Maybe you're new to online yoga classes and aren't sure where to start. Maybe you've been practicing yoga virtually for a while but feel like the space where you practice can be improved. Look no more, I got you covered!
The Essentials
Let's start by looking at the essentials. You will need 3 things:
1. A yoga mat
2. A laptop (If you don't have a laptop, you can also use a tablet. What's important is that the device has camera, that the screen is big enough so you can see it at a distance, and that it can stay in place without being held.)
3. A good Wi-Fi connection (To keep things simple, if your Wi-Fi can run Netflix, you should be all set!)
But WHERE do you set up your yoga mat and laptop?
Before we move on, it's important to note that wherever you set up your mat and laptop, your yoga teacher will be so happy to see you in class, no matter how your space is set up! Some of us live in studio apartments, or with roommates/kids/family/spouses, so it isn't always possible to come up with the "ideal set up", which is completely fine! These tips are simply to help guide you in setting yourself up, but are in no way mandatory! It's better that you show up to class without following these guidelines, than if you don't show up to class because you're trying to set up your space "perfectly".
- Yoga mat:
â—‹ If possible, set your yoga mat parallel to a wall, at about arm's length (at least) from the wall. If you're tight on space, move some furniture around, and place your mat wherever it fits.
â—‹ Meg's Pro Tip: Remove any objects within arm's length of the 4 sides of your mat. This will allow you enough space to spread your wings in Warrior 3, or to take a nice spinal twist, without knocking over a lamp!
- Laptop:
â—‹ Location: Set your laptop so that it is facing the long end of your mat, meaning, if your laptop camera was on, it would capture your mat horizontally. Ideally (but not necessarily), your laptop should be aligned with the middle of your mat.
○ Distance: If you have the space, set your laptop 9-10 feet (2.75-3 meters) away from your mat. This will allow the teacher to see your whole body in all postures (which will help them provide you with better cues), and it will also allow you to see your teacher when need be. If you have trouble seeing your laptop screen or if you don’t have that much space, bring your laptop closer! The teacher may not see every inch of your body in all postures, but the goal is for you to enjoy your yoga experience, so if that means a closer laptop, by all means, do it!
â—‹ Height: Ideally, try to place the laptop at shoulder height so that the camera captures your entire body. If this isn't possible, set the laptop at a lower height if YOU want to see the teacher better, and set the laptop at a higher height if you want the TEACHER to see you better.
â—‹ Meg's Pro Tip: Boxes are your friend! Maybe you have some banker's boxes handy, or boxes in storage. You can pile them one on top of the other, or place them on a table to give your laptop more height.
â—‹ Meg's Pro Tip: When playing with the angle of the laptop camera, see if you can set it in a way that the bottom of your mat appears at the bottom of your screen. For instance, if you were to take a picture, there should be just a little floor space between the bottom of your mat and the bottom the picture (take a look at the picture of this blog for a clear visual!).
Taking your Yoga Lounge to the Next Level
If you're looking to take your Yoga Lounge to the next level, here are some game changers:
- Practice in a quiet room where you can be alone (no people, no pets)
- Have yoga props close by for easy access while you're practicing. If you currently don't own any yoga props, feel free to check out my blog on alternative options: Alternatives to Yoga Props: how to use household items in your virtual yoga practice.
- Place some nice, neutral, calming decorative items close by, like plants and statues.
- Remove items that can potentially be distracting while practicing, such as phones, clocks, items you use while working (like a uniform or briefcase), etc. Keeping the area as neutral as possible will allow you to focus more on your yoga practice.
- Place your mat along a wall without a window. This way, you don't get any unwanted backlighting, and your yoga teacher will see you clearly, which means they will be able to give you better cues.
- Have a blanket, socks and/or a sweater close by if you have a tendency to feel cold during final relaxation (Savasana). When your yoga teacher begins to guide you into Savasana, you can easily grab them before entering final relaxation.
Remember, the most important thing is that you show up to practice, the rest is just the cherry on top!
Namaste.
Meg
