So I thought I’d have a clear picture of yoga, life and everything by now, but I do not.
What I do know: -Courtenay Rec has canceled the rest of the Fall session -Nourish is likely to return to in-person sessions but a few details need to be ironed out first -Zoom (live online) classes will continue in some form And everything else falls under the heading of “I dunno…yet”. So what am I going to do about it? I am going to have a "Strategic Planning Session" with myself tomorrow, and in to the weekend, if required. It will probably involve a few spreadsheets, several big pieces of paper, coloured markers, sticky notes, my meditation cushion, and chocolate. And maybe some glitter too. My goals: -plan a zoom yoga schedule for the remainder of December -figure out how best to register and track students for said classes (so far, my systems have been flawed!) -update my policies -lay on the floor and breathe for 3 minutes every working hour -find a clear way to articulate my findings to you So please send me good vibes of all sorts. hugs to all of you! :)
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As most of you know, all in person classes are on hold again. So i decided to take the plunge and offer my current classes as on-line, live classes via Zoom.
If you are not on my email list, and you are interested in attending an on-line live class, please send me a note via the contact form on my "contact/bio" page. So, you are interested, what do you need to participate? If you are already familiar with ZOOM, skip below to PROPS & SPACE. NEW TO ZOOM?
PROPS & SPACE This will all depend on what class you are taking.
This is just a starting point. I will add more as i think of it. Questions? Let me know. Suggestions? Let me know. HUGS! ![]() It took a few months to get this together. With many stops and starts. I had to continually remind myself of my own advice with this project (click here for that blog post) ; “I do not have the skills, ability, energy or understanding to accomplish this task right now. So be gentle. Do what I can when I can. This IS something that WILL happen because I am passionate about it. BUT it will happen only when it happens and not a moment sooner”. Well that moment finally arrived. My first offering is one you might already be aware of in video form. “Guided Relaxation - Savasana”. I recorded this in audio format specifically for Insight Timer. It is the same script but a few minutes shorter and likely will feel different as it was recorded at a different time. The links are at the bottom of this email. First, A bit about Insight Timer: -A smartphone app for meditation, sleep, stress education, relaxing music and so much more. -An amazing free basic version with over 35,000 titles (music, talks and meditations) provided by experts such as neuroscientists, psychologists, mindfulness & yoga teachers, lecturers and professors. -A paid option that provides access to 400 courses and additional features like rewind, repeat and download. Teachers CAN earn an income on Insight Timer “We calculate who earns what based on two metrics only; Total play count (75%) and Teacher engagement (25%). As well, teachers can receive donations from their listeners.” This means that you can support teachers by
You don’t have the app, but you want it.... 1. On your smartphone, click on the Google Play Store app and search for “Insight Timer”. Download and start using! (if you need help with this step, or how to use the app, let me know and i will walk you through it.) 2. On your computer, head over to https://insighttimer.com/. And you will see a floating button at the bottom of the page that says “download our app”. If you click on that, you can enter your cell phone # and they will send you a text message with the link to download. (I have not used this option so i am not entirely sure of the steps. If you have, and you’d be willing to share some details, then i will pass them along too). And if you are reading this on your phone, and you have the Insight Timer app, click on the links below and (you should) be taken directly there. https://insighttimer.com/yogasheron https://insighttimer.com/yogasheron/guided-meditations/guided-relaxation-savasana-2 I look forward to practicing with you in the new way! hugs! The results are in!
First i'd like to thank everyone that took the time to respond to the survey! so here are the main results: Who is watching? 53% of you are watching/making use of my videos. And of those, 75% watch them via Virtual Rec on the City web site, and the next highest 44% on my YouTube channel. 75% would like notification when new content is uploaded, 56% would like regularly scheduled content, 50% would like themed series Who isn't watching? 47% are not watching. And 100% of you said part of the reason is because you prefer in-person. And the next highest 36% of you have your own practice, and 29% don't have adequate equipment. Live on-line classes? 40% no 26% did not respond (though all that didn't respond to this question answered "no" to watching videos so we could speculate they also do not want to watch live either. If that is the case, "no" would be 66%). 22% yes 12% maybe In the category of "anything else":
So thank you once again for participating. If you have anything else you'd like to add, or if you have any questions, please reach out! hugs! ![]() Alrighty! i had a great strategic planning session with myself and the outcome.... a survey! I have questions i need answered and the only way to get the answers, is to ask the questions! This is your opportunity to shape the future of on-line yoga with Sheron. Let your voice be heard! So click on the link above (or the words "a survey") and it will direct you to separate page on my web site. There are 8 questions. There are also options as to how you take the survey. If you have any questions:
The survey will close on Monday July 13th. And i will be away from my computer from Tuesday June 30th to Wednesday July 8th. I look forward to hearing your opinions! hugs! ![]() What i I know:
So what does this all mean? Well, i am going to get my newsprint and markers out. It is time to have another strategic planning session with myself. Then, i need to make contact with you, my viewers. I have some (more) questions that need answers before i can proceed. :) ![]() Oh My Word. So i thought of a great way to adapt the way i offer on-line videos/classes to better personalize and track.... but apparently, my idea, it isn't as simple as that. I see now, why i became the "stick in the mud" person re technology. It seems that every idea i have, to simplify, actually requires MANY steps in front; and those steps are mostly researching a new product &/or software. Of course, this then also leads to learning this new item! Ai ai ai! So i am not "back to the drawing board" just yet, but i am taking a step back to analyze my intentions and time and finances. I guess, what i really, really need to make a decision on is:
It might be. So for today, i am going to take a step back and regroup. I am also going to take this pause time to do some digital organizing and decluttering. I need to let go of some of the weight on my blog. So that feels like a do-able project, with a positive outcome. :) ![]() Well, that was unexpected!
Today was day 1 of catch up.
I am looking forward to connecting with you again! :) ![]() I have upgraded my website. So today i am going to play with some the new-to-me features. I am hoping this will open up some versatile ways for you (and me) to use this website. I won't go into details just yet as it would be all speculation. I will update you when i have something to share. Hugs and Happy Friday everyone! I am so grateful that i can continue to connect with you in this time of dis-connect. :) ![]() Phew! What a lovely and different day! I started out the day by attending a webinar on Pain and Movement. Fascinating! Then i headed over to the Lewis Centre and recorded another Gentle Yoga session. I added, as per request, some "leg in the strap" and "chest openers" to this one. The learning curve continues. The camera that was recording me stopped after 33 minutes. And of course, i didn't know. So i had to re-record the last 10-15 minutes over. But, i am getting better at this! It is much easier to start and stop and start again. I am grateful for all this learning. My brain is delightfully tired so i am going to chill for the rest of the day. :) hugs ![]() Well, that was unexpected and delightful! Good news:
:) ![]() Today:
Happy Tuesday everyone! :) Happy June everyone!
I am still in research mode. Today was learning all about DSLR vs Camcorders. 4K vs. HD. And a couple other heady subjects. I thought i found a suitable camera but then when i went to buy it, no one, not even the manufacturer has them in stock. So i went back to square one. I have found a few more to investigate but my brain's capacity to research seems to be 3 hours. So i will return to it tomorrow. Also, the Play with Balance video i recorded at Courtenay Rec 10 days ago is supposedly out, but i have not had a chance to look for it and therefore watch it. So if you are search savy, go find it! And... I will (hopefully) go in to Courtenay Rec again later this week to record another video! I have not yet had a chance to research an editing program for glueing those 2 Restorative practice bits together. It is on my list! Maybe I need to hire an assistant! Ha ha! And i have a filming test session planned: i would like to really understand the video capabilities on my phone. Specifically, how long can i record before it cuts off? And is this consistent? This should be a fairly easy experiment as all i need to do is set the format, (& make note of the format), press record on my phone and walk away. Then go back every once in a while and check on progress. I have been inspired bu all the camcorder review videos i have been watching. ![]() AVCHD vs. XAVC, codecs and wrappers (not candy wrappers!), intra frame, log GOP.... I started researching video cameras a.k.a. camcorders about 3.5 hours ago. There is A LOT to learn!! I have learned so very much. And i realize now that i have way more to learn before i can even consider buying a camera! Every camera has its pros and cons depending on what you are using it for and that you want at the end. Some of the features that are important to me:
So now, i just need to find ONE camcorder that does all that. So far i have fully researched a few Sony and a couple Canons and they DO NOT fit the bill, for one reason or another. Tomorrow, i will continue my learning and search. Now, i must go rest my brain! happy Thursday! hugs ![]() Ok, so as it was so aptly put to me a few minutes ago, it is time to let go of "pseudo technology"!!! I spent 2 hours recording a Restorative yoga video today with some of my "usual" technology issues.
i think, the universe is telling me to keep moving forward, keep upping my game, keep learning the next level. So i am also going to start researching other ways of recording videos i.e. camera versus laptop versus phone etc. And unlike this bear, i will not hide in a hole in a tree! I will move forward! I will learn! YES!! :) Wish me luck, send me good vibes! Today i did a lot of editing to an audio version of Savasana i recorded a while back. My goals were:
It took 1.50 hours, but i did it. Editing is slow. I have a lot of empathy for those in the music and movie biz now. I get how much work it really is! An hour and a half to trim 4 minutes out of an audio clip! here are some of the why's:
All in all it was a great learning experience. I believe that the next step is to learn an audio editing program on my computer. So i will add that to my research list. :) Happy Monday! ![]() Today is a day of research and learning. But first, an update (the reasons "why" i am in research mode today):
So in light of the 3 realizations above, my brain has been switched to over-drive again. Over the last couple days i have had a couple brain storming sessions with a couple friends/colleagues around "yoga teaching in this new word" and "what gifts has this time of isolation given and how do I carry those forward?". I love love love brain storming sessions, especially when there is space given for ideas to flow freely (mindful listening). When I know that I can just process and blurt stuff out without fear of judgement of ideas being shot down, the juices flow! So i have some ideas that need to percolate now. And as usually happens, more questions have come up, and will probably continue to do so. My research today is on the capacity of my web site and what upgrading will offer. Some of the ideas i have will require a step up in "bells and whistles". My basic plan will not cut it. So stay tuned! If any of my ideas are doable, i will let you know. And yes, i will let you know if they are not doable also. hugs! ![]() I went to the Lewis Centre today to re-record the video that didn't quite work out last week. I planned and even made myself cue cards so i'd remember all the important bits. I had a couple false starts (i am getting used to those now). It felt like it was going smoothly. Well, when i finished and went to press stop, the screen was black, which means, at some point, the camera stopped recording. GAH! So with help from D, we figured out roughly where it stopped and i re-started from that point. I am not 100% sure i got it right. I hope so. Hopefully when the video gets to L, the editor, she can figure out my mishap and "sew" the 2 videos together. HA HA HA! I am not upset, nor was i at the time of discovery. I am getting used to the random glitches that occur with equipment. Dare i say, i am coming to peace with technology. Well, for today anyways. ;) ![]() I was in admin brain again today. So i went with it. There are so many little jobs to be done that can take up a whole day, if I let them. And i did. It feels good to have many of them complete. Filing, sorting, shredding, correlating, organizing, compiling... I also cleaned up my email; deleting, sorting, compiling, cross referencing.... Phew! I feel light now. Happy Thursday! ![]() I was in "admin" brain today so i went with it. I had not been able to complete everything last week so i figured I'd keep going while the momentum was there. I am up to date to the end of March with my financials and 90% of my admin work is done! YAY! I am looking forward to getting back to recording and am excited for the upcoming projects. Happy Tuesday! I hope you are all well and riding the waves of change with ease, grace and gratitude. hugs! ![]() Happy Friday everyone! So my recording at Lewis Centre yesterday was challenging. I was not focused and i kept losing the flow. I decided to let it go. So i will go in again next week to re-record. One of the reasons i felt unfocused is that i didn't listen to my intuition when it urged me to make a light plan for the recording - that was also what i stated in my post yesterday! It happens. It sucks when my gut is right and i don't listen. BUT it is another opportunity to learn. So i enter this work day and long weekend with the question: How can i slow down, pause and listen intelligently to the inner cues? How can i be open to receive? On the table for today:
And before i sign off for the long weekend, a bit about today's photo. I saw a long time friend and student yesterday and her lilac bush was in full glory. The aroma was intoxicating! She clipped a bouquet for me to take home. It is off and on keeping me company while i work. I say off and on because the aroma is incredibly strong and while it is glorious, it feels a little overwhelming at times. The good side of that is that i keep getting up and down from my desk to move it outside, or back inside. I am certain my body will appreciate that by the end of the day. Also, this image ended up with a soft focus - accidentally. The lens of my camera was dirty and i didn't know. When i saw the pic i thought "ahhhhh....". I believe this will be a nice combo with the questions above and will form the theme of my long weekend. "Soft focus and sighs" to all of you! Hugs! ![]() I am getting comfortable and skilled at editing videos now on YouTube. I am also getting skilled at pausing while recording when i've made a mistake and starting over. Yay! and Phew! The good thing about getting better, is that i am braving some trickier edits - like the video (How To Improvise A Bolster) i just posted (see "expand" page). I realized that i talked extensively (in the video) about Halfmoon Yoga Products and i put myself into new territory. This product chat could be seen as product endorsement which would put my video into different category AND add extra bits to my video. YouTube's explanation on what qualifies as "product endorsement" is ambiguous. Since i am not likely to get a response to my inquiry into clarification in a timely fashion, i decided to edit out that bit of my video - thereby removing any possibility of confusion. I don't need to get myself in trouble, nor do i want my video to get removed. Plus, from what i was reading, there are legal guidelines outside of just YouTube that need to be followed re product endorsement and i am not yet ready to read that extensively on the subject - especially since i am not actually profiting from the "endorsement"! :) ![]() Well I have to trust there is a reason only one of the four videos I recorded yesterday worked out. Restorative practice? nope. Belly Breath practice? goner. How to make your own yoga blocks? sorry, it didn’t make it either. Sigh. I watched them all to see if anything was salvageable but no. HOWEVER; “How to improvise a bolster” survived and turned out well. So to the editing table I go. It should be up on my web site and my YouTube Channel tomorrow, that is, unless it somehow meets the same fate as the other fallen videos. HA HA HA! I can only laugh, sigh, surrender to “what is” and start over. Boy, am I gonna be resilient after all this! :) ![]() I had a few hours this morning with an empty house so I decided to record a video. Long story short, the universe was testing me today… “How many things can we mess with until she losses her cool? Until she says I give up?” Well the answer is I don’t know. Many, many things went wrong
So the lesson in all this? I AM COMMITTED to making these videos! I AM COMMITTED to sharing! I am still feeling a little raw so I won’t look at the videos today. I need some space. But if something was salvageable from my 3.50 hours of work, I will post it! Hugs! |
Sheron's Techie JourneyI am not "new" to techie learning, by any stretch. In fact i used to teach people how to use their computers. But, that was several years ago. Since then, i have avoided learning new things on the computer. I seem to have gotten myself into a "stick in the mud" mind space in regards to all things techie. Well, that is all about to change! (March 2020)
So i have decided to take a leap and offer classes and meditations on-line. This is a HUGE LEAP, as i need to learn, what feels like a million new things. If you would like to follow my progress &/or learn from my process, check this "blog" page often And... The products of my labours will be posted on the "expand" page. Keep checking back! Archives
December 2020
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