study tips for taking Zoom YOGA class from Home
Taking class with Zoom can be very easy!
All of my classes are hosted through ZOOM. It is an easy and free service. You may have read that you need to purchase a professional account for calls longer than 40 minutes, but this is just for the host (me). It will be entirely free for you to use. All you will need to do is download Zoom. If you don’t have the Zoom software downloaded on your device, once you register for class, it will ask you to download the software. It will deliver my video and audio to you if you choose to download their free app. You don't need to share any of your own audio or video, unless you want to. The reason you would share your video is for me to be able to see you in your room and be able to give teaching suggestions.
Questions about Zoom video conferencing?
Zoom is the internet’s leading live video conferencing technology. It works very well on almost all computers, tablets, and phones. It’s easy to learn and gives you a lot of control over your experience.
Attendees can see and hear me without sharing video or audio of themselves with anyone.
If you wish to participate in discussion and have the equipment, you’ll have the option to enable your microphone (and video if you wish), or simply type into a text chat box.
To attend a live class, please follow links from the calendar page. You will need to set up an account on the studio site if you do not have one already. All classes can be accessed with a single drop in class, or a class card if you are not a library member or have purchased the course.
Zoom will invite you to download their software to your device or computer if you do not have it already. The Zoom app allows you to watch live video of Sarah and, if you wish, to participate by text chat, voice, and even video sharing.
Practical Home Study Tips for Feldenkrais:
You’ll need to be able to lie down on a carpeted floor, or smooth blanket or mat. Yoga mats generally create too much friction, though a blanket on top of a yoga mat can work.
It’s really easy to listen to our Zoom call through your phone, smartphone, tablet, or laptop – put it next to you on the floor!
Dress in layers or be sure the room is warm enough. This is not aerobic or strength-based exercise; these lessons are a challenge to your awareness, coordination, and self-use, and we learn and improve in those spheres most efficiently using slow and often small movements.
Have a bath towel or two nearby to fold to different heights for head support as needed, depending on the positions (lying on your back, side, or front). It’s assumed that you’ll take the time to place whatever support you need under your head at the beginning of the lesson, and with every change of position. Unless required for your comfort, using a regular pillow or a cervical roll for your neck is not recommended because it dampens the free movement of the head.
Tell others in your home (including your pets) that you are practicing Feldenkrais and you need some undisturbed time.
Practical Home Study Tips for Yoga:
You’ll need to have a quiet place for your yoga mat with ceilings high enough that your hands don’t touch.
Gather your yoga blanket, or towels, blocks and strap if you have them.
It’s really easy to listen to our Zoom call through your phone, smartphone, tablet, or laptop – put it next to you on the floor!
Dress in layers or be sure the room is warm enough. Some classes are more gentle and restorative, and you want to be sure your space is comfortable.
Tell others in your home (including your pets) that you are practicing yoga and you need some undisturbed time.
FEELING DISTRACTED?
Create a Pre-Class Ritual:
Establishing Environmental Boundaries when taking online classes
My tips for taking class at home to proactively minimize four primary sources of external distraction:
1. Visual Field Management ("Un-Clutter")
This involves controlling what your eyes take in, as visual input is one of the most demanding forms of sensory information.
Action: Remove clutter from your line of sight, close unnecessary digital tabs, and use Full Screen mode for videos. This prevents your peripheral vision from registering movement or chaos that pulls your attention away from the subtle movements of your own body. Often times once class has started you may be able to do much of the class with your eyes closed, with no looking at the screen necessary at all.
2. Quieting the Auditory Field
Sudden or inconsistent noise immediately triggers a reactive mental response.
Action: Use "Do Not Disturb" settings, turn off notifications. Introduce a neutral, steady sound (like ambient or brown noise) at a low volume. This creates a predictable auditory field that filters out sharp, attention-grabbing sounds. If you are taking class on a laptop or tablet, put your phone in another room out of site and consider completely turning it off.
3. Proprioceptive Comfort
If your body is physically uncomfortable, your attention is forced to listen to the irritation (e.g., a sore hip, cold hands, tight clothes) instead of the lesson.
Action: Before you start, proactively address physical discomfort. Ensure your mat, blankets, or props provide adequate support, and that your clothing is loose and soft. Sometimes I take a hot bath or shower before I do a lesson to feel warm if I know the class will not be getting my body temperature up.
4. Creating a Social Boundary
Communicate to everyone in your household—spouse, roommates, kids, and pets—that your attention is fully engaged and off-limits for the next 60 minutes. This turns your internal commitment into an external, respected boundary.
Action: Announce your practice time to your partner and children before you start and ask them kindly to only interrupt if it is an emergency. This sets the expectation that you are not available, when they are receptive to your request.
The Pet Protocol: If a pet is part of the challenge, rather than a comfort during class, make sure their needs (food, outdoor time, a chew toy) are met immediately before you start. Consider placing them in a safe, comfortable, designated "rest zone" outside your practice area for the duration of the class.
By settling these issues, you allow your body to relax its guard, freeing up your attention for deeper internal discovery.