So not having actually run Zoom classes beyond play and the casual meeting pre-COVID-19, this gave me the opportunity to go full immersive deep dive digitally to develop a unique voice and connection space for the community of Thumbs Up.
I feel extremely privileged to work with such an amazing community so willing to meet us online. This is going to be a nurturing, connecting fulfilling space.
Its really important to note that Zoom is set up as a meeting structure which allows you to do many wonderful things but ultimately meet with people. To talk and be together.
Our first few weeks were about just being together, holding space for where people were at, the experiences they were going through and to provide community outreach by turning out visually for each other. I say visually, because when you speak someones name and then everyone is saying hello and waving, they are transformed by being seen and we are transformed by being witnessed.
See; Zoom has power; a unique power often activated by amazing personalities and people that you think, gosh I would love to meet them in real life beyond a computer.
I have also learnt that it is so much more powerful to connect with people when you feel familiar or as if you know each other, you can connect at a deeper level and find bravery that maybe you didn’t know you had.
Magic can be created in a digital space, but it is often strengthened by the existing relationship.
Online Zoom Session: Drama for All
Next we moved into more cultured drama session really testing out the possibilities for online connection and play.
One of my favourite’s was musical chairs, I would break it down, but it is much more fun to play.
This is an action photo from one finale round of Musical Chairs
I just love the different stages of action people are at, brings back a happy memory from the session.
It is well known that most people have experienced Zoom fatigue and the quickest way to manage that is to increase your movement or to activate your sessions every 20 mins. So dance parties and musical chairs are fun go to exercises.
Friday Morning Music
Next I developed a music program with John Paul for Friday Morning Music (You can find out more about John Paul on my Who We Are page), literally hours of behind the scenes sound tests and live streams to find a good way to communicate in our session and a bunch of tech support later we came up with a wonderful Friday program that was a stable for the community.
Oh and two lots of sound equipment, later. Thank you essential workers, you rock!
Zoom Sessions: Friday Morning Music
At our peak we had an average of thirty people attending with two song leaders and two tech people. This may not seem like that big of a deal but that basically doubled our live sessions and we had another community join us to widen the connection.
Now my flatmate can sing word for word our songs which is rather hilarious. “Can’t get it out of me head” he says ”Most excellent, I have done my job then” I said.
I am pretty sure the neighbors think i’m the crazy lady that sings to loud and dances weird, ha ha. Oh the joys of discovery in the new home office, as they pull their curtains closed, I wave and smile knowing the good work we do together.
I was somewhat sad to see our Zoom sessions come to a natural end recently, there was much to play and expand with to test the boundaries of possibility and creativity.
Charades over Zoom doesn’t work, heads up.
It was a truly beautiful experience to be together again and it has been a pleasure to slow down a bit and take our time and enjoy each others company.
We are all deeply affected by major shifts in the world at the moment and blessed to be able to be together to support and connect our creativity to our heart space and heal the distresses one breath at a time.