My online yoga classes
For me the only thing that beats teaching a yoga class is doing yoga on my own.
These are two very different ways of practicing yoga. So much so that, superficial resemblance aside, the two are practically not all the same. In a yoga studio the teacher acts as a guide, making room for the student to just flow with the practice, without planning anything. Being present, in the moment, observing the bigger picture of the session, and its finer details, is easy. Experiencing the nuanced layers of the practice is also easy, as the student does not so much have to make a decision of where to place his or her attention.
These are the excellent reasons why most yoga practitioners love going to yoga classes.
How to replicate this classroom experience as a teaching tool for home practice has intrigued me for as long as I have been practicing and teaching. Bottom line is alway the same; there is probably no such a thing possible.
Yet, realities aside, for instance finding the time and appropriate physical space and guidance, I do feel that a regular or occasional yoga home practice routine is worth pursuing. And I’m sure there are less useful, and more useful means for me to assist.
Online yoga or a yoga DVD can be a useful and practical means to an end. I started yesterday to record a simple, straight forward yoga session, at my home studio, here in Muizenburg. The production too is no frills, straightforward stuff. Those that are familiar with my classes will notice the video feels just like my typical yoga class. My presentation is, as in most of my standard classes, easy going, slow, and with a lot of voice instruction. You won’t have to watch the screen much to know what to do. As with my classes the content is improvised, there is no scripting, no second takes, grammar mistakes and the odd fumbled sentence. You will be able to just do the class, as if you are in the class, at the studio. Well, almost, or quite like being at the studio:-) At worst my yoga class for your home practice will be better than you not doing yoga at all, should you let your practice slide because you’re not sure how to sequence a session, or discipline yourself, or have the confidence to try on your own.
A professional producer recently suggested we make some online teaching material, and when yet another ex-student asked nicely for a class recording I politely said “yes” and called Marcel up. He had the time and so here we are. We are filming in high definition, with high quality audio, and the post production will be excellent. You will be able to use this recording on a DVD, or a mobile, tablet or computer or laptop. We must still figure out over the weekend after completing the post production how to make it available before holidays.
Stay in touch for details – available soon.
11 December 2014
