Teaching Yoga & Social Media

Yoga is an integrative, holistic system of physical, mental and spiritual practices that's at least 2,500 years old. Facebook, on the other hand, was established in 2004. Somehow the two have now become intertwined.

If you practice without posting about it, does it mean it didn't happen?

When I was Studio Coordinator at Sol, Dorcas tasked me with social media. Linda Pruce was on the team and took care of Twitter, I believe. I didn't know anything about Twitter. Dorcas said "Facebook your ass off!" She has a keen sense for business. I was excited for the role however I don't think I was very good at it. I didn't have any experience in photography or journalism and it was not as user friendly as it is now. Instagram wasn't around at that time.

I remember coming across a video about a Paratrooper who damaged both of his legs so much along with is back that he gained a lot of weight and had to walk with canes. He came across DDP Yoga and it changed his life. The video was from Youtube and was probably 2 minutes. This is what made social media special to me. The ability to inspire and connect. I asked permission to share the video on the Sol page. Eventually the task was taken off my plate. I can't say it didn't hurt my feelings because when I work on something I always put my heart into it. However, that's business. I'm still trying to figure that part out.

When I started teaching, I really fought against self promotion on social media. First, I didn't like seeing myself in photos. I was so insecure and was so worried about being judged. On the flip side personally, I loved using social media to document my running. Two things can be true at the same time. When it comes to Yoga though, it's really hard to translate what happens in a Yoga practice to an Instagram post. It's inappropriate for teachers to snap photos while teaching. If we do, how are we teaching or being present? From time to time I see photos of students in savansana, deep rest. This causes a visceral reaction in me. First I would like to acknowledge the pressure Yoga Teachers feel to capture content and savasana is the only time students are still and the teacher gets a break. HOWEVER savasana is sacred. Our students trust us to hold space and they are laying exposed with the eyes closed. I would be mortified to find a picture of me in savasana. I would feel violated. Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk!

It's interesting to think about how social media has changed over the years. It used to be a way to connect to with your friends near and far. Now it's more about sales and learned ADHD.

I remember watching an interview of Tristan Harris who created the documentary "The Social Dilemma" who said something along the lines, and I'm paraphrasing, Social media isn't designed to improve our lives. It's designed for us to use it. That interview was a cautionary tale and has stuck in my mind ever since.

I've come along was with self promotion. I think it's because I like myself and I believe in what i have to offer. It's always an invitation. Never a sales pitch. I feel quite comfortable speaking into the camera and typically it's just one take with no edits. I just say what's on my mind. No script. Just the same as I teach.

I'm back to doing social media for the studio and I seem to be having fun. These apps have come a long way. I have the ability to get creative in a way I never expected. Follow me @jaime_l_russell on IG!