To add a resource or suggest an edit, leave a comment (scroll to the bottom of the page). The overwhelming demand for a list like this means Google Docs has slowed. Our volunteer editors will gladly add links for the community! If you would like to help as a volunteer editor, please leave a comment stating so, and we will reach out! Thank you!

Volunteer editors: Amber Karnes, Heather Miller-Klingler, Jeanette Sealy, Jessica Palmer-Gwaltney, Clare Kelley, Jeanette DePatie, Miriam Zendle, Gambi Tennant, Rachel Grubbs, Jessica Glendinning, Heather Macarone, Kristen Loch

Contributors: Pamela Crane, Mark Walsh, Madison Page, Susanna Barkataki, Dawn Ross, Anjali Sunita, Andrew Tanner, Tristan Katz, Nigel Walker, Nathan Ho, Shivani Bhatia, Antonia Small, Valeria Tegoletto, Mary Jo Fagundo, Amy Secrist, Ingrid Plunkett, Lorena Saavedra Smith, Rachel Grubbs, Kaila June

Thanks to the leadership of the folks who created the resource guide for freelance artists. We have adopted their format for this document and borrowed some of the resource links shared there. Share this URL widely: http://bit.ly/COVID-yoga-resources

Table of Contents

Get Notified

Conversations for Yoga Teachers & Practitioners

This series of conversations is taking place inside the Accessible Yoga Community on Facebook. You must be a member of the group to view the live videos and archives, so feel free to join. We may be able to make these available outside Facebook soon, if you are interested in helping make that happen, contact Amber.

Online Communities to Connect with Other Teachers

Resources Specifically for Yoga Teachers or Studio Owners

CALL TO ACTION – FREELANCERS & SELF EMPLOYED: The Family First #CoronaVirus Response Act just passed the House & provides financial assistance to you too, not just employees. It still has to pass the Senate though. If you like, you can call your Senator and urge them to take action on HR 6201 Full summary: https://tinyurl.com/rh323jn

Best Practices for Online Teaching, Learning, and Gathering

Online Platforms

  • Core to Coeur: Create a digital studio and start teaching online. No charge to the teachers to set up their digital studios. They are meeting with developers now to work on decreasing the platform fee (for every $1 made, 20 cents goes to platform right now) for studios/teachers affected, and there will be no membership plan necessary during this time- pay as you go in any amount
  • Union: Special pricing available. Lets yoga studios become their own version of Peloton… with no monthly fee, you pay per stream so there is no commitment. A livestreaming and business management tool for the yoga industry.  Lets studios livestream their existing classes and sell recordings as drop-in or unlimited memberships. Also you can package videos and sell as bundles. They have an all-in-one camera, mic, and receiver solution or you can use your own stuff. Best for yoga studios who have to partially or fully close because of COVID-19.
  • Rev.com: Captioning and transcription services. Starts at $1/minute of content.
  • Twitch: Streaming service. How to get started info here.
  • Zoom: Cloud-based video conferencing platform that can be used for video conferencing meetings, audio conferencing, webinars, meeting recordings, and live chat. Zoom offers a free basic plan with unlimited meetings for up to 40 minutes for up to 100 participants. As of early March, Zoom lifted time limits on its video calls for the free versions in China, as well as for schools in Japan, Italy, and the US, by request.
  • Google Hangouts: Host video calls with up to 25 participants. Plans start at $6 per month.
  • StageIt
  • Jitsi Meet
  • Microsoft Teams: Similar to Zoom! Plans start at $5 per month.
  • Slack – Online messaging and group chat service. Channels in Slack can be public, meaning any member can see and join that channel. You can start Slack for free, but that plan only lets you access the 10,000 most-recent messages.
  • Skype: Free online video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches.
  • CourseCraft: CourseCraft provides everything you need to build superbly designed self-paced online courses. Share your passion, make money, and help people level up their lives today.
  • JoinMe: Screen sharing, online meetings, and team collaboration are all fast and easy at join.me. 
  • Facebook Portal: Smart video calling with up to 7 users on FB Messenger or Whatsapp. The camera follows you as you move. The built-in smart mic amplifies the speaker accordingly. 
  • Podia: Create Online Products, Digital Downloads and Memberships sites. Payments are collected using Stripe so you will need a Strips account. I like the fact that the user interface collects payment and then directs the user to create an account. Their site has great resources and comparison guides. Access to help is also available real time and they get back to you quickly if you reach out during non business hours. They offer a free 14 Day Trial and have regular live Q&A calls.
  • YouTube Live Streaming: Reach your audience in real-time. Teach yoga or meditation classes online from a webcam or mobile device. (Note: to be able to live stream on mobile, you need to have at least 1,000 subscribers.)
  • Crowdcast.io: Online group courses or 1:1 livestreams (can be converted into a Youtube video, or short sessions for Insta Stories with 1-2 clicks) 
  • https://talky.io: Free live streaming or video calls (best with Chrome!) 
  • https://doki.io: Easy-to-use platform for online courses, 1:1 mentoring and resource libraries. (BEST support ever from Marie and Ben, two lovely Canadians) 
  • Cisco Webex: Free video conferencing for up to 100 participants and no limit on length.
  • Trainerize.com: Free for 1 client, paid after that.  App to find and manage clients.
  • Vimeo OTT: Streaming platform and video subscription service.
  • Offering Tree: Get up and running with online teaching in under 10 minutes. The platform allows you to use popular services like Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, YouTube Live, etc to offer your classes, workshops or 1:1 appointments. It will even handle the scheduling, registration and online payments (either fee or donation) and auto-email whoever registers. If you want to freely offer or sell video recordings, you can integrate with Vimeo or simply post your recordings. They’ve written step-by-step how-to-guides and even an ebook on teaching online. OfferingTree is a benefit company dedicated to wellness professionals and they’re reducing their fees to help out (50% off all plans for the next 3 months, starting at $5.50 per month — visit offeringtree.com/covid19). They are committed to helping any studios or solo teachers who are struggling and can even help set everything up for you. If you have any questions contact them at support@offeringtree.com

General Resources & Preparation

The Centers for Disease Control is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

In addition to CDC, many public health laboratories are now testing for the virus that causes COVID-19. View CDC’s Public Health Laboratory Testing map.

With this increase in testing, more and more states are reporting cases of COVID-19 to CDC. View latest case counts, deaths, and a map of states with reported cases. Here’s a global GIS map hosted by Johns Hopkins.

The outlook of COVID-19 is changing rapidly. Health organizations are providing updated information online.

You can help stop the spread of coronavirus and other germs by following these simple tips:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; dry hands with a clean towel or air dry hands. 
  • washyourlyrics.com Fill the form with Title & Author and you’ll have your favorite song to sing while you wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer (great for kids, but non just for them)
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 70% alcohol content) when soap and water are unavailable. 
  • Cover your mouth with a tissue or upper sleeve when sneezing or coughing; throw the tissue away and then wash or sanitize your hands. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick. 
  • Maintain a minimum 6 feet of distance between individuals in public spaces
  • Clean and disinfect “high-touch” surfaces often (i.e. door handles, counters, phones, toilets) with antibacterial spray or wipes
  • Use good health habits (get enough sleep, eat foods that support your body, drink plenty of water, stay active)
  • If you are not feeling well, contact your healthcare provider or local authority before seeking in-office or ER treatment

Tips for Communicating About the Coronavirus

Organizations across the country are implementing an array of actions to protect their community members and put parameters in place to continue business even in the most severe situations.

Here are some tips to remember during this health crisis:

  • Trust the Experts – Assure students that you defer to the public health department for protocols and recommendations based on your industry, that you are monitoring this information closely, and you’ll provide updates as information changes.
  • Develop a Plan for Closures – Whether you are evaluating closures on a case-by-case basis, establishing new protocols, or completely shutting your doors for a period of time, do your homework on the potential impact of your decision before you make any announcement.
  • Create an Emergency Contact List – Ensure key personnel have a current list of emergency contacts for staff, students, etc., as well as the local public health department and other community resources. If decisions are made quickly, make sure you are prepared to share information and updates in real-time.
  • Stand Behind Your Decision – Trust your gut and err on the side of caution. Members of your community will criticize you no matter what decision you make. Trust that you have done your homework and are making the best decision based on the information available to you at that time.
  • Allow Flexibility Based on Evolving Information – Information on the virus changes daily. Don’t back yourself into a corner. Be prepared to make and communicate changes and adjustments as you learn more.
  • Be Aware that Different People Have Different Needs – Some people are at higher risk of this disease than others.  Keep in mind not only the folks in your immediate circle who may be at lower risk, but also all those who will come in contact with them.  Encourage and discuss the need for compassion and care for all people, including those most vulnerable among us.
  • Don’t Forget the Children – If you are a yoga teacher for young children, please consider how they can continue their practice at home with families and friends. Schools are closing across the country and many adults are losing their self-control, this is very scary for children. “Talking with Children about Coronavirus Disease 2019” (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention).

Online Training & Continuing Education

Health & Mental Health Resources

Emergency Funding

National Relief Funds & Grants

  • The Small Business Administration will provide loans to businesses affected by the coronavirus. The SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will work with governors to submit requests for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. Once areas have been designated for relief, affected communities will receive more information. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • Unemployment Insurance information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor; file for unemployment insurance here. Employment Insurance, benefits and leave for Canadians can find information here.
  • Self-Employment Assistance Information from the Department of Labor – This is a voluntary program for States and, to date, Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon have active Self-Employment Assistance programs. The State Workforce Agency websites for these states can be accessed at http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp. File for unemployment insurance first here: https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx then file for this Self-Employment Assistance as well if available in your state.
  • FAST Fund. The FAST Fund delivers money quickly when students face emergencies. We aim to help students just in time, reducing or eliminating their financial challenges so that they can focus on learning. http://www.thefastfund.org/about-us. You do have to be a student nominated by a faculty member.
  • Women Arts offers resources for emergency funds for artists of all disciplines. https://www.womenarts.org/funding-resources/emergencyfunds/
  • Comcast is offering Free Internet for low-income customers affected by COVID-19 for 60 days. http://Internetessentials.com

Local Relief Funds & Grants

Washington, DC, MD, VA: Hebrew Free Loan Association of Greater Washington Emergency Loan Application – interest-free loans for qualified Jewish borrowers. 

Advocacy Alerts and Petitions for Funding

Temporary or Remote Job Opportunities

  • 25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
  • 2020 Census Jobs (Uncertain how this might be affected by the current climate but figure it’s worth putting on here)
  • Resources for Remote Work
  • SkipTheDrive:  Telecommuting, remote, online, and work-from-home jobs, ranging from part-time to full-time. Free for job seekers.  
  • Lessons.com: Pay-per-quote system that allows teachers to profitably market their services directly to interested students. You buy and use credits to contact students who have submitted a request for lessons. You pay only to send a quote.
  • HireMyMom: focuses strictly on home-based jobs and projects that work perfectly for today’s modern mom. We specifically target entrepreneurs, home business owners and small businesses who need to hire help but don’t want full-time, on-site employees. With HireMyMom.com, there is a small fee to be a member which helps keep the number of job seekers to a reasonable size to give you a better chance of getting hired as well as provide revenue to market our services to those Businesses looking to HIRE!
  • WeWorkRemotely: focused mainly on tech, customer support, and marketing jobs. Job listings are paid for by the hiring companies, limiting job spam.
  • ProctorU is looking for temporary remote proctors to monitor exams and other tests remotely.

Other Generalized Wisdom

Read

Listen

Practice

Recursos e Información en Español

Los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades están respondiendo a un brote de enfermedad respiratoria causada por un nuevo (nuevo) coronavirus que se detectó por primera vez en China y que ahora se ha detectado en más de 100 ubicaciones a nivel internacional, incluido países en Latinoamérica. El virus se ha denominado “SARS-CoV-2” y la enfermedad que causa se ha denominado “enfermedad por coronavirus 2019” (con abreviación “COVID-19”)

Las organizaciones de salud están proporcionando información actualizada en línea.

Recursos específicos para maestros de yoga o propietarios de estudios

Consejos para comunicarse con otros acerca del Coronavirus (Traducción en Español) 

Las organizaciones de muchos el países están implementando una serie de acciones para proteger a los miembros de su comunidad y establecer parámetros para continuar con los negocios, incluso en las situaciones más severas.

Aquí hay algunos consejos para recordar durante esta crisis de salud: 

Confíe en los expertos: 

  • Garantice a los estudiantes que está al tanto con las últimas noticias del departamento de salud pública de su ciudad para obtener protocolos y recomendaciones, asegúrese de estar monitoreando de cerca esta información y proporcione actualizaciones a medida que la información cambie.

Desarrolle un plan para cierres de establecimientos:

  • Ya sea que esté evaluando cierres caso por caso, estableciendo nuevos protocolos o cerrando completamente sus puertas por un período de tiempo, haga su tarea sobre el impacto potencial de su decisión antes de hacer cualquier anuncio.

Cree una lista de contactos de emergencia: 

  • Asegúrese de que el personal clave tenga una lista actualizada de contactos de emergencia para el personal, los estudiantes, etc., así como del departamento de salud pública local y otros recursos de la comunidad. Si las decisiones se toman rápidamente, asegúrese de estar preparado para compartir información y actualizaciones en tiempo real.

Apoye su decisión: 

  • Confíe en su instinto y cierre puertas por precaución. Los miembros de su comunidad lo criticarán sin importar la decisión que tome. Confíe en que ha hecho su tarea y está tomando la mejor decisión en función de la información disponible para usted en ese momento.
  • Sea flexible y fundamente cualquier decisión en la evolución de la información:
  • La información sobre el virus cambia a diario. No se arrincone en una esquina, por el contrario esté preparado para hacer y comunicar cambios y ajustes a medida que aprende más.

Tenga en cuenta que diferentes personas tienen diferentes necesidades: 

  • Algunas personas tienen un mayor riesgo de contraer esta enfermedad que otras. Tenga en cuenta no solo a las personas en su círculo inmediato que pueden estar en menor riesgo, sino también a todos aquellos que entren en contacto con ellos. Fomentar y discutir la necesidad de compasión y cuidado para todas las personas, incluidas a personas más vulnerables entre nosotros.

No olvides a los niños: 

  • Si eres un maestro de yoga para niños pequeños, considera cómo pueden continuar su práctica en casa con familiares y amigos. Las escuelas de muchas comunidades están cerrando y muchos adultos están perdiendo su autocontrol, esto es muy aterrador para los niños. 
  • Aqui un articulo de como hablar con los niños sobre el COVID-19: https://childmind.org/article/como-hablar-con-los-ninos-sobre-el-coronavirus