The Benefits of a Livestream (Zoom) Yoga Session

Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • Feb 09, 2021

While there is no mistaking, practising yoga in a studio setting is amazing, the last year has taught us it is not the only way to stay connected with your teacher and other like minded yoga loving souls. We have learnt that we need to adjust and adapt. A Livestream, Zoom session is not a replacement for studio sessions, it is in fact an addition and another option that is available for everyone.

For me personally, I have loved being able to access my yoga teachers in Singapore and join their classes. It's as though I never left. It opened a whole new world for me and encouraged me back onto my mat for regular practice, something I had relaxed in my first year of leaving Singapore.

For me, the advantages of a Yoga Livestream (Zoom) session are many.

Consistency

Your body and mind benefit greatly from a consistent yoga practice. Your practice will easily become a habit when you set aside regular times to practice each week. Joining a regular Livestream yoga session will help you to bring that consistency to your practice.

Stay Connected

I love Livestream classes so that I can keep connected with old teachers and friends. Now, as a yoga teacher myself, I love being able to connect with friends, family and students from all over the world. On a recent class I had students join me from the UK, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast. This would never have been possible before!

Accessibility

Practicing at home eliminates travel time and traffic stress. Friends, family and new students can join from anywhere and there is not that hassle of getting ready to go out and struggle with traffic or public transport. So much easier and such a time saver!

Personal Class

While some students thrive on the community of the class, others prefer a quieter more reflective and personal class. Livestream can offer you both. Place your screen on gallery view to get the community feel, or speaker view to just view the teacher and it feels very much like a personal class. Even though I encourage my classes to be a non-competitive experience, some people feel they need to 'perform', and Livestream eliminates this pressure.

Male connecting to Livestream Yoga Class

Get Comfortable

Rather than worrying about keeping up with the newest fashion trends, Livestream yoga sessions allow you to wear whatever you like and be as comfortable as you can. Who will know if you are in your PJ's in an early morning or evening class? If it's cold, rug up in whatever is comfortable. If you want to get in your best yoga gear, go ahead. The idea is for you to be comfortable in your practice.

On the Go

As things start to open up, and for us here in Australia, domestic travel is an option again, with your laptop or phone you can practice wherever you are. Never miss a session again.

Technology

There are many options available to view your Livestream yoga session. Phone, tablet, laptop, P.C, or screening to your TV all allow you to view the session. So many options there are no excuses!

Mother and daughter practicing yoga by Livestream

Props

If you are worried about not having props, don't be. I will go into this in more detail in another post, but things you have around your home make great props without having to go and buy specific yoga props. Of course, if you are going to practice from home regularly you may want to invest in a mat at the very least. Things such as cushions from your lounge, rolled up towels or throws, pillows joined with a tie or belt, a stack of books for blocks, all make great alternatives. Never think you can't do a class at home just because you don't have the right props.

Normality

There is no mistaking that this last year has been 'different'. For many it has left us needing to be grounded, needing to do some normal activities. Health concerns or lockdown restrictions have left some of our lives feeling upended. Joining a Livestream yoga session can help you feel ground and bring some normality back into your day or week. If you are unable to leave your home (for medical or other reasons) or travel far to personal classes, consider a Livestream session. Joining yoga sessions at the usual days and times can provide grounding for you.

Animal Companions

We all know the benefits pets can have on our mental and emotional health. I absolutely love seeing students dogs and cats joining in the practice, or seeing them snoozing nearby.

Join With a Partner

A great benefit of Livestream yoga sessions is being able to join the session with a partner. You can have your family practice with you by joining in the session. Only 1 booking is required for other members of the same household to join you in the same class.

Livestream Etiquette

I will do more on this in another post, but basically all you need to do is show up, mute yourself after we say hi, and settle onto your mat for 75 minutes of you time. Easy hey!

So, if you have never tried a Yoga Livestream Session, why not give it a try. Book Here

I currently hold Yin and Restorative Sessions as wells as Kids Sessions by Livestream. More sessions will be added soon. If you have any day/time requests, please email me. And remember, the greatest advantage is, you can join from anywhere in the country and world!

See you soon in person or on a Livestream!

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Yoga for Older Students

By Lyn Russell, RYT-500, RCYT, B.Ed., Dip.T., ACOA Dip. (M.Nat.Th) • 14 Oct, 2022

Why is yoga and yoga therapy for older students so beneficial and why do they require special attention? When discussing the needs of older students, we are referring to those aged over 50. You may be surprised that we class 50 and over older, however these students present with a more unique history than our younger students. Therefore it is important to provide yoga sessions or yoga therapy that is suited to their special needs. Along with the usual intake steps that apply to all students, when looking at older students we need to pay particular attention to things such as: injury history and medical conditions lifestyle factors medications aims and expectations Injury history and medical conditions Injury history and medical conditions are important details that your yoga teacher should know regardless of your age. You may not know what is relevant to your yoga practice, so it is important to inform your yoga teacher or yoga therapist of your medical history, medical conditions and injury history. This allows us to provide practices that can support certain body or organ systems Lifestyle factors Lifestyle factors are extremely important to consider when planning a yoga practice for older students. Things to pay attention to include sleep quality, energy level and nutrition Medication Medication can have a huge impact on the type of yoga practice older students should be doing. Certain medications can change your balance, coordination and pain perception. Informing your yoga teacher or yoga therapist can allow them to provide a safe practice for your individual circumstances. Key Areas For Focus in Yoga We aim to maintain a healthy range of motion: Moving the body in different directions - forwards, backwards, side bending and rotation all encourage tissue elasticity, lubrication and circulation. Improve posture: As we age we tend towards flexion, which can create flow-on effects on bone loading, breathing, digestion, energy, and mood. Building the back body and posterior shoulder strength, as well as allowing time in 'neutral' positions of the spine is important. Postures such as chest openers and shoulder stretches as well as deep breathing is very beneficial. Working and strengthening under-utilised areas such as the back and posterior shoulders, the glutes, core and upper body Improving stability and preventing falls with poses that coordinate opposite sides of the body, standing and kneeling poses, foot awareness work and moving from pose to pose are key areas to work on as we age. Down-regulating the nervous system by emphasising the parasympathetic nervous system through mindful movement, Yoga Nidra, body scans, yin and restorative poses, Savasana, breath work and meditation. Cultivating acceptance of the stage of life we find ourselves in is extremely important. This may involve a gradual withdrawal from family and worldly life, to prepare for life as we age. Concepts from yoga philosophy can be helpful here - svadhyaya (self-study), vairagya (non-attachment) and santosha (contentment) There are many tools of yoga that can support the body, mind and emotions as we age. Why not give yoga or yoga therapy a try and see what it can do for you.