Tech for Your Virtual Teaching Space

A few weeks ago I sat down with Daily Origin for a segment - Creating a Virtual Business. We discussed how I shifted from an in-person business model to virtual programming and teaching in 2020 during the global pandemic. Towards the end of the conversation I was asked:

If you could’ve picked one piece of technology to purchase for virtual classes what would it be?

I’m not big on tech - but I have had to do a lot of research / online shopping this last year. Below is my spark note answer of technology to purchase, with links to some of my key purchases that I use personally. I hope it is helpful as a starting point for your own research!

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01 // SOUND

If somebody can hear you well - and you’re concise and thorough with your cueing they probably don’t have to look to the screen as much.

Blue Yeti USB Mic

Best for recording meditations + podcasts.

$129.99

Samson XPD2 Headset USB Digital Wireless System

Great for teaching live-stream classes + in-person events.

$119.99

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2 // LIGHTING

Natural lighting is wonderful - but often uneven when teaching from a space at home. It can also be inconsistent and weather / time dependent. A ring light can be especially helpful for early morning / late night.

RING LIGHT

Ideal for balancing out the light in a room.

$159.99

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3 // HOSTING

Figuring out how to get people to pay, sign-up and access your classes can take a ton of time. After months of managing individual orders (Stripe) + sending out separate Zoom links for each class (MailChimp) + recordings after class (YouTube) I upgraded to Sutra. It not only saves me hours a week but also provides an opportunity for me to make money while I’m not teaching.

Sutra

Seamlessly host live classes, sell on-demand practices and create memberships / packages - all from your own website.

Bonus! It integrates with MailChimp + Zoom + Stripe

$25 / month

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4 // SPACE

From space on your computer to your teaching space there are a few additional things I’ve learned along the way.

• Running out of space on your computer? Videos take up A LOT of space - use a google drive and / or an external hard drive (below).

• Does your voice echo now that you’ve cleaned up your practice space? Sound echoes in an empty-ish space. Use blankets + pillows + rugs + curtains to absorb sound.

• Does your mat clash with your outfit? I LOVE to wear all black. I also have a black mat. While this is never an issue teaching in person it doesn’t translate well on screen.

• Are your cute plants dying? Fake ones look real on screen :)

External Hard Drive

WD 4TB My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive - Blue, USB-C/USB-A - WDBA2F0040BBL-WESN

$108.99

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Check out my full interview with Genevieve from Daily Origin:

TOP 5 Props for Your Practice

When I started practicing yoga I couldn’t touch my toes. No matter how hard a tried to muscle into poses I would hit a wall of stiffness. But then again - why did I need to? Touching my toes was a means to stretching my hamstrings and grounding. Working with the function of the pose over the form allows us to change both physically and energetically. When I finally did begin to incorporate props my practice opened up. I was able to move through the stiffness and blocked energy within the body.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

The next time you practice consider where you need help. Blocks helped bring the floor up to me in forward folds, a strap offered the extension required to maintain good posture, a bolster provided the support I needed to be able to surrender into stillness.

Add props into your practice and bring the poses to YOU.

1. BLOCKS

Make transitions and poses more accessible with the help of blocks. I always recommend purchasing 2 so they can be under the hands in down dog to more easily step the foot through to warrior 2 or placed beneath sacrum in a restorative bridge pose.

MY PICK :

The Manduka Cork blocks (4" x 6" x 9")

$20 / block

Household swap // books

2. YOGA MAT

Provide cushion + grip for yoga asana practice. Things to consider when purchasing the right mat for you - length + thickness + travel.

MY PICK:

lululemon The Reversible BIG Mat 5mm (84")

$98

Jade Harmony 5mm (68” - 74”)

$80

Household swap // Blanket, towel, floor

3. STRAP

Straps are commonly used as an extension of the body - making poses more accessible while maintaining alignment that supports the function of a pose. A strap with a buckle is ideal as it can also be used to support you in restorative poses.

MY PICK:

Manduka AligN Strap (10’)

$20

Household swap // towel, belt

4. BOLSTER

Bolsters provide support in restorative postures that allow you to completely surrender into stillness + deep relaxation.

MY PICK:

Manduka Enlight Rectangular Bolster

$70

Everyday Yoga High Impact

$45

Household swap // pillows, folded / rolled blankets

5. BLANKET

From keeping you warm in savasana to providing extra comfort for the knees in child’s pose, blankets add an extra layer of comfort to your practice,

MY PICK:

Manduka Recycled Wool Blanket

$50

Household swap // the blanket(s) you already have!

UPGRADE Your Post Run Routine

And just like that it’s FALL! I’ll be honest - I don’t always love running. Most of the time I don’t even like it. But there’s something about running in the fall here in New England. Maybe it’s the fact that the humidity has dropped and temps cool down. Or knowing that winter is right around the corner that creates a sense of urgency to enjoy outside workouts as long as possible. Regardless I’m into it.

As you finish up your next run use the tips below to upgrade 3 popular post run stretches :

01 // CRESCENT LUNGE

BENEFIT : Open the front of the body - critical to counter the forward momentum of running.

SET - UP : Step your right foot back a leg and a half distance to a crescent lunge. Bend your left knee to stack over your left ankle, shoulders stack over your hips.

UPGRADE :

• Interlace your hands behind your back while keeping your front ribs down // opens chest

• Bend your right knee // neutralize the hips + pelvis.

• Hold for 10 breaths:

  • Inhale - small lift of the chest + lengthening of sides + reach of the knuckles towards back heel.

  • Exhale - sink deeper into the stretch.

REPEAT on second side.

02 // QUAD STRETCH

BENEFIT : lengthen the quad + hip flexor + psoas.

SET - UP : Balancing on your right foot, bend your left knee, take hold of the left ankle and squeeze the heel towards your glute.

UPGRADE :

• Balance weight distribution evenly through the four corners of your standing right foot while maintaining a micro bend in the knee.

• Squeeze (adduct) your left knee towards your standing leg.

• Press your left foot into your left hand.

• Stretch your right arm alongside your ear, palm facing the body (midline).

• Hold for 10 breaths:

  • Inhale - reach your right fingertips towards the sky.

  • Exhale - press the left foot into the left hand and adduct the legs.

REPEAT on second side.

03 // FORWARD FOLD

BENEFIT : stretch hamstrings + calves and release low back.

SET - UP : Set your feet under your hips with 10 toes pointed straight ahead. Hinge over the hips as your forward fold.

UPGRADE :

• Lift your heels with a slight bend in the knees - using tented fingertips to balance.

• Create more length in your spine by lifting your sit bones towards the sky (feel stretch in belly of the hamstrings vs low back)

• Lower your right heel to the ground, shift weight into the right foot - pulling stretch down the back of your leg into the calf.

  • HOLD : 5 breaths

• Lift your right heel and lower left heel to the ground. As the weight shifts notice the difference between the two sides.

  • HOLD : adjust duration of stretch to balance out the right leg.

• Lift left heel to the ground.

• Lower both heels to the ground, even weight through four corners of the feet (light in the toes!)

  • HOLD : 3 - 5 breaths.

ROLL yourself back up to stand.

HAPPY RUNNING!!!