The Definitive Guide to Teaching Hybrid Yoga Classes

Hybrid yoga classes combine in-person instruction with live online streaming, allowing students to participate either in the studio or remotely. A hybrid class is a single session that accommodates both in-studio and online students simultaneously. In-studio participants follow the class in the traditional setting, while remote students join via live video. The goal is to deliver a unified experience, ensuring both groups receive consistent instruction, guidance, and engagement.

This format enables yoga teachers to expand their reach, increase flexibility, and manage operations efficiently using tools like Momoyoga, which can streamline class scheduling, payments, attendance tracking, and communication for both in-studio and online participants.

In this article

• Benefits of Hybrid Yoga Teaching
• Challenges and Considerations
• Technical Setup and Preparations
• Running a Hybrid Class

Benefits of Hybrid Yoga Teaching

Hybrid yoga teaching offers multiple advantages for both instructors and students. From an operational standpoint, it expands reach, allowing you to connect with local students returning to the studio as well as remote participants worldwide. Financially, hybrid classes remove the constraints of studio capacity, creating the potential for increased revenue streams.

For students, hybrid classes provide flexibility, enabling them to choose the format that best suits their schedules or comfort level. The combination of physical and virtual attendance ensures that more people can continue practicing yoga regularly, while instructors benefit from a more resilient and adaptable business model.

Challenges and Considerations

While hybrid teaching provides significant opportunities, it also introduces new challenges. Instructors must divide attention between in-studio and online students, ensuring both feel included and receive appropriate guidance. Technology introduces potential complications, including connectivity issues, audio or video disruptions, and delays that can affect the learning experience.

Privacy considerations are critical. In-studio participants must give consent to be streamed, even if they are not directly visible on camera. Additionally, instructors may find it difficult to provide hands-on adjustments or physical assists while staying on camera for online students.

For a deeper dive into managing these challenges, see tutorials on online yoga teaching and remote engagement strategies, which cover best practices for virtual student interaction, camera positioning, and real-time feedback.

Technical Setup and Preparations

Successful hybrid teaching begins with a reliable technical setup. The goal is to provide a seamless experience for both in-studio and online students, minimizing distractions and technical issues. Testing all equipment ahead of class and having a backup plan are essential steps.
Key considerations for your hybrid setup include:

1. Internet Connection: A stable connection is essential to support smooth video streaming.
2. Camera: Use a wide-angle camera positioned to capture your full range of motion. Ensure the view is unobstructed so online participants can see all postures clearly.
3. Audio: Clear sound is crucial. A directional microphone or wireless microphone is recommended to ensure instructions are heard by both in-studio and remote students.
4. Lighting: Even, bright lighting improves visibility for online participants. Avoid shadows or glare that could obscure your movements.
5. Studio Space: Organize your physical space to minimize background distractions, keeping the area clean and uncluttered.

Running a Hybrid Class

Running a hybrid class successfully requires clear communication and engagement strategies. Instructors should structure verbal cues and demonstrations to be visible and audible for both groups. Interaction is important: take time before and after class to greet participants, answer questions, and provide individual feedback. Recording sessions can offer additional value to online students through video-on-demand, which Momoyoga integrates seamlessly into your workflow.

Monitoring both audiences simultaneously is challenging initially but becomes easier with experience. Structuring cues, transitions, and demonstrations to be visible and audible to all students ensures consistency and maintains class quality.

For a deeper dive into managing these challenges, see Momoyoga’s Getting Started: The Definitive Guide to Teaching Yoga Online, which covers best practices for class setup, camera positioning, online student engagement, and technical preparation.

Additional references on hybrid teaching

Excited about the opportunity to offer hybrid yoga classes at your studio? We’ve compiled a list of additional resources that will help you get started: 

• Help Center: How can I offer hybrid classes?
• Hybrid Teaching Corporate Page
• Blog: Adapting to the New Normal
• Blog: Yoga Classes Going Hybrid
• Blog: The Virtual Teaching Bundle
• Guide to Video On Demand
• Guide to Teaching Yoga Online