Creating a Supportive Environment for Your Virtual Experience
We’ve often hear from attendees what have taken part in previous online events that it’s beneficial to take a little time to prepare a dedicated workspace in advance. The more you are able to settle safely and fully into your workshop without distraction or feeling self-conscious, the better. So we’ve compiled a list of useful suggestions below, which you are free to implement for your Reconnection Day, should you choose.
- Creating supportive space
- Nourishment and food
- Technical tips
- Staying focused
- What you’ll need.
Please note that you may need to make some preparations and order some small items in advance, so please give these sections your attention in plenty of time before your workshop.
Creating sacred space
Even though we are not together physically, we want to make sure you have a safe and intimate space for you to be able to focus without interruption. Identify a private, quiet place at home or at work where you can sit comfortably in front of your screen, and also stand up and stretch when you need to. Trust your own inner guidance – your Spiritual Self or Spirit Guide – to know what you need and want for your space so that you feel supported throughout this course.
Take some time to set up your space to have the atmosphere of a retreat for yourself. Your location should be well lit, as we want to be able to see you and connect with you!
Some suggestions are:
- Declutter, clean and tidy the room you will be in for the duration of the workshop.
- Clear laundry and debris, and any distracting background as much as possible.
- Have a surface upon which you could set a candle or oil burner
- Look around your space for what may be in the room that will distract you (or others!) and put away in another room or cupboard.
- If you like, you can ‘sage’ your room. If you don’t use sage, consider simply setting the intention that, for this course, your space is reserved for your transformative work.
- Have some flowers or a potted plant set somewhere in your room.
- You might even consider keeping this dedicated space available to yourself following the workshop.
Nourishment and Rest
Healthy, delicious food and good rest are important. They are an integral part of boosting your immune system as well as keeping you present and grounded.
- Shop ahead and prepare some snacks and perhaps an easy lunch that you can easily reheat during your break times.
- Make sure you have access to plenty of water, good herbal teas or other healthy beverages.
- Get a good amount of sleep the night before the workshop, if possible.
- Treat the evening before as an extension of your virtual course – avoid alcohol and plan an early, restful night. Perhaps you could enjoy a long bath or a tech-free evening?
- Consider having art supplies on hand, so you can do some creative drawing or expression or create a mandala during your downtime.
Technical Tips
- Use a computer or laptop for this course if at all possible; a tablet device is the next best thing.
- Make sure the device you are using has a camera.
- Please be sure to install the latest version of Zoom on your device.
- It’s best to be hard-wired with your internet connection. If that’s not possible, be sure you have a strong wi-fi connection.
- Close down all other applications on your computer, so you are not distracted, and (ideally) clear or sort your desktop.
- If you can, use a headset or ear buds with microphone capabilities (similar to those you might use with a mobile phone or gaming device). If you live with other people, using headphones can ensure that other people’s voices are not picked up by your computer’s microphone.
- Having a comfortable place to sit is important. Use a sturdy, comfortable chair or sofa within reach of the computer.
- We will provide a workbook, but you may want to have a journal or extra paper/note pad to hand. Be sure to have a couple of pens available, too.
- Please ensure your non-essential devices are turned off or muted. We want your attention to be on you, not email or social media.
Staying focused
We recognise it can be challenging to stay focused when working in a virtual environment. To support you, we ask you to:
- Turn off notifications and alerts on the device you are using for the course.
- Keep your focus on the workshop as if you were on site, and don’t attend to other things during the day, even while on breaks – much as you did at the Process. Put aside your responsibilities and dive into yourself. This is your time!
- Use screen etiquette, i.e. no multi-tasking – don’t try to catch up on emails or other work. Don’t eat meals on screen (snacks are welcome), and refrain from outside conversations, etc.
- Moving between sitting and standing can really help. If you want to stand, please make sure you have a place to put your computer so you can still be seen. You are welcome to stretch or move around as needed while still paying attention to the session.
- Use the break times to take care of your needs, and get beverages and snacks so you can be fully present to the teaching and experiences.
- You can have the workshop on gallery view so you can scan through the other faces regularly. This serves to remind you that although we are doing this work virtually, there is a community of living, breathing humans participating in the workshop with you!
Items you’ll need
- The workbook for the day. You can print this out if you like (black and white is fine), or have a PDF saved to your computer desktop
- A few additional sheets of paper or a journal and writing pen(s)
- Some marker pens, if you have them
- Tissues or a hanky
If you have any questions about any of the above, please email graduates@hoffmaninstitute.co.uk