We’ve now started using Zoom for our virtual classes. It’s remarkably easy to setup.
If you have a smartphone, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search for “ZOOM Cloud Meetings” and install the app.
When you start the app, you’ll see it asks for a Meeting ID. Please enter:
918 735 2527
(a password is required – contact us if you don’t have it)
Just under that, you might see the model of your phone, e.g. iPhone or Moto3B etc. If you click on that, you can change it to your name. This will help the instructors know who is attending.
If you have a laptop and wish to use that, simply go to zoom.us/download – the website will detect your operating system (Mac, Windows, Linux) and tell you how to download the software.
Joining a class
Please start the app and enter the number above. Note your app has a drop-down, which remembers the previous Meeting IDs, so you can find the number easily.
If you get a message saying Meeting ID invalid or similar, it’s likely the meeting hasn’t started yet. Please try again after a few minutes.
Conditions of use
- You must be well enough to take part in your home
- Participation is at your own risk
- You must have a quiet area suitable for Tai Chi training – enough space around, suitable (non-slip) flooring and a solid chair for balance if required
- Please be aware that classes may be recorded
Top tips for your virtual Tai Chi class so you and others get the best out it
- Wear your Dao Lu T-shirt and appropriate shoes, just like you do in a physical class
- Set up your laptop or smart phone in a quiet corner or room
- The nearer to your WiFi box the better, so you get a good signal, so the best image and sound quality
- Have some books or a phone stand in hand as you can use them to help adjust the height of your camera so your instructor can see you better
- Allow plenty of space around you and a chair if you need to sit down for a break, or support you for balance
- Arrange reasonable lighting so you can see the instructor clearly and vice versa
- Make a mental note of any questions as your instructor may mute all students during the teaching. Your instructor will unmute and ask each student for questions / feedback at the end of each class.
Features of the Zoom virtual meetings
We’ve only just started using Zoom, and have found some interesting things:
- On a smartphone, swipe the video image sideways, and you’ll see different layouts – so you can see the other participants
- On laptops, it’s possible to go full screen, and you can choose different layouts (look for the grid icon)
- At the bottom of the screen you can mute/unmute your microphone, and turn your video camera on or off.
- The instructor (meeting host) can mute/unmute everyone – but people can unmute themselves if they then want to speak
- The instructor can “spotlight” a video (so only one video image stays on screen, as the main video). During conversations, the instructor can remove this, in which case whoever is talking becomes shown as the video image
- To leave, there’s a “leave” link near the top of the video screen. The instructor (host) can also end the entire meeting.
Instructors and Hosts
We have a page of tips for instructors and hosts.