Embracing AI for Yoga

Some people feel afraid of AI thinking that it will one day take over the world or harm humans. I believe that we are just at the very beginning of it all and that we can use this technology to heal the earth, help humanity and reach the stars.

Now we are slaves of technology. Hopefully, one day soon we will be wise enough and practised enough to use it as free people.

As far as learning, many teachers have found that AI tools can help organise their lesson plans, I use it now too, and save time. But when it comes to getting students to engage with AI tools, teachers may feel more hesitant. After all, many AI platforms simply output a response with no information as to how they got there, and students don’t need an answer; they need help with the process.

Teachers are already integrating AI into the classroom in fun, engaging, and academically rich ways by having students fact-check ChatGPT’s responses, for instance, or by using AI images as writing prompts in English or discussion starters in history class.

What does seem clear is that AI is here to stay, and today’s students will enter a world where they’ll be expected to engage with it as AI capabilities rapidly evolve.

So obviously, we can use it to do yoga too in a super creative way - So let’s do it!

Bring: A computer with AI programs open in a browser, paper and texters

Programs needed:

• https://chat.openai.com/ (it’s free)
• https://ttsreader.com/player/ (free)
• Stable Diffusion, Craiyon, Microsoft Bing’s image creator, or Canva’s new AI image-generating tool (Some are free)
• https://sketch.metademolab.com/ (free)
• https://www.hellohistory.ai/ (free - works better as an app on the phone)

AI Intro

Sit in a circle and declare that today’s class is going to be SUPER COOL because we are going to use Artificial intelligence (AI) to help us do more yoga - Are you excited?

• Who knows what AI is?
• Who of you here uses AI?
• Why are people afraid of AI?

You can even go to one of the AIs and ask “What is AI and how does it work?”

5 Minutes

Chat GPT Sun Dance & New Sequences

Open https://chat.openai.com/ and type sentences such as

• Invent a new yoga sequence
• Invent a new vinyasa sequence
• Create a funky vinyasa yoga poses sequence
• Create a new vinyasa yoga sun salutation
• Create a soothing/dancy/upbeat sun dance yoga sequence

We got pretty cool things here.

And in order not to stare at the computer while doing yoga, I opened another program, https://ttsreader.com/player/, and pasted the text from Chat GPT here so it read to us what to do and we followed the instructions while I also played some background music.

Do as many AI sequences as you want.

15 Minutes

AI Poses

Let’s get creative and use AI to generate cool images of yoga poses.

Open https://www.canva.com/ai-image-generator/ (I have a Canva subscription) or one of these other options:

• Stable Diffusion
• Craiyon
• Microsoft Bing’s image creator

You can type anything and be as creative as “a goat doing yoga on a surfboard in outer space while eating cake” and see what comes up.

Each student can take a turn, followed by everyone doing the pose.

Here are some of the images we got

15 Minutes

AI Animated Yoga

Give each student a paper and some texters and ask them to make a drawing of a character. Give them up to 5 minutes.

Then take a photo of each drawing (you can start as soon as the first student completes their drawing) and upload it here https://sketch.metademolab.com/

Then choose a movement from the possible options and let the whole group follow the moving character.

15 Minutes

Yoga With Famous People

Chat with historical figures https://www.hellohistory.ai/ (free - works better as an app on the phone) here to see what they think about yoga and even ask them what their favourite yoga pose would be or what pose they would recommend for you to do. And of course, do the pose :-)

This app resurrects dead historical figures and attempts to approximate what they might have said in conversation. The app lets you chat with dozens of historical figures, from Cleopatra to Einstein.

Hello History is free but has a 20-message daily limit, so try using ChatGPT itself for longer conversations. Have students prompt it: “For the rest of this conversation, role-play as [historical figure],” then ask it a variety of questions.

10 Minutes

Chat GPT Relaxation

Ask students what would they like to be included in their guided imagery relaxation and make a list of it asking Chat GPT to create exactly that. For example type “create for me a guided imagery relaxation about a peaceful unicorn, sparkly rainbows, fairies, butterflies, cakes and 7 goats” here https://chat.openai.com/ and see what AI magic happens!

Copy the text and paste it here https://ttsreader.com/player/ and choose the voice that you think might be most relaxing.

Lie down close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and simply press play.

5 Minutes

 When I asked Chat GPT “How can I use AI to do yoga” this is what I got… So more ideas!

Using AI to assist with yoga can provide valuable guidance, feedback, and personalized recommendations for your practice. Here are some ways you can incorporate AI into your yoga routine:

1. **Yoga Apps and Virtual Instructors:** Many mobile apps and online platforms offer AI-powered virtual yoga instructors. These apps can guide you through yoga sequences, provide voice instructions, and offer real-time feedback on your form and alignment.

2. **Pose Recognition:** AI can analyze your webcam or smartphone camera feed to recognize your yoga poses and provide feedback on your alignment. It can help you adjust your posture to ensure you're performing poses correctly.

3. **Personalized Yoga Plans:** AI can create personalized yoga plans based on your fitness level, goals, and preferences. It can adapt your routine as you progress and provide new challenges to keep your practice engaging.

4. **Voice Assistants:** You can use voice-activated AI assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to guide you through yoga sessions. These virtual assistants can play yoga routines, set timers, and answer questions about specific poses.

5. **Biometric Feedback:** Wearable devices with AI capabilities can track your heart rate, breathing patterns, and movement during yoga practice. This data can help you monitor your progress and ensure you stay within your target heart rate zone.

6. **Yoga Pose Libraries:** AI-powered databases can offer extensive libraries of yoga poses with step-by-step instructions, variations, and benefits. You can use these resources to explore new poses and learn about their effects on your body and mind.

7. **Customized Music and Ambient Sounds:** AI can generate calming or motivating music and ambient sounds to enhance your yoga experience. It can adjust the tempo and style based on your preferences and the type of yoga practice you're doing.

8. **Smart Mats and Accessories:** Some smart yoga mats and accessories come with AI integration. These products can provide real-time feedback on your balance, pressure points, and alignment as you practice.

9. **Mindfulness and Meditation Guidance:** AI-driven apps and platforms can assist in mindfulness and meditation practices, helping you calm your mind and deepen your focus during yoga sessions.

10. **Progress Tracking:** AI can help you track your progress over time, such as improvements in flexibility, strength, and overall well-being. It can provide insights and recommendations to optimize your practice.

When using AI for yoga, it's essential to maintain a balance between technology and the mindful, introspective aspects of your practice. AI can be a valuable tool for guidance and improvement, but it's important not to become overly dependent on it. Remember that yoga is a deeply personal practice, and the connection between your body and mind should always take precedence.