EXERCISING CAUTION
Regina yoga studio using interactive classes to build community, reduce stress
Barb Mccaslin teaches a web-based yoga class being run at Bodhi Tree Yoga on 13th Avenue in Regina. Due to concern around COVID-19, regular classes have been cancelled but Bodhi Tree is now offering interactive online classes.
There aren’t usually toddlers at Bodhi Tree yoga classes, but one arrived with a friendly interruption earlier this week.
Since then, instructors are advising their clients to turn off their computer’s microphone once the exercise begins.
Due to gathering bans during the COVID -19 pandemic, this is Week 1 of online classes for the Regina yoga studio, which has built a community over the years.
That’s why Colin Hall wanted to offer interactive classes during the studio’s temporary closure, instead of presenting a one-sided video streaming or recording.
“A lot of people come to yoga for community and for connection and to share stories with people. Our yoga studio I think very often feels more like a community centre than it does like a gym. And the thought of losing that aspect of the business, I just was not OK with that,” said Hall, who co-owns Bodhi Tree with his wife, Sarah Garden.
Using the Zoom video-conferencing platform, each participant appears in a little box on the screen — “think about the show Hollywood Squares, if you remember that,” said Hall.
Similar to in-person classes, “We spend a couple minutes at the start of every class just checking in on people and talking and asking questions and seeing how people are feeling about things and asking if there’s anything that people want to work on, in particular,” said Hall.
“So we’re trying to sort of create a sense of normalcy, because everything is so weird right now. So we didn’t just want to go to recorded, on-demand classes, where people press play and then the teacher starts talking and you get your yoga in — and that’s good — but you don’t get that sense of being with other people, or having people care about how you’re doing or how you’re feeling or everything else that comes along with a yoga class.”
The classes are offered, as usual, for a fee. But, Bodhi Tree is offering two classes each week free of charge. Both focus on meditation, for very good reason:
“I am a very relaxed person — like I do not stress out easy — and I am stressed out,” said Hall.
“The uncertainty right now is really difficult for our nervous systems.
“It is hard on everybody. I think anybody who’s not really stressed out right now probably is not paying attention. And so just taking a look at how we can serve; what is the thing that people need most? In my mind right now it’s relaxation.”
The meditation classes being a “priority,” Hall said Bodhi Tree will “deliver these two free classes a week, every week, for as long as this goes on.”
The meditation classes are Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and cap at 500 participants. Sign up for these and other classes at bodhitreeyoga.com.
Other yoga and fitness studios are doing similar things. They include:
Pure Living Yoga in Emerald Park, which is also using Zoom for free online classes. (purelivingyoga.com)
“In these uncertain times, we truly believe your yoga practice is more important than ever. This is not the time to neglect your body, mind, or your emotions,” the business stated on Facebook.
“We also believe it is our responsibility to make sure this community has the option to continue practicing.”
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness, which is also using Zoom for live online classes (and recordings later available), while its three Regina locations are temporarily closed. (oxygenyogaandfitness.com)
Level 10 gym, which is offering free pre-recorded video workouts, and discounted private training through Facetime and Skype. It is also planning to livestream classes. To facilitate workouts, Level 10 has also rented out equipment, including dumbbells, kettlebells and boards. (level10regina.com)
FLY Fitness and Aerial Arts, which is posting free workout videos to its social media. (flyfitregina. com)
Local Barre, which is doing dance/fitness classes on Instagram Live. (instagram.com/localbarrefitness)
Wheelhouse Cycle Club, which is offering “wheelhome” cycling classes, after delivering bikes to clients at their homes. (wheelhousecycleclub.com)