Yoga class etiquette and practical advice
Recently, a student reminded me that I used to hand out notes to inform new class attendees (and occasionally remind long-term students) about yoga class etiquette. As it's a new year and yoga classes are set to resume, I thought it might be a good time to share these. Keep them in mind when you next set off for class.
NB: Always inform the teacher about any injuries or health issues before the class!
What To Wear
CLOTHING
This should be some form of sport or dancewear that allows freedom of movement and stretching. It is helpful if the teacher can see ankles, knees and other joints for alignment purposes. No jeans please! Also, bear in mind that gaping or see-through clothes might lead you to share more with your neighbours than they would care to see.
REMOVE YOUR SHOES
Many yoga studios have a place for your shoes by the front door or in a side room. Since people will be walking around the studio barefoot, it is most hygienic if everyone takes off their outdoor shoes first thing. (And don't walk all over other people's mats!)
SOCKS
Feel free to wear socks during relaxation periods and to keep warm at the end of a class. However, socks should be removed during the main asana practice.
JEWELLERY
Please don’t wear long, dangly, jingly jewellery in class. It can be distracting and a safety hazard.
PERFUMES
Please avoid strong perfumes that may affect others around you.
Class Etiquette
TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONE
Make a habit of doing this as soon as you get to the yoga studio. You will be quite embarrassed if your phone rings during class. If this happens (and it has even happened to me), I advocate owning up and going to turn the thing off immediately.
ARRIVE ON TIME
Arrive at least 10 minutes before the class is scheduled to start. If you do arrive late, don't enter a class during relaxation/meditation.
RESPECT THE TEACHER
When you enter a yoga class, you sign on to respect the teacher for the next hour and a half. You may discover halfway through the class that you don't care for this teacher, style, or hour of the day. But you should still continue with the class, follow the teacher's instructions, take your Savasana, and chalk it up to experience. If you attend different classes, please remember that each teacher may come from a different teaching background and yoga style. Respect the instructions and style of the teacher you are with at the time, refraining from statements like, 'my other teacher tells me to do the pose like this.' The only time I would advise ignoring a teacher's instructions is if you feel there is risk of injury, and in that case I would not return to his or her class.
MINIMAL TALKING
Yoga is a quiet, personal practice. Keep detailed questions until the end, unless you feel it is absolutely necessary. Don’t watch other people and don’t engage them in conversation during the class.
GO TO THE BATHROOM DURING RESTING POSES
It is fine to leave class for a few minutes to go to the bathroom. There is no need to ask the teacher's permission. The best time to go is when there is a period of rest, either in Child's Pose or Downward Dog.
DON'T SKIP SAVASANA!
Your final relaxation in Savasana is an important part of your practice. Don't plan to leave class early. If you must, tell the teacher in advance, but please make this an exception.
Other information
YOGA POSES AND YOUR BODY
The teacher does not know your body and your levels of fitness, strength or flexibility. Always work within your own limits. Come out of poses when you need to, even if others are still doing them. Rest when you need to. And always back off or come out of a pose if it hurts, feels particularly uncomfortable or is inappropriate for your body.
YOGA IS NOT A COMPETITION
We hear this all the time, and most of us agree... until we're on the mat and the person next to us is able to 'out-perform' us in some way. Or we feel that we 'should be able to do a pose by now'. That's the ego talking, not the yoga. When we get like that - and teachers like me are not immune to these self-defeating vrttis - we have missed the whole point of yoga.
FOOD AND DRINK
It is advisable to avoid food for 2-3 hours before yoga practice. Being upside down or doing lots of twists in a full stomach is not good for digestion. It you need food, make it a light snack. Try to avoid too much caffeine or sugar beforehand as this can interfere with relaxation and lead to energy dips. Unlike most other forms of exercise, drinking lots of water is discouraged during yoga. If you need water handy, that is fine, but drink small amounts.
