Teaching Yoga Online: Resources, Support and Love for Teaching During a Global Pandemic
These are intense, unprecedented times. I know so much about your day to day life has changed in the last few weeks. As yoga teachers, our work just became quite challenging. But if you (and your students) have a computer and an internet connection, it is possible to stay connected with your students, continue to teach and continue to make money. Below I share several training videos I made just for y’all, as well as the resources I made for my own students to make the transition to online teaching possible. I hope you find them helpful. Please know I am holding you, loving you and supporting you from my home here in Takoma Park, MD.
VIDEOS
Notes from Logistics & Technology Follow Up
Teaching Pilates Online, Training for The Pilates Firm, Las Vegas
One of my best, oldest friends owns a brick and mortar pilates studio in Vegas. We met up and recorded a training for her staff to help them move their lessons online.
My First Online Group Class- Friday, March 20th
After class, I offered to stay on and answer any questions people had. Mostly fellow teachers stayed on and asked questions and gave feedback about their experience. You can skip to the end and watch just that part!
RESOURCES from Francesca:
Zoom manual (PDF) - so you can see how we made it pretty
Zoom manual (WORD) - so you can copy/paste the text directly and use it as needed
Letter: Moving Private Students to Online (WORD) - this is the exact letter I sent to students to inform them I was moving to online teaching. Feel free to copy/paste the text directly and use it as needed
Group Online Yoga Classes: The process (PDF)- step by step instructions for teaching live, group classes online
The Case for Teaching Without Demonstrating - teaching that relies on language to convey important information, including subtle movements, instead of relying on the use of our body to teach
Extra VIDEOS:
Tuesday, March 10 (video)
This video was recorded as the yoga community here in the US was just coming to terms with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, some of the advice is very outed (ie: what mat cleaners are best if you’re still teaching group classes) but some of it will still be very supportive (ie: how our collective nervous system is responding to this trauma and the important role yoga teachers play in the global pandemic).
Teaching Private Yoga Lessons Online (Old Video)
This is a video I created two years ago right after I started teaching a private client online. It has some good advice in it, although much of it will be covered in the newer videos also.
RESOURCES from Others
General Resources:
State of Yoga Instructors Survey, by Reclamation Ventures- (VERY IMPORTANT, please fill out!)
A Yogic Approach to Public Health in the Time of Coronavirus by Clare Kelly
Resource Guide for Yoga Teachers (compiled by the community, spear-headed by Amber Karnes)
Reimagining the Yoga and Wellness Communities in Uncertain Times, by Susanna Barkataki
Should I Be Scared of COVID-19? A Primer on the Principles of Epidemiology, by Clare Kelly
Wellbeing Relief Fund from Reclamation Ventures- Grants available for wellness instructors that represent underestimated communities. Apply by April 30th.
Accessible Yoga Facebook Group- lots of great information and resources here
Teaching Online:
Masterclass on Teaching Yoga Online, from Shannon Crow and Amanda McKinney
Online Teaching and Waivers During COVID-19, community sourced
Definitive Guide to Teaching Video Enabled Movement Classes by Core to Coeur
How to Take Your Teaching Online Equitably and Effectively While Honoring Yoga's Roots with Susanna Barkataki
Online Teaching Contracts & Agreements with Jesal Parikh and Nick Demos