How to be a yogi

Important information about attending yoga classes

During yoga classes, we try to practice being mindful and respectful to others around us. Please be considerate to others who will be sharing the space and practicing with you. The following “rules” are a guide to making this class more enjoyable for yourself and others...

  1. Please arrive 10 minutes early to avoid rushing in at the last minute. This also allows you a chance to settle into your space. 
  2. Good personal hygiene shows respect to yourself and your body, and to others, especially when sharing a space with others. Use deodorant but refrain from wearing perfumes.
  3. Turn off your your mobile phone. Step onto your mat and into your yoga space, leaving the world of instant communication outside.
  4. Wear comfortable yoga clothing. Something that can move with your body, so your body can move freely. Jewellery can also be distracting, so please avoid wearing if possible.
  5. Remove your shoes and leave them outside the yoga room. Please do not walk on the mats in your shoes. This is for hygiene purposes, but also because our yoga space is sacred and should be respected. Your other personal belongings can also be left here.
  6. Try not to go in and out of the space during class. Go to the bathroom during rest poses if necessary.
  7. Please do not eat at least 2 hours before class as having something in your stomach will affect your practice. If necessary snack on something light and easy to digest. A small banana, for example. I also recommend a small glass of hot lemon water or lemon and ginger tea. 
  8. It is important to try and evacuate your bladder and bowels before a yoga class. Sometimes shoulderstand and headstand can trigger the evacuation of the bowels! The lemon water can help with this process. 
  9. Be an inspiration to those around you. If you’re struggling, rest. This allows those around you to know that rest is OK. If you’re happy, smile. This will trigger our innate need to connect and smile with you. If someone achieves a challenging pose that you're struggling with, try not to let envy or jealousy overwhelm you and certainly keep any negativity out of the space. No one is here to "show off", we all just want to move our body to the best of our ability.
  10. Smile during class. Enjoy what you’re doing. If you feel as though you’re straining, rest. Hatha yoga is about restoring harmony and balance to the body and mind and a body in tension is unwilling to be harmonious! Some of the poses we do are challenging, but if done with a sincere respect to the body, coupled with a willingness to try, the class will be all the more enjoyable and harmonious.