If you’re considering doing a yoga teacher training online, you probably have a laundry list of attributes that you are looking for in the training. But there is one attribute that I want to be sure you don’t overlook and that is — how is the content being delivered? If it is being delivered solely in a live format on Zoom, take it as a sign to find another training.
The truth is, there is a massive learning curve for yoga teachers and schools to adopt best practices of online education. And yes, broadcast quality cameras, audio, and lighting are expensive.
But — we are more than a year into the pandemic. Any teacher or school who is still offering an accredited teacher training solely via Zoom needs to level up so that the students have the best learning experience possible. Another way of saying this: If you are choosing to invest in your yoga training, every single studio and teacher should be investing in HOW they are training you.
To be clear: In my online teacher intensives and the long format 500-hour advanced teacher training, we do use Zoom. But we use it the way it was originally intended — for meeting together. More specifically, we use Zoom for two weeks of daily meetings to discuss the day’s practice and lectures. We use it as an opportunity to connect, to see each other, and to share questions and feedback. We also use it in smaller groups with our JCYM-trained mentors.
But we do not use Zoom to deliver the bulk of the curriculum. Instead, we use a platform that is designed to deliver thorough educational experiences. Here’s why:
→ ZOOM IS NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH
We’ve all been on Zoom calls where we are intermittently booted out for reasons that no one can explain.
Imagine being in the middle of a two-hour vinyasa practice with your group. and being booted off. You try to get back on and you’re stuck in the waiting room. This happens again. And again. And again.
We’ve all had days like this, when the internet gods are not smiling upon us. But if you are making a big investment in your education, you do not want to miss huge chunks of your practices or lectures because your connection decided to be fussy that day.
Pre-recorded lectures and practices means that I can guarantee you HD-quality audio and visuals — no static, no glitches, no getting booted out in the middle of Chaturanga.
→ ZOOM IS NOT DESIGNED FOR ONLINE COURSES
Zoom was not designed as an educational platform — it was designed for meetings.
Colleges, universities and corporations have done online trainings long before the pandemic and guess what? They don’t use Zoom! That’s because Zoom doesn’t even come close to the baseline standard of a learning management system in terms of organization, ease of use, or reliability.
→ YOU CAN’T CREATE A WELL-ORGANIZED HUB
In an online training, you need one central hub where everything is located — your videos, your manual, your schedule, your connection to customer service, and more. That’s why our trainings are hosted on a platform that is designed for online education.
I’ve created this training so that you can revisit lectures and practices over and over again. Each day is broken down into organized, clearly labelled lessons that you can easily find and review for six months.
Here’s a preview of what the learning platform looks like:
→ ZOOM IS INCREDIBLY FATIGUING
Do you really want to spend 300 hours and thousands of dollars looking at a little box? You and I both know that you don’t.
→ SO WHY ARE FOLKS STILL LEADING TRAININGS ON ZOOM??
Two reasons: it’s cheap and it’s easy. There is no learning curve with Zoom.
Zoom is made for short-term, brief duration use. It’s ideal for meetings, connecting with your friends and family or for doing short practices online.
If, however, you’re considering doing a yoga teacher training that is only on Zoom, I suggest that you run — don’t walk — in the other direction.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email here or click here for more info about my training!
