Tips for Online Yoga Classes

Dear Yoga Students,

Here are a few suggestions and tidbits of information that I hope will help you get the most enjoyment and benefit from your online yoga experience:

Relax and Breathe

Relaxation, not effort, is the key to yoga. Yoga is really about learning who you are and how to bring your body, mind, and breath into union. We explore ĀSANAS (movements and postures) and link them with PRĀNYĀMĀ (breathing techniques) and other yoga techniques that lead to a greater awareness 

Awareness

As you begin the class, turn your attention inward. 

Acceptance

Our flexibility, energy, balance, strength, calmness, moods vary from day to day and even from moment to moment. So there is no need to judge yourself or others, or to compare yourself to a fixed idea of the postures.

Inner Wisdom

Listen to your body and your own inner guide: Come out of a posture when your body tells you to; stay in a posture longer if your body wants to.

Comfort

  • Plan to eat after or eat lightly at least an hour before class.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing that stretches(leggings, sweat pants, knit shorts, T-shirts) without buttons, pins, zippers, or filled pockets. 
  • Wear socks if your feet get cold. 
  • Use a tie, blocks, extra blankets, pillows, for extra support or warmth 

Attendance

Join class even when you don’t feel like it—ESPECIALLY if you don’t feel like it. Often that is when you will experience the greatest benefit. You do not have to do anything when you’re here. You can just relax the entire class without moving a finger if you feel like it. 

Exits and Entrances

Feel free to come in late or take a water or bathroom break in the middle of class, your sound will be muted as we begin our ASANA practice.

Mental Chatter

Sometimes after a stressful day, our minds continue to chatter. You may feel restless and impatient with the pace of the class or fixated on what you have to do after class. Don’t fight it. Acknowledge what is happening and observe it. Breathe deeply and naturally while witnessing the changing thoughts, emotions and sensations. Stay in the moment and feel what you feel.

Feedback

At the beginning and after the closing of our practice, you will have a few minutes when everyone will be unmuted and you will have a chance to greet friends, ask questions, or give me feedback. Also you can always send me a Chat message during class when you are muted if you are having a problem. The chat button is usually at the bottom of the screen of your device.

You can also, of course, email [email protected] or text me at 850-766-0967. Let me know what concerns you have or what you are experiencing. Suggestions, observations, self-discoveries—I want to hear them all. I’m looking forward to our time together. Thank you.

May all our hearts be at Peace,
Charlene