesn’t have to be perfect just get something up and running asap. Keep your community close, involve your Teachers, ask for help, communicate not just email get on video pick up the phone. Think what else do customers need. Kindness will go along way so think long term not short term.

Nicole Andrews, FloYoga What are you offering? We are running a full schedule on Zoom that is booked through mind body from Monday onwards. We started with some donation based classes on IG live for the last few days to trial out how online would work with our community. What challenges have you faced or what have you been surprised by? Really surprised by how much people wanted us to continue at home and its been so amazing the amount of support from our community and beyond practicing at such a challenging time with us and donating to help keep us alive! Challenges are things like music and how to set it up and use it online, how to see if everyone is getting what you are teaching and it is clear or the level etc in class, we hope to get some people using webcam when we go on to Zoom to combat this. What is your advice would you like to share to other teachers and the yoga community? It can be nerve–wracking especially the first couple of times, but like anything new it just takes practice and then you get more comfortable. It’s almost like a reminder of what it was like to start teaching all over again, and has you questioning everything as it’s live for the world to see! Without the ability to have live feedback from students in the room you don’t really know much till after. So really believe in yourself and what you’re doing, it can be daunting as there’s so many offerings but it’s no different to the options in person. Don’t compare yourself to other offerings online, let’s all support each other where we can and enjoy this new challenge!

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Author: Yogamatters



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