It's 2022, spring now. It's been quite some time since last Covid lockdown in U.K. Lockdown was good in the sense that everywhere we went for walks were quiet, often we had a whole beach to ourselves, and a few dog walkers... one of sad things about was; due to covid lockdown, many yoga studios didn't survive or in the end, went business with huge gym companies etc.
On the other hand, zoom/ online yoga flourished. During the lockdowns, even my classes were busy, and many people including myself, would never thought of running online classes before. I wasn't sure about it, like any other teachers and instructors. However, it wasn't too bad. I actually really liked it. Took me a while to get it right, like, sorting out camera, sound/music over zoom, connecting to TV, and mic.... Once everything was pretty much sorted, it was great. I didn't have to cycle everywhere and knackered myself travelling, I was able to set up whenever I pleased... I am introvert, so, staying at home teaching yoga over zoom suited me well. As well as attending classes for my own practice.
It was great I was able to join top class teachers' workshops and classes online live. I really went for it during these lockdowns. I loved it. I loved that I was able to practice with those teachers and students together from all over the world! And I still do. I still run my zoom classes although numbers are now smaller, I have regulars. I am very grateful for those join me over zoom.
Often when I join yoga classes, some yoga teachers don't seem to care about zoomers or zoomies whatever call it. no hello, no acknowledgement actually we are there online. Also camera is too far , difficult to see. On top of that, some teachers don't wear mic ( and far from their device) I am not able to hear anything even my TV volume maxed. 🥲 So, If my video is off, I just get out, can't get into it....
Once I had a teacher who went through her phone texting when she put us in a yin pose. Her thumbs and fingers were tapping really fast, obviously she was texting/messaging. then when she put us on Shavasana, she was looking at her phone, her fingers were sliding side to side, and tapping....I thought to myself; is she forgetting she is actually on zoom?
Another funny one I had; the room was pitch black. Apparently the room was dark, no-one could see, even other zoomers' videos were off...we supposed to practice only from teacher's cues. That was really hard. I am also a visual learner, I need to see ( i have learning difficulty) to learn. I couldn't even see other students, I didn't understand her cues. So I had to get out....😓
Zoom...more like camera catches everything there, from face expression to body language, background to shadows....
I know if you have studio full of students and have zoomies, to both to look at. All I'm saying is; just a little bit more pay attention to online students please! Just say hello in the beginning , bye bye at the end, or maybe during practice, " are you ok at home?" Just once is enough. 🙏
I will continue zoom, both running classes and attending workshops, & classes. Now I live in a small town, no other yoga teacher in the town, a yoga studio is 20 mins away by car ( I don't drive), so I want to stay on zoom.
That's it, for now, my rant is over till....next time....🤣
