Hot Yoga Topics > Making Videos
I remember that moment too Kim when I thought "I have to record myself??" It was awkward now it doesn't seem so bad! I can't wait to take YOUR class Kim where all of us always listen to you. :)
HeatherS
Its kind of odd; across the board we all seem to hate or at least be shocked at hearing our own voices - and yet, did you know that your voice is perfectly pitched to heal you? When someone asks, "Are you just talking to hear the sound of your own voice," you can answer, YES! It really is healing.
Remember that the way you hear your voice is quite different from the way others hear you - the sound travels from your mouth to your ear, a very short distance, while it travels way further to reach your audience. So you can't actually hear your voice in the same way in the same moment someone else hears it - but know that your voice is your own healing and, when you are teaching, that your words are healing to others.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
100% on board with both you TT's. I hate hearing the sound of my own voice, probably because I hear it all day at work. Having to record myself and then watch/listen to it back on coaching calls is my least favorite thing. I actually don't even listen/watch my videos before I post them and on calls at least in the beginning, I would turn the volume off so that I didn't have to hear it.
GabbyL
My post is misunderstood! Although hearing the sound of my voice played back was odd at first, that is not the difficulty I was referring to. Yes, my voice sounds different to me played back than I am used to hearing myself, and I dont love it, But it was more about just getting more comfortable in actually MAKING videos of myself. How that challenged me, was good for me, and got easier over time. Like facing myself in the mirror in class. I actually like that now. Dont get me wrong, I dont LOVE making videos of myself, but it has been huge in developing more self- esteem, confidence, acceptance...
KimA
Yes, Kim, I get that you're over it and so glad to hear that facing your demon cut her down to size! .Gabby, this comment was meant mostly for you and for Marguerite who also mentioned also hating her voice. Heather - hows the sound of your voice coming along for you?
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
During our scripting celebration, Kristina asked me where I was from as she thought I had an accent. ME? An accent? I didn't think so but I listen to videos and I don't mind it so much anymore. I know my tone and inflection may be a little different but that's just... well.... me.
HeatherS
Heather as I have said, you have a style in your tone that is unmistakeably Heather At Her Best.: enthusiastic, energetic, upbeat. Say it loud and say it proud: this is who I am! Of course, when it's missing, I can feel that too....but you dont have to be upbeat to sound upbeat. In fact, you can fake it til you make it. Bad day at work? Shit hit the fan? You've got a secret: you're a hot yoga teacher! Get into that Heather voice style for 90 minutes and pretty soon you will uplift even yourself.
It's a lot cheaper than therapy...and way more effective
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Fake it til you make it! HAHA LOVE THAT! I might repeat that to myself in more areas of my life than just TT!
HeatherS
I loved recording my first video. It is a process but you can make it a positive one as well as a fun one. I am also not very fond of pictures and videos but this one was special. I did not know what to expect but it turned out that my Teacher Mentor said "it was perfect...! Needless to say, it was my huge personal success. The key was I imagined that I was genuinely speaking to the students from my heart. Love every bit of it.
Alfia
Your enjoyment of the scripting video process counts for a great deal, Alfia - you are off to a wonderful start
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Making videos and listening to myself speak is NOT one of my fave things to do!! For one thing i look much heavier on the video than i think i look in person, but then again maybe i dont!! When i listen to my recordings its like nails on a chalk board for me, i cant even stand hearing my own voice. I do have an accent according to the people of New Jersey and it will never change for i grew up in a far far away land and my voice is nasally which i am fully aware of but at this point in my life i have come to accept it! I would never want to change where i grew up so i guess this is the consequence. I'm not sure how future students will respond to me with this nasally, odd voice that i have. Hopefully it wont annoy or irritate them! I also dont quite understand how to "drop your voice one tone" i have tried this in the confines of my own living room but didnt have much success. As this TT progresses I will have to accept the way i look in the videos and the sound of my voice and with this will come more confidence!
TinaA
You are far from alone Tina - most people react to seeing themselves on video and hearing their own voices exactly as you do. Try to drop the "what I know about myself" stuff so you can learn something new and different about yourself - so instead of a nasal voice you have a distinctive voice; instead of irritating students you will be unique to them; instead of your accent being a "consequence" of your goegraphy it is a proud mark of a happy childhood.
Perception changes everything
Your comment reminds me of the old joke about a woman showing her boyfriend videos of herself at her high school prom. "I was much heavier then, " she says, "and of course the camera adds 10 pounds."
"How many cameras were on you?" he asked.
Needless to say that was the last thing he remembered before waking up in the hospital
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I learned so much from doing the Big Physical Assignment and watching the videos I made and that one.....I think I kind of knew this too because I learned a while back that when I sit behind a desk and teach my energy goes down and I have a really hard time coming up with responses to students and even having a conversation....
It's weird that I need to be moving or pacing to get my brain going and repeating the memorized script....
It kind of reminds me of Scrooge McDuck from those old Ducktale cartoons and when he needs to go in deep thought paces around in a circle to the point that a circular hole is in the floor but eventually he does come up with a plan that saves them all....
I hope this doesn't effect my teaching if we are in an extremely crowded class or anything like that....but I'm going to practice on not having to pace but just being physically expressive....
Mark
Ah, so those Saturday morning cartoons DID serve you well LOL!
Actually, Mark, walking the room while teaching hot yoga is very expressive and useful in teaching - the students appreciate the closeness of your energy - so dont think you have to stand in one place on a podium and deliver your script from there, feel free to walk around!
Of course you dont want to pace back and forth - but you wont. You will take up the whole room when you teach - in all sorts of ways - moving, expressing with your body, tone of voice, and more. It's all part of your performance = and you already know how to do that. Just apply it to your yoga teaching and have fun.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I also found that moving around helped me this week. Last week I just stood there and while delivered what I would say is the script , it definitely lacked personality or character. This week I was so reluctant about doing the video cause the last experience was in my option just awful and hated watching every second of it... This week once I was able to clear my mind and relax I personally feel it was an improvement over last week( but anything I guess would be an improvement lol). I just ask the universe that every week to improve and trust in myself that I can make the video. For me it's getting over making the video, it seems to be the biggest hurdle for myself. Since this week was smoother, I think next week will be better too! Here is to moving forward and doing what is your best at the moment
Becky
Just like hot yoga, you must not measure your "performance" and especially upo must not use your last experience as an obstacle to your next. In scripting and in asana, Moving your body is key to learning: it literally helps you to embody the information. I strongly suggest a Big Physical for you, Becky
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I really LOVE the Big Physical. I look forward to it every week. I think it helps set me up to relax and have fun with the new pose. I even watch it 1 or 2 times and chuckle at myself and pick up a few things as I memorize that week.
It was a little difficult at first getting used to being in front of the camera. Sometimes I turn it on and still freeze, my mind goes blank.......like this past week. I find I don't think about how strange my voice sounds and how I look anymore, (coz I always script in my power pants!!). I'm so happy when the words just come and I can finish. My husband unknowingly gave me a nice complement (he generously gives them knowingly too). We were driving back from the beach listening to a recording of me reciting my script, he asked "Who is that?". Of course I said me, I almost thought he was kidding. He looked at me very sincerely and said "That's really good!". That felt great!!
If/when I watch my videos I find times that I cringe and know I can do better. I try to carry that forward every week. In the past I would have beaten myself up about mistakes but I've learned how unproductive that is and it can spiral out of control so you can't get out of your own way. I am really enjoying learning patience with myself. I have also surprised myself in my ability to memorize. It seemed impossible at first!
Jeanne
From the uneasy feeling the moment I found out this Teacher Training involved video taping myself, to acceptance, and finally, an 'it doesnt afffect me much either way' feeling. Plus more in between: self acceptance, confindence, growth! Thats where it has taken me personally. I can see that to continue would this practice would evolve into more comfortability and even FUN if one could relax enough to allow that to happen!
A word about 'students' in our video's. My daughter: lets not talk about her attitude, she means well LOL. But after a recent taping I gently informed her that she should do what the teacher says, and not go on and do a pose just because she knows it. Her reply: 'Well I do listen to the teacher when I'm in a real class"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeeeeeez Katie!