Yoga Class Tips & Hints

Arrive early. Getting to class about 10 minutes early can help you settle in and relax before class. While you're waiting you can stretch a bit, practice a pose, or sit or lie quietly taking time to breathe, and get centered.

If you have injuries or conditions that might affect your practice, please let your teacher know. Your teacher may have suggestions for you, but it is ultimately up to you to exercise caution. If you are injured or tired, skip or try modified versions of the poses.

It is recommended that you do not eat for two or three hours before class. Practicing yoga on a full stomach might cause some discomfort especially in twists, deep forward bends, and inversions. Also, digesting food also takes energy and that can make you feel lethargic. If you cannot avoid eating before class, simply take it a bit easier and modify the poses so you are comfortable.

Please turn off cell phones or pagers before you enter the classroom.

Create an intention for your practice. To help you focus, you might find it helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. Your intention may be something like to become more loving and compassionate. Or your intention may be for the benefit of a friend, a cause, or your own unfoldment.

If you must enter a class late or leave early, please do so very quietly so as not to disturb others. If you’re late to class unroll your mat outside the classroom door, pause at the door and calm yourself, then enter the classroom. If you must leave class early, please let the instructor know in advance if possible and leave before Savasana so not to disturb the other students.

Please bring your own mat to class or a towel if you will be using a public mat.

Many people are sensitive to scents and can give them allergic reactions. Please do not wear perfume or strongly scented lotions or creams.

Let go of forcing or trying to do a pose, instead go as deeply or completely into a pose as you are able to do without straining. You actually make more progress if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you think you should be.

Please pick up and neatly put away any props you use. Teachers appreciate the thoughtfulness of students who help leave the classroom neat and tidy for the next group.

After class take time to think about what you did in class as this helps you retain what you learned. Review the poses you practiced, and note any modification or adjustment that particularly worked for you. If you remember only one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.