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Online yoga classes: Facebook Live vs Instagram Live, Zoom issues, and which yoga types work best at home
- Virtual yoga takes some getting used to, Kevin Kwong discovers as he encounters technical glitches as an online yoga student and teacher
- To get the most out of the experience, create a space at home to lay out your yoga mat, light some candles, and place some mood-setting art
Reading Time:3 minutes
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Virtual yoga classes are nothing new. California-based Glo, originally known as YogaGlo, has been hosting online sessions since 2008. They have never been more popular.
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Having been holed up at home for more than two months to combat the spread of the new coronavirus, many of us who have a regular practice have been going digital. Just search “online yoga classes” on YouTube and you will see a long feed of videos that have been viewed by millions. All you need is an internet connection and some space in your flat to roll out the yoga mat. Most of these classes are free, or offer free trial periods.
But how well do online yoga and meditation classes work? Having been on both sides of the camera, as a student and instructor, the answer depends on a range of factors, from the space you have to the style of yoga taught and the app used.
I took my first virtual yoga class with Hong Kong’s City Contemporary Dance Company at the onset of the pandemic in mid-February. I encountered a few glitches.
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First, I was unable to download Zoom, the popular video conferencing software, onto my (old) laptop and had to install the app on my smartphone instead.
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