Please Read – YOGA ETIQUETTE – Please Read
Arrive early. We recommend that you arrive 10 minutes before class to set up your mat and props. If you’re running late, quietly find a spot in the back of room so you don’t distract the other students and set up AFTER the opening OM.
Take off your shoes at the studio door. Unlike working out at the gym, yoga is meant to be done in your bare feet. This helps you connect with the floor and move more easily through the poses. So leave your shoes in the space provided (floor or bottom shelves of the cubbies). This also helps us keep the space clean.
Set up mindfully. For some people, those few minutes before class is the only quiet time
in their day. So be mindful when you enter the room. If you need to talk with someone,
speak softly. And set down your mat gently, especially the heavy ones.
Practice scent free. Many people are sensitive to smells, so avoid wearing perfume,
scented lotions, or essential oils during yoga class. Warm bodies and movement will only
amplify these scents. And if you love onions, garlic, and other pungent foods, save them
for after class.
Unplug and disconnect. Yoga is all about being mindful, which is hard to do when you
are checking your smartphone or taking selfies. For the sake of your own and other
students’ focus, turn off your phone before you enter the yoga room. If you are expecting
an emergency call, let your teacher know before class, and set your phone to vibrate.
Shower regularly. If it’s been a few days since your last shower or you are a little ripe from the summer heat, take a quick shower before you hit the studio. And don’t forget to give your feet a good scrub.
Avoid wardrobe malfunctions. Before you move through all the beautiful yoga shapes,
make sure you have your clothing securely buttoned, fastened, and tied. If your body
parts have a tendency to pop out while you do yoga, try wearing something more snug underneath.
Alert your teacher to any mobility issues, health conditions, or current or past injuries. This allows your teacher to offer modifications for poses that might not work for you right now. If any pose doesn’t feel comfortable, stop and let your teacher know.
Eat lightly before class. Plan your meals so you don’t eat at least two hours before class.
This will make many of the poses, especially twists and inversions, more comfortable. If
you need to eat closer to class time, try having a light snack rather than a full meal.
Know that “noises” happen. Yoga often involves a lot of bending and twisting, which
can really get things moving in your intestines. So the occasional passed gas is to be
expected. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s the same with snoring during
Savasana. If you tend to snore, try propping your head up during rest.
Respect the rest. Most yoga classes end with Savasana or another restful pose. This is
not just naptime, but is an important part of your yoga practice. If you have to leave class early, let the teacher know before class and leave BEFORE savasana begins.
Respect your mat. Clean your mat regularly to keep it from becoming a breeding ground
for bacteria, with their noticeable odors. If you use one of the studio’s mats, clean it after class with the map wipes provided. Avoid walking on other people’s mats, unless you are
doing partner yoga.