Taking Your Flow Online? Here Are 9 Things You Need to Know

Happy Sunday and Welcome to the NEW WORLD OF ONLINE YOGA! I’m your humble guide, Bridget, and I pretty much have no idea how to use any of the applications, sites, and/or platforms available, so I am turning to local experts and (of course) YouTube for advice.

Jeanette Sealy shared some thoughts and we added to it. Here is what we’ve got so far…

It’s so awesome to see so many online classes, live streams, free offerings, and new ways of sharing your work!! It is so so needed right now! If you aren’t doing it yet, moving your classes online is easier than you think. – Jeanette

Here are a few tips:

1. Using your phone? Orientation matters! Film with your phone horizontal for most applications, including YouTube. Film with your phone vertical if are going Live on Facebook or Instagram.

2. Frame the shot. Now that you’re recording in the proper orientation (see above), make sure you are in the center and that your mat position (if you are practicing a vinyasa flow) will keep things visually “appropriate” (translation: we don’t need to see your full happy baby).

3. Simplify your background. The cleaner and quieter the background, the better. Living in a small space? At least kick the dirty leggings into a corner!
4. Grab a light or head outside for natural illumination. Want more “pro” tips? Check out this quick YouTube tutorial we found.
5. Selfie Mode? Definitely not. Film with the front of your phone, not selfie mode. It is of much higher quality.
6. Sound is IMPORTANT. We’ve done quite a few videos with really muddled audio and it’s a complete bummer after putting in 60 minutes of mental and emotional work. We’ve had great luck with the clip-on mic that plugs right into the computer and/or phone.
7. Sound is important, raise your voice or invest in a mic. I really love the Blue Yeti! And notice a vast difference between when I use it and when I don’t.
8. BYOE (Be Your Own Editor). Sometimes a little editing is required in order to make your footage go from “meh” to “wow”. Editing includes everything from basic trimming to adding transitions, titles, music, and effects. Don’t feel any pressure to this, but consider watching this video and learning A LOT in 17 minutes.
9. Please keep sharing. As Jeanette said, the world needs it more than ever right now.

Now as you might have seen on Facebook, we took the majority of this list from Jeanette Sealy. Please follow her on social media and read through her free guide to technology too.