During these strange times, new yoga teachers (all yoga teachers actually) might have difficulty finding a job teaching in a yoga studio. Even with studios beginning to open with new protocol and class size limitations, some students just aren’t ready to return to the studio. But we ARE all ready to see each other again, even if at a distance. The good news is that this is happening during a season in which it is easier to teach in an outdoor environment.
Whether or not you’re affiliated with a yoga studio (such as Branches of Yoga, offering outdoor classes at Millard Cooper Park) teaching at a local park can be the perfect solution to teaching outdoors. Your city or local municipal park is probably well maintained and provides trees for shade and maybe even a pavilion for the possible rain shower that pops up. Scheduling classes for early in the morning or later in the evening might be a good option to avoid hotter temperatures. If the park has a trail system, you might consider a nature workshop which would include hiking and yoga. Be sure to check with the city or county park administrator for permission to use the facilities especially if you are charging for classes (versus teaching karma classes to a group of friends). You will also want to check with your insurance provider to make sure you are covered for such an event.
Wineries and breweries are usually looking for events to put on their schedules and may jump at the opportunity to include a yoga class on their calendar. Teaching at a venue such as this can be very exciting especially since there are some unknowns right from the start. You will want to visit the venue personally to scope out the space and decide how to best orient the class. Consider the grade of the land (is it level or gently sloped) and where your mat should be located in order to effectively teach the class. How many students can fit in the space (remember to account for social distancing!)? Assess parking and other facilities while you’re visiting. Talk to the events coordinator to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding registration, class size, and advertising. You never know, if successful, this may turn into a recurring event. Remember to check on insurance, and in this case the venue may be covered but always best to double check.
Another rewarding place to experience teaching outdoors is by the water. This can be anywhere from oceanfront to bayside and anything in between such as a lake, river, or pond. The soothing sights and sounds of water have been proven to calm the mind and is an added draw for yoga students. I’ve attended classes at the beach (check out Namasteve at Palisades Park in San Diego, CA) where we gazed out at the waves, surfers, and dolphins while moving through a flow of sun salutations and ended in an amazing savasana while listening to the surf crashing on shore and palm trees rustling in the wind. It was quite an amazing and memorable yoga experience. Any waterfront location can be equally as satisfying. I once attended an outdoor class stream side where we could hear the meditative sounds of a babbling brook nearby. Blue Lotus Yoga Studio in Annapolis, Maryland offers classes on the floating dock of the Annapolis Sailing School overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Don’t forget options such as Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga, or even kayaking and yoga (two separate activities one following the next). Additional training may be required to teach these types of classes and don’t forget any special safety equipment that may be needed such as water shoes and personal flotation devices. Waterfront locations also take some pre-planning. Be sure to do your research, obtain permission, and understand who is responsible for liability and insurance.
Who doesn’t enjoy spending time on a farm? Wide open spaces, crops growing in rolling fields, and farm animals roaming in pastures nearby. Like breweries and wineries, some farm businesses welcome the opportunity to add yoga to their schedule of events. I’ve seen many farm yoga events advertised recently in our local area. Yoga at Serene Lavender Farm hosted by Branches of Yoga Studio, in Sykesville, Maryland invites you to enjoy a one hour all levels yoga class and stay after to explore the lavender fields! The farm offers many lavender related items for sale such as lotions, candles, and therapeutic grade lavender oil. Yoga on the Farm, at the Willet Family Farm in Westminster, Maryland, hosted by Lisa Thomas Fitness offers a one hour yoga class, a special gift from a local farm, and promises a “peaceful, rejuvenating outdoor experience on a local farm.” They both sound so appealing to me and are recurring events! Search for local events to see what’s being offered then use your creativity to imagine what you could offer to students in your area. As with any outdoor location, one obstacle to overcome is the weather. If a pavilion or available space in a barn is onsite then no problem – but if completely open to the elements a rain date or cancellation policy might be in order. Once again, scope out the property first and meet with the property owner/operator to work out logistics.
Last but certainly not least, teaching online through Zoom, Facebook, or YouTube continues to be an alternative to teaching in a studio. Why not take your virtual classes outdoors as well. Set up on your deck, patio, or near your garden to make the sights and sounds of nature your backdrop. It’s been an interesting time teaching virtually and in some respects it’s allowed us to get to know each other just a little more. As teachers, we’ve been sharing bits and pieces of our homes through our online teaching platforms and in some cases our students are sharing their screens and bits of their environment too.
As we continue to ease back into soft studio openings and future unknowns, it’s a good idea to explore all of our alternative teaching options. We know that students need to experience the benefits of yoga now more than ever and as yoga teachers we should do our best to accommodate them with a variety of offerings. As we approach the fall and winter seasons, the need to retreat back indoors will become a reality. Why not seize the opportunity now to create outdoor spaces where we can practice yoga, breathe, meditate, and enjoy the fresh air and open spaces.
