Yoga Etiquette

  • Before practice empty your bladder and ideally the bowels.
  • Please do not bring water into the room to consume during your yoga practice.  Drinking water during your practice cools the body down, and the internal heat created by the breath and the bandhas to burn the toxins will be diminished.  However, drink plenty of water no later than 1/2 an hour before you start your practice and immediately after, in order to keep the body well hydrated.
  • No perfume and no perfumed deodorants please; we are breathing deeply! Also some people are allergic to strong smells.
  • Respect the school as a place of retreat and sanctuary. Please keep quiet before and after class, others might like to prepare themselves in reflection or meditation.
  • Stay within your space physically and energetically. We are very vulnerable during practice, and students next to you might feel invaded by overly noisy breathing or movements. 
  • Don't watch someone else's practice during class, as yoga is non-competitive & and we want everyone in the room to feel comfortable & not self-conscious. Watching your breath & bandhas will beautifully take care of this one anyway!
  • If you arrive when others are already practicing, please roll your mat out slowly as flapping mats create draft on a sweaty body next to you, which is unhealthy and can be quite unpleasant. The same applies to unfolding blankets when getting ready for Savasana.
  • If you need to leave early, let the teacher know in advance & place yourself close to the staircase. Finish your practice 10 mins before you need to leave, take some time for breathing and spend a good 5 minutes in Savasana (corpse pose), as it is crucial that you rest at the end of your practice - you mustn't miss this.
  • When leaving during a Mysore style class, collect your gear quietly and keep your voice down when chatting to others in the changing room, to respect students still in meditation or Savasana. Also remember that the wooden floor bounces a lot if you tread on it heavily, which feels like an earthquake to the ones resting on the floor. As your practice will have made you feel wonderfully light, stepping lightly won't be hard for you at all.
  • In line with the philosophy that underpins yoga is the practice of cleanliness, or Sauca. Sauca has both an inner and outer aspect. Outer cleanliness involves keeping ourselves clean, such as; showering daily, regularly washing your yoga clothes and yoga mat. If you are a regular practitioner and use your mat three times a week or more, please wash your mat every 2-3 months, others every 5-6 months. The yoga mats for public use at the school get cleaned and disinfected every four weeks. If you sweat profusely, which is of great help for your detoxification - so very good! - please keep an eye on the wooden floor around you, and once in a while wipe up the drops of your sweat as they stain the floor. If you are using one of the school mats please wipe it down after practice, out of respect for the next student who will use your mat. If you have forgotten to bring a towel, please ask the teacher for one. Some students choose to put a cotton mat on top of the rubber mat for a drier practice.
  • Please arrive on time for class!  About 10 minutes before the class starts is a good amount of time for you to get yourself ready.