Some Yoga etiquette may seem like common sense it is good to know how you are expected to act in a yoga class. Here are a few tips to help you blend in and look like a yoga pro.
- Take off your shoes before entering a the yoga classroom. This rule is why the flip-flop is the unofficial yoga shoe. They are light, easy to remove and put back on.
- Do not where perfume. Strong odors can be distracting. If you are concerned about body odor wipe yourself down with a washcloth and apply a natural deodorant before class.
- Show up at least five minutes early and do not leave before class is finished. If you do show up late, come in the classroom quietly, place your mat on the floor before rolling it out. At the end of class stay for savasana at the end of class. It disturbs other participants and is rude to the teacher. Besides most people need to take time to be quite with themselves so, take the time to do it.
- Turn off your cell phone. Even the vibrate setting can be disturbing during savasana or meditation. Whoever is calling can wait until you are done with your practice.
- Do not eat a heavy meal before class. It will drain your energy, you may end up feeling nauseous and sluggish.
- Keep talking in the class to a minimum. While it important to let the instructor know of any difficulty you maybe having, try to keep comments and questions for the end of class. Too much talking can disturb other participants of the class.
- Listen to your body. You should never feel pain in any pose. Pay particular attention to your joints. Always come out of poses that are causing you pain.
- Follow the class. Once in a while someone will show up to a yoga class and just do their own thing and not follow the class at all. Instructors and especially other class participants find this very distracting. Though it is fine to vary poses to fit your own practice and to rest in a pose like child's pose when tired.
- If you use yoga props in class, put them back the way you found them.
- Choose a class that is appropriate to the level you are at. If you are a beginner it would not be appropriate to take a power, flow or ashtanga class. Look for a class called Yoga 1, Beginning Yoga, or Relax Yoga. Also let the instructor know that you are a beginner so that they can help you.
The most important thing to remember in a Yoga class is to have FUN!
