A few weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity to speak to Bianca Rochell, the creator of Yoga by Bianca, to see the opportunities in yoga during COVID-19. It definitely amazed me the adaptability of some studios to remote capabilities and really made me wonder how other instructors view these current trends. I reached out to Andi Fitzgerald, a RYT-200 yoga instructor, to get more understanding on what this current environment is like for instructors.
Hello Andi, what health measures have been placed to ensure the safety of students?
I’ll start with saying that since COVID, I no longer teach in studios. I do know know a lot of yoga studios are at a very limited capacity to ensure that space between students is possible. Mindfulness towards keeping things clean and spacing students out was happening before shut downs at studios I taught at. I see what’s posted on social media platforms and I know yoga studios in this area are doing their best to keep students safe. I personally have chosen to teach mostly virtual moving forward.
Prior to COVID I taught 10-12 classes at yoga studios, a senior center, and assisted and active living senior communities. Now, I teach independently online through Zoom. I’ve taught an accessible style of yoga for over 2 years now. I have a yoga for everybody approach. A lot of my classes have ended up being frequented by seniors, those with injuries or recovering from injuries, and chronic illness. Once COVID hit and studios were closed I immediately knew I had to come up with a different platform to teach. I had a feeling that the accessible classes that my students were used to would be left out from the online classes that studios would start teaching. I didn’t want to them to fall through the cracks and no longer have access to my classes. A lot of my students still have not returned to in person group classes and that’s very understandable since they are at a higher risk. Since April, I’ve taught at least 3 classes a week through Zoom, mostly chair yoga. Safety for the students I teach is my main reason for no longer teaching in studios or in person classes at this time. I feel that virtually is the safest way for a lot of students to practice right now.
What are the key advantages and disadvantages to teaching virtually versus coaching an in-person class?
Initially, I thought that virtual classes would be short lived, the students wouldn’t like them, and in person group classes would resume. But as the months have gone by I’ve heard students in my classes say how nice it is to be in their own homes for class. Virtual yoga is extremely flexible. They don’t have to get in their cars and drive anywhere. They also don’t have to risk going to group classes during a pandemic. That’s probably the main advantage. The biggest disadvantage is safety. I’m unable to see most students or see them closely enough to be able to help correct alignment. I try to give as many queues as I possibly can to try to avoid incorrect alignment which can lead to injuries. I discuss alignment and safety so much, I often wonder if behind their screens students are telling me to shut up already. Another disadvantage is a lack of interaction in person, it’s not as communal as in person classes. I have to admit Zoom has been extremely helpful with this though! I’ve watched and listened as students talk to each other before and after class virtually. It’s different, for sure, but it’s still allowing a space to interact and gather and have a sense of community. I think ultimately the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Have any pricing or membership structures changed due to COVID or are there any predicted changes?
I can’t speak about studios, but for me I have the privilege and ability to offer donation based classes. I will start by saying this is by no means something I am advocating yoga instructors or studios to do. Yoga instructors notoriously are not paid their worth. I ask for a recommended donation of $5 per class or $12 for a week of 3 classes but payment is not required to join class. I have the ability to offer donation based classes and so that is what I have done through this COVID time. My main reason for donation based classes is to try to bring the benefits of yoga during a stressful time to anyone who wants to practice. Yoga studios are a business and they are trying to survive right now, as they should. I’m teaching in the hallway of my house through zoom with dogs barking and lawn mowers roaring in the background. I’m not teaching from a studio space I rent. I feel like I can work with a different pricing structure. Do I want to get paid what I feel I’m worth? Of course! But I also feel that if someone wants to practice but can’t afford it, the least I can do right now is to help them anyway possible. I think instructors and studios will need to get creative to survive the pandemic.
With many Dallas residents bored at home seeking new ways to exercise, has your marketing changed to find new untapped demographics?
My marketing has changed slightly. I’ve reached out through Facebook groups such as parenting groups and neighborhood groups to offer my classes to them and I have picked up several students that way! A lot of us are at home and offering classes during the day through zoom is super convenient for a lot of people. My newest marketing is reaching out to those who are virtual learning or home schooling this year to offer Yoga classes over zoom to parents and their kids. There are several instructors I’ve seen offering this and I think it’s a great idea to help kids move their bodies while they are at home so much.
Are there any yoga trends that can be expected in a post-COVID Dallas?
I think online yoga is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. Before COVID I taught 10-12 in person classes a week. Sometimes people were elbow to elbow. That’s just not going to happen again anytime soon. We have to learn to adapt in life. This is just one more way we are adapting to our current situation and even though it’s for sure different, it’s working. People are bringing the practice of yoga to others in their living rooms through Zoom. Everyone can benefit greatly from yoga right now and you don’t need to attend a gym or studio to find a yoga practice. I would have never thought this is how I would be teaching when I first started my career as a yoga instructor but its happening and we’re all learning to adapt.
