This article will likely go into more depth than you might need, so feel free to skim!
Setting up your camera and mat (or seat!):
When setting up your space, there are a few things to keep in mind – ideally the teacher will be able to see your whole body during class so they can teach you safely – but if they can see you from the neck down while standing, that's okay!
Set up your camera so the teacher sees most of your body: you'll want to set up your device a few feet away from where you will be sitting or standing, and position your mat with the wide part of the mat facing the camera. (If your head is cut off in the camera while standing, that's okay!)
It helps to put the device on an elevated surface: either a chair, coffee table, or table for a standing class. You can put your device on the floor but it's often a little bit of a weird angle – so we recommend propping it up on something a few feet off the ground. (You don't need a lot of space!)
Propping up your device: if you are using a phone or tablet, you can use a book, or if you don't have one, we recommend an inexpensive tablet/phone stand.
It always helps to have a power cord handy, and double check that you are on strong wifi!
Keep props handy: if you are in a class with props, it's useful to have them to the side. Some props that might be helpful: a pillow or bolster to help support your body, a blanket to keep warm in longer poses, a block or two to help extend poses (a thick book can substitute!), and some water. Here's some more about props you may want.
Here are a couple of examples of set ups:
Some notes about cameras:
It's important that your teacher can see you clearly to be able to teach and keep you safe! A few requests about cameras: thank you for helping here!
Please turn off blurred background: the blur feature looks nice for a Zoom meeting, but unfortunately makes it very hard for the teacher to see you, especially if you are doing positions where you are moving back and forth.
Please turn off automatic zooming ie: "center stage": if you are on newer iPads or iPhones, you may have a feature enabled that zooms in and out as you move – this makes it hard for a teacher to see your body (and is a little distracting!)
If your room is dark, your teacher may ask you to turn the light up.
If you aren't sure about set up, or camera settings, and you'd like some support, don't hesitate to ask us in the chat or before/after class, and we'd be happy to help troubleshoot!
Making your space comfortable:
🧱 Keep props handy: if you are in a class with props, it's useful to have them to the side. Some props that might be helpful: a pillow or bolster to help support your body, a blanket to keep warm in longer poses, a block or two to help extend poses (a thick book can substitute!), and some water.
🌡️ Heat and temperature: if you are taking a gentle or restorative class on Ompractice, or a meditation class, you may want to keep your room a little warmer than normal, or have a blanket handy!
🐶 Pets of Ompractice: one of the best parts of Ompractice are all the creatures big and small that share our practice with us. (Don't hesitate to let us know their names, and we strongly encourage you to submit your pet to pets@ompractice.com for pet of the month.)
Extra FAQs and Quick Tips:
🔈Can everyone hear me? You'll generally be muted during class, so don't worry about loud noises, etc. (If you need to ask a question, feel free to ask in chat, or unmute to ask! We typically start the class un-muted and then the teacher will mute everyone before class starts!
📵 Do Not Disturb: let your family members know you are taking a class and not to bother you! Shout out to (my own mom) who texts her adult children not to bother her during her Ompractice classes. Love you mom!
🏡 Taking classes with family members: That said, you are also more than welcome to practice with family members in the room – if you have multiple people practicing, we ask that everyone is in view of the camera. (Read more here.)