From Telemedicine-Telewellness: How to Bring Your Yoga, Fitness or Dance Studio Into the 21st Cent.

1 - The People Connection

Businesses in sectors from retail to manufacturing to health care have embraced digital technologies that facilitate direct connection with consumers. But according to at least two videoconferencing platforms’ websites, namely Zoom and BlueJeans Network, the universe of industries using videoconferencing in a 2 way camera format for classes do not include yoga, fitness or any dance studios.  

And yet, simply adding a videoconferencing option can help studios and wellness practices reach customers with economic, mobility and other access issues and scale their business beyond their local market. 

Sounds great, right? And easy? Well, yes and no. It takes a lot more than the right physical setup, camera, mic and technology vendor. 

In telemedicine, for both patients and providers, what matters is the journey. It’s no different in the fitness/wellness space. If both students and instructors enjoy their digitally-enabled experience, you’re on your way.  

In a series of three articles, I’ll discuss the key domains studios and practices need to consider when moving into the digital space: People, Process and Technology. The tips I will share come primarily from the hospital setting, but are widely applicable. The common thread is connection.  We’ll begin here with people. 

Know Your Students

Wherever and however you teach, your students need to feel a sense of belonging. Get to know them. Why do some students keep coming back, and others leave you for the studio down the street? 

Make an effort to ensure that each and every student feels special. This is especially true for students taking part online. At the very least, learn their name—and use it! If your wellness platform requires participants to enter their name, start there. 

Inform students on your wellness platform that if they sign up for an online class, they will need to enter their name at login so that you can identify them when using a 2-way camera. 

Then, take roll call at the start of class. Make a point of welcoming your online students, which will help them feel connected to the class community. 

Keep Them Engaged

One lesson from telemedicine is that using a shiny, new digital device is not enough to keep people engaged in their health. That’s an important driver in the popularity of game apps that help people track their progress and stay motivated. 

Similarly, your students need more than the technology you’re offering to stay engaged in their fitness routine. Remember, online students miss out on the camaraderie that comes from in-person participation. They need more care and attention to stay engaged. (The Peloton model offers a great example of how digital fitness instructors can motivate and engage students.)

Encourage students who live locally to sign up for a hybrid payment plan that offers options for both in-studio and online classes. They will appreciate the added flexibility, and the opportunity to attend class in person can boost engagement. 

Communicate Clearly and Consistently

Adopting a new technology can be disruptive. But in disruption lies opportunity! It seems obvious, but you need to set clear expectations and err on the side of over-communicating about the changes your studio or practice is making. 

If you’re considering implementing new wellness software, have a marketing communications plan in place that will guide how you package, promote and sell the new service. And remember that as brand ambassadors, your instructors need to provide input and will play a key role in implementing the plan. 

When the new technology is in place, make sure to inform your students about what’s going on. Remind them that you are (for example) about to use a 2-way camera, and why. 

Rethink How You Teach

This is a big one! Adopting video conferencing or other digital technologies can help you become a better instructor. Without the ability to physically guide and correct your students, you’ll need to develop new techniques. For example, will you move with your students during class, or remain stationary? 

Simply demonstrating a dance step, fitness movement or yoga pose may not be enough, especially for online students who are kinesthetic or auditory learners. Instructors may need to learn and use different language for cueing. A good starting point is to describe anatomy in layman’s terms while moving. Another option is to display helpful terms on the screen.

Adopting videoconferencing or other digital technologies can boost your business and drive value for your students. Keep your students at the center and the journey can be a positive one for everyone involved. 

Watch for the second installment in this article series next week. 

Ready to embrace 21st century technologies? At IPCS, LLC, we help fitness studios and wellness practices improve and expand their offerings by incorporating video conferencing and other digital solutions. Learn more at www.patientcareconsulting.com.