Key Takeaways:
We require all students to be on camera and practicing during class.
Students are generally muted during class (unless you are unmuting to ask a question), so don't worry about it being loud at home!
While we try to give a little bit of time to make sure you can get your camera on, teachers are instructed to remove students who don't have their camera on after giving a request to turn on your camera - if this happens, we'll do everything we can to help get your tech set up for next class!
Not interested in being on camera? We do know that this doesn't work for everyone! We have a large collection in our video library if you would prefer to not be in a live class.
First, a little about our Camera On Policy:
When we started Ompractice – almost a decade ago now! – we knew we wanted to create a place where people could come together from the comfort of our own homes – but which still provided the community, safety, and accountability of an in-person experience.
At the time, being on camera on Zoom was still a little weird for everyone, but we found early on that having everyone on camera made our classes more successful, and people ended up accomplishing what they set out to do – and we saw significantly better outcomes in helping our students achieve their goals.
Put simply, we've observed first hand over the years that camera-on is the secret sauce to helping people stay in class and achieve their goals.
We've also built a place where anyone, regardless of ability or age, can practice safely knowing that a teacher can actually see you and meet you where you are. This visibility means that teachers can focus on supporting proper form and technique – reducing the risk of injury and enhancing the effectiveness of each session.
Many students come to Ompractice with chronic pain, injuries, and health needs: safety is very important! This is the best way we can keep people safe while progressing in their practice.
A few unexpected benefits of camera-on classes:
We believe that the best accountability comes from being part of a community. Having everyone on camera helps our teachers provide personalized feedback and support, keeping you motivated and on track. Plus, it gently encourages everyone to show up and participate fully, just like in an in-person class.
Additionally, the camera-on policy addresses safety concerns because we work with a lot of special populations, we require this – by allowing our teachers to focus on and guide students in real-time, making sure we create a safe and supportive environment for all.
Preventing bad behavior: It also means that we are able to quickly react to anyone attempting to use Ompractice for non-well-intended reasons. (In the world of the internet, anything can happen - we want to make sure this is a safe space for all.)
We also love being a place where you can be a "regular"! In addition to our amazing teachers, we love seeing people get to know each other and the community that has grown over the years.
Common Concerns:
Are other students watching me?
Generally, no. Students are focused on their own practice, and paying attention to the teacher. (The default view in our classes is generally to watch the pinned teacher if they are demo-ing. While you can participate in a class in gallery view, people are generally focused on their own thing.)
Do I have to participate, or can I just watch?
We don't allow students to come in and just watch the class – we do ask that you actively participate in class. (If you'd like to watch a class first, we welcome you to do so from the video library.)
I'm nervous about my background:
Keep it simple: choose an area where you feel comfortable. Your practice space doesn’t need to be perfect or clean; just make sure it’s safe and functional for you. Ompractice students practice from wherever they can! Living room, bedrooms, outside, even sneaking in a meditation session in a closet or bathroom (parents, IYKYK!)
Position your camera: Make sure your camera is positioned to show your full body if possible. Ideally, it should capture you from head to toe when you’re standing and sitting, but we know this isn't possible for everyone! If you need some help with setup, feel free to ask your teacher. More tips on setting up your space here.
What to do during interruptions:
Please do not turn off your camera – if you need to hop out of the frame for a minute or two to grab something, go to the bathroom, or to address a situation – that's okay! (If you need to leave for a longer period of time, please drop the teacher a note so they don't worry. You can also let the teacher know if you need to sign out of class and rejoin if need be.)
Generally, you are muted during class, we see our fair share of small humans and pets of Ompractice wandering in during class! (If for some reason you aren't muted, your teacher will mute you if there is a commotion! Don't worry about it!)