Yoga Etiquette

 

 

PRACTICE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

Give yourself at least 2hrs after eating before you practice. Try not to eat anything heavy or solid that requires time to digest.

 

AVOID PERFUMES

and make sure your mat, mat covers and yoga clothes are kept clean. Strong smells and a room with a lot of people doing deep breathing don’t go well together. Whether it’s a positive or negative smell, you could be having a negative impact in someone else’s experience in class.

 

BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE

We have a filtered water station at the studio. Please use it and reduce the accumulation of single use plastics.

 

WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

that you can move in comfortably and that won't be distracting to you or others, and won't be revealing when you put your body in different positions. Plan also to practice without shoes or socks.

 

AVOID BRINGING OPEN GLASSES

mugs or other containers into the studio. Use a water bottle with a lid. Things get knocked over all the time in class. An open container can create a big mess.

 

AVOID CHEWING GUM

It’s hard to focus on your breath and will make doing Ujjay breathing (victorious breathing) very challenging.  It’s also dangerous.

 

LEAVE YOUR PHONE OUTSIDE

with your belongings and make sure it is turned off. Give yourself this time. it’s for your practice. It’s for  you.

 

LEAVE YOUR SHOES OUTSIDE

of the studio too. The space where you practice is where a lot of transformation is going to happen. Make it special. Taking our shoes off before we enter the room to practice is one of the ways we show respect for the studio and for the practice itself.

 

BE ON TIME AND READY

to practice when the class starts. Please give yourself enough time to set up your mat in the studio, and organize any props you might need for class. Be seated and ready to start when the class begins.

 

LET THE TEACHER KNOW

if you have an injury, are pregnant or have any other special circumstance that may require additional modifications during your practice. Take breaks. If you need to sit something out, sit something out.

 

PAY ATTENTION

One of the first things we are learning in yoga is to concentrate. Without being able to concentrate, none of the more advanced practices are possible. When you aren’t paying attention is also when you are most likely to get injured.

 

STAY FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS

If you absolutely have to leave early due to an emergency, give yourself a moment of stillness, either in the final resting pose, or in a seated position. Close your eyes and let  things settle before heading back out to the world outside. Please don’t leave in the middle of the final resting pose.

 

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF

when the class is over. Put props away neatly. Leave the studio tidy and clean for the next class that is coming in.

 

ASK QUESTIONS AFTER CLASS

if something doesn’t make sense to you during class, or if you need some additional guidance or support. There are no silly questions. Everyone was a beginner once. There isn’t always time for us to stop the class to answer every question, so please don’t take this personally. Do your best, come down and rest if you need to, and then if you need some extra attention, or have questions about something, stick around after class.