Arrive early:
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the class is due to start. This will give you time to introduce yourself to the instructor if you're new (or say hi if you're a regular), pay, and have a few moments to settle on your mat and begin to unwind prior to the start of practice.
In the room:
Please remove shoes and socks as you enter and leave them in on the shoe rack in the reception area.
Ensure your cell phone sound and vibrate are both turned off or on airplane mode. We also recommend removing smart watches and fitness bands that receive notifications.
For your comfort and the comfort of your fellow yogis, please do not wear strong perfumes or fragrances.
Please don't be nervous! We have a diverse and friendly community of yogis who will welcome you and help any way they can to make your experience enjoyable.
Some people may take the time prior to class to sit in silence and meditate or simply relax. Please keep this in mind and enjoy the peace and calm of the room.
During Practice
Breathe:
Yoga is all about breathing. Your instructor will guide you through the movements and their corresponding breath during the class. However if you're already feeling information overload concentrating on where to put your right foot, middle hand and left elbow, let alone whether your supposed to be breathing in or out... relax! Matching breath to movement takes time and practice. Just be sure to breathe throughout the class. Over time you will become more comfortable with the poses and movements and as a result the breath will follow.
If it hurts, don't do it!
We practice lots of different poses and every so often you may find one that just doesn't feel good to you. If something hurts or doesn't feel right, carefully exit the pose, there are always variations available to receive the same benefits in different ways and we're here to help you make the practice work for you!
No comparisons allowed:
Yoga is not about comparing yourself to others, or to a past you, or to the bendy yoga girls on instagram. Let go of what you think you should be able to do, and what you used to do, and focus on what you are able to do today. We all have different strengths and limitations that can vary from day to day. Yoga class is a safe and positive place in which to practice without judgments or comparisons. Learn to practice with compassion and acceptance towards yourself and your own personal journey. And remember - don't compare your chapter 1 to someone elses chapter 20. We have a wonderfully diverse mixture of yogis in the studio and our public classes are designed to suit both beginners and regularly practicing yogis. In any session there is usually one or two yogis who are totally new to the practice, alongside some practitioners who have attended the studio for six months, or several years.