How We Filmed 20 Yoga Class Videos in 2 Days — And How You Can Too
Behind the scenes of our 2-day production with The Belle Method — a full-quarter online fitness course built for women at every life stage.
Twenty workout videos. Two shoot days. One seamless quarterly course ready for distribution.
That was the brief when The Belle Method — one of Canada's leading online Pilates and functional strength platforms, trusted by over 15,000 women — brought us in to produce their latest program. Founded by Nikki Bergen, a Pilates instructor and former professional dancer who specializes in pelvic health for pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause, The Belle Method already has 400+ workouts in their library. This shoot would add 20 more.
Working alongside producer Patricia Marcoccia of Holding Space Films, we mapped out every detail: shot lists, lighting setups, camera angles, prop staging, and a minute-by-minute schedule that kept two full shoot days running like clockwork.
Here's what the process looked like — and what yoga instructors can learn from it, whether you're filming on your own or considering a professional partner.
The Project: A Quarter's Worth of Content in a Weekend
The Belle Method needed a new batch of targeted workout videos covering everything from core rehab to perimenopause strength training. Not a single 60-minute class, but 20 individual focused workouts — each zeroing in on a specific area of the body.
The program covers 20 targeted workouts spanning core rehabilitation, pelvic floor strength, full-body mobility, and functional fitness — each designed for a specific stage of a woman's health journey.
Each clip needed its own thumbnail, a picture-in-picture (PIP) close-up angle, and detailed instructor guidance for the exercises shown.
Day 1
Setup started at 7:15 AM — lighting, camera positions, and a full photo of the room before we moved anything (a habit that saves hours when matching setups across days). Two cameras rolled simultaneously: the main wide shot and a secondary PIP angle for close-ups of hand positions, foot placement, and form.
By 9:30 AM, talent was on set. We moved through two instructor blocks — morning and afternoon — covering 10 workouts total. Each session followed the same rhythm: audio check, run-through, record, thumbnail capture between takes. At 5:30 PM we wrapped but left the set standing for Day 2.
Day 2
With the set already in place, we were rolling by 9:20 AM. Ten more workouts, same efficient rhythm. By 5:00 PM, all 20 clips were in the can.
What Made This Shoot Work
1. A Detailed Production Schedule
Every clip had a designated time slot, camera operator, prop list, thumbnail pose description, and notes column. Nothing was left to memory. When you're shooting 10 videos in a single day, even five minutes of confusion between setups compounds fast.
2. Multi-Camera Coverage
We ran a Canon R5 as the primary wide angle and a secondary camera for PIP inserts. The PIP footage is what separates professional yoga instruction from a phone propped against a wall — viewers need to see the details of a hamstring stretch or the exact hand placement on a foam roller.
3. Dedicated Thumbnail Capture
Between each workout, we captured specific thumbnail poses. These weren't screenshots pulled from video — they were intentionally composed still frames with the instructor holding the most visually compelling position from each routine.
4. Clean, Controlled Environment
White studio walls. Consistent lavender yoga mats. Props staged and swapped between setups. No distracting backgrounds, no changing natural light, no interruptions. This consistency is what makes the final course feel cohesive rather than cobbled together.
5. Leaving the Set Standing
Day 1's set stayed up overnight. This one decision saved a full hour of setup time on Day 2 and guaranteed visual consistency across all 20 videos.
Tips for Yoga Instructors Filming Their Own Online Classes
Not every yoga instructor needs a full production crew. If you're starting out with online content, here's how to get solid results on your own:
Lighting Is Everything
Natural light from a large window works beautifully — but only if you shoot at the same time each day for consistency. If you can invest in one thing, make it a pair of softbox LED lights. They eliminate shadows and give you a clean, professional look regardless of weather or time of day.
Lock Your Camera Down
Use a tripod. Always. Handheld footage in an instructional yoga video is disorienting for viewers. Mount your camera (even if it's a phone) at hip height for standing poses and lower it for floor work.
Capture Two Angles
If you have a second phone or camera, set it up for a close-up angle. The difference between one angle and two is the difference between a YouTube video and an online course people will pay for.
Record Audio Separately
On-camera microphones pick up room echo, air conditioning hum, and mat shuffles. A simple wireless lavalier mic clipped to your sports bra or tank top makes a dramatic difference in perceived production quality.
Batch Your Content
Don't film one video at a time. Block a full day, plan 4-6 videos, and move through them systematically. Change your outfit between sessions if you want each video to feel distinct.
Plan Your Thumbnails
Don't just screenshot your video. Pause between recordings and hold your most photogenic pose for 5 seconds while someone snaps a photo (or set a self-timer). Thumbnails sell your course.
When DIY Isn't Enough
Those tips will get you started. But there's a ceiling.
If you're building a premium online course — the kind you charge $200+ for, or the kind that represents your brand to thousands of students — the gap between DIY and professional production becomes the gap between a side project and a revenue stream.
Here's what a production partner handles that's hard to replicate alone:
Multi-camera setups with synchronized recording and PIP angles
Professional lighting that stays consistent across 20+ videos
Production scheduling that gets an entire quarter of content shot in two days instead of two months
Thumbnail photography that's composed, lit, and styled — not screenshotted
Technical quality control — catching audio issues, framing problems, and continuity errors in real-time before they become costly re-shoots
Post-production workflow — editing, colour grading, and exporting files optimized for your platform
You focus on teaching. We handle everything else.
About This Project
852 Tangram partnered with Holding Space Films to produce 20 new workout videos for The Belle Method's online platform, featuring founder Nikki Bergen and instructor Andre demonstrating a comprehensive program spanning core rehab, mobility, functional strength, and perimenopause fitness.
From pre-production planning through the final export, the entire course was designed to be shot efficiently in two days — giving The Belle Method a full quarter of premium content without months of production time.
Why This Project Matters to Us
At 852 Tangram, we choose to work with brands that make a real difference in people's lives. The Belle Method isn't just a fitness platform; it's a lifeline for thousands of women navigating the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum recovery, pelvic floor healing, and the changes that come with perimenopause.
For many new mothers, getting back into their bodies after birth can feel isolating and overwhelming. Having access to expert-led, professionally produced workout videos from home on their own schedule, at their own pace, means they don't have to choose between caring for a newborn and caring for themselves.
That's the kind of impact we want our cameras pointed at. When creative production serves a purpose this personal, the work means more to the client, to their audience, and to us.
Ready to Film Your Online Yoga Course?
Whether you're a solo yoga instructor building your first digital offering or a studio looking to scale your online presence, we'd love to talk about what a production partnership looks like.
We handle the cameras, lighting, scheduling, and editing. You bring your expertise and your mat.
Let's create something worth watching.
852 Tangram is a Toronto-based creative studio specializing in video production, brand design, and content strategy. We work with wellness brands, fitness professionals, and purpose-driven businesses across Canada.
Have questions about filming your own yoga content? Drop us a line at askme@852tangram.org.
