CLASS ETIQUETTE

• Make it part of your yoga practice to arrive early. Getting to class about 10 minutes early can help you sign in, settle in and align your attitude with the purpose of the class. While you’re waiting you can practice a pose, do a few stretches or just sit or lie quietly, breathe and get centered.

• Repeatedly arriving late to class can be disruptive to others. We realize that situations do occur, however. If you do arrive late, politely prepare yourself for class at the door (put away your keys, remove your coat, cover-up, shoes) and have your mat ready to unroll quietly as you enter the room. Most importantly by being on time to class you will be sure to participate in the warm-up exercises to avoid injury .

• Please turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, anything that makes noise.

• Please refrain from wearing fragrances as some people are allergic to strong odors.

• Be aware of the space around you - avoid bumping into your neighbor - avoid stepping on other people’s mats.

• Come with an empty stomach. Allow 2-3 hours digestion after a large meal.  If you need to eat before class, a piece of fruit is a good choice.

• If you must leave early, do so BEFORE Savasana (final relaxation pose). Please set yourself up close to the door so as to cause the least disruption to the class.  When we are in Savasana, it is disruptive to the other students to have someone rolling up their mat, putting on shoes, jingling keys, etc. That being said, Savasana is very important to your practice. Please allow yourself a few minutes in corpse pose to reap the full benefits of your shortened practice. This also alerts those around you that you plan to leave class early.

• Come in with an open mind and an open heart and take time afterwards to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the poses you practiced and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you’ll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.

• The most important thing…enjoy yourself and have fun with your yoga practice!