Basics of Zoom Yoga
Flexibility isn’t just for yogis, but yogis certainly know how to use it! I’m not even talking about physical flexibility. The flexibility we’ve found as a society between in person and virtual working, doing business, socializing and even meditating is here to stay. Here at Badlands, we have and welcome teachers in different states and have clients in 7 different states and Canada!
But not only that, many of our clients used to drive 40-45 minutes to and from class. Of course, they bundled trips to nearby places, made stops on the way. But after a year and a half of settling into the new yoga set ups they’ve created in and around their homes, we’re hearing a lot of “Nah, I’m good!”
Don’t get me wrong, people still travel here. One private client drives 3 hours for one on one yoga sessions and she chooses when she zooms her yoga and when she has the “in studio” experience. Sure, I bring you tea in studio and your laundry is nowhere nearby, the studio is open and super zen and smells like frankincense and rose. But going to your mat in the next room without even changing your clothes, bringing all the things or trying to remember where you put your keys? That has its attractions, too.
In this post, we’ll look at the most basic zoom set up. Next time we’ll explore the different ways you can upgrade that might take more time. In this post, we’ll look at options that take 15-45 minutes for a sweet yoga set up, so you can get your zoom yoga on right now!
You don’t even need a yoga mat. If you have one or get one, that’s cool. But you don’t need one. You may want to sweep the area you’re going to use, and that’s a small time investment. But you were gonna do that anyway… eventually :> Pros of a yoga mat: It makes instant “yoga feeling” space. It can signal your mind, “Ok, we’re doing yoga now, chill, dude.” It makes some balance and Down Dogs easier. Down side of a yoga mat: It’s one more thing. Finding your favorite. You actually recruit your core more without one. You’re just gonna have to clean it anyway :)
You need a space as long as you are tall, nearly as wide as your arms reach and it’s helpful if you can’t touch the ceiling - though not a deal breaker. If this becomes your new normal - your personal yoga studio - you’ll start moving furniture for real. But you can make a basic yoga space in a hallway or basement, in the space between your couch and your screen, in your kitchen, in your backyard, on your porch.
You can use couch cushions, bed pillows and blankets for bolsters. Boxes and chairs work as blocks do - boxes if you’re just looking to extend and arm, chairs if you’re going to transfer weight to the support. Use a scarf or towel for a strap and a dishcloth for your eye pillow. Get creative with props. The minimum to be prepared for most situations would be a blanket or 3 and a strap (towel, belt, scarf). Your first yoga specific prop should be a 4 inch block, which can be bought for a few bucks up to fancy schmancy.
Now for virtual part: if you have a smart phone, you can do this. Better, a laptop (larger screen). Better still a tablet (versatility of position + screen size). The phone and tablet have the positional advantage, because the angle you want is usually down from something chest high or higher. You can get this with a variety of gadgets made to hold our proliferating handheld devices: goosenecks, stands, little bean bag things, even rests can work. Google it and you’ll get lost. I’ve linked to the best of what I’ve found on amazon, but definitely look around. Use what you have, when you’re ready to commit, get a gooseneck or a stand with grippy things and a full range of tilt and rotation.
Position the device you’re using so when you are just looking at you, you can see as much of your mat or space as possible. This usually means about 4 feet away and chest to eye height, tilted down slightly.
You have options: you could set your device on the floor looking up at you. An experienced yoga teacher can tell a lot about your body just from your feet, but we really prefer to see as much as possible. Oddly, given an exclusive choice between feet and head, we’ll usually take the feet.
If you’re using a laptop, about belly height is usually good, 3-5 feet away.
With a laptop, a book like stand is often helpful and gets you more range. This wire book stand is so handy I have about a dozen and use them for everything from laptop meetings to tablets to phone calls to cooking.
Try opening your own zoom (you can download the app at zoom.us, sign up for free and check it out if you haven’t already) - no one else has to be on it. Just look at your angles, try a couple of different distances, heights, angles. You’ll have an idea in just a few minutes. Go with that and adjust with experience.
It’s nice (but not necessary) to have privacy. Choosing a place where you’re least likely to be disturbed is helpful. If you have a room you can shut the door to, all the better. Your bedroom at the foot of the bed is good. The back yard if it’s not overrun with a tag game is great. The spinning room, the weight room, the spare room and the basement are all popular options.
Internet connection. This is the big one. If you don’t have service the whole thing’s a non-starter. If your service is glitchy it’s really a practice in frustration toleration. A hot spot is great if you’re not paying through the nose for it (where did that expression come from?). This is a social good, like roads, that could be democratized, as the school situation has made so plain.
Other than that, treat it as you would joining your local studio’s practice: arrive a few minutes early to check in, chat and socialize with others. Remove your shoes at the door and settle into your practice space and focus on your breath. Gather your favorite aromatherapy, light candles. Most yoga classes have the practitioners on mute, so you can even pick your music - now if that’s not an advantage, I don’t know what is! Grab a mug of your favorite relaxing tea and give yourself the time and space to be and breathe with a new kind of community.
Have questions? Drop a comment, or better yet, book an exploration call by scrolling down on our home page! Let’s talk and find out how zoom yoga can bring more flexibility to your schedule, your life, your mind and your amazing body. It really is amazing, you know? It’s seen you through so much. Sit down and make friends through yoga.
