Etiquettes

At Yoga Matters we are pretty laid back. Nonetheless there are guidelines which must be observed to maintain the integrity of the class. Think about them before you come to class; they will enhance your experience.

Primarily our Yoga Etiquettes are drawn from the Yamas and Niyamas (observances and restraints which are primary  Yoga practices.  They are for the Beginning Yogi’s edification and form part of our terms; attention to them will serve you well in any Yoga environment.

This section covers Yoga etiquette before, during after classes

BEFORE YOGA CLASS

Please:

  • come to class properly hydrated (practitioners are responsible for hydrating throughout day prior to class) (see ‘admission’ on website)
  • minimise eating before class and only eat light meals up to 2-3 hours before
  • aim to turn up with 5 to 10 minutes before class commences so you can relax in the room
  • New Students: please refer to bookings, admission and cancellation policy on this website and familiarize yourself
  • New Students: please come at least 20 minutes early to register and to orientate yourself; arriving early ensures a stress free and relaxed beginning to your practice
  • New Students: please read and sign the disclaimer/waiver document
  • class is 90 minutes – plan your schedule accordingly and discipline yourself to stay for the full 90 minutes including the built in conscious relaxation at the end
  • YM is a ‘Device Free Yoga School’ please read the full policy
  • do not conduct phone calls in our small lobby/reception areas ~ this is really not the time or space for that; finish your call BEFORE entering our lobby! YM is a ‘Device Free Yoga School’
  • all money exchanges should be conducted prior to entering the studio
  • do not bring hot drinks or strong smells into our lobby/reception/studio, i.e. food, coffee, perfume
  • do not bypass reception without ‘checking in’ (even if the person behind reception is busy); if the instructor does not know you are in the room this can result in overbooking and the person who did not ‘check in’ will be asked to vacate the space
  • always remove your shoes before entering the Yoga studio and place them with your bag in reception; do not wear particularly muddy boots, wellingtons into our lobby/reception; it is a barefoot practice, nobody wants to step on clay in their bare feet
  • it is a barefoot practice – please ensure your feet are clean
  • please ensure you have taken care of personal hygiene to remove any body odour you may not be aware of
  • place/tuck bags, shoes/belongings onto the shelves provided; hang coats on hooks provided, don’t take up all the space on the floor with bags and shoes
  • no superfluous bulky items/clutter in classroom (sweaters, handbags, do not hang clothing on the rail in the studio)
  • remove any dangling or bulky jewellery
  • ensure no offensive slogans on t-shirts/tops (turn top inside out if you forget)
  • do not use foul or offensive language in reception or studio
  • close all doors behind you as you move around the studio i.e. keep toilet, changing room and studio entrance door, please do not leave any open, we have just spent hours heating up the studio for your class experience, it takes seconds for heat to disappear through a door left open
  • texting / calls should be taken/made in street before you enter our lobby/reception space
DURING YOGA CLASS
Please:
  • do not walk cross the studio during class time to access tissues or water; alert the instructor if you need such items
  • do not bring ordinary ‘glass’ bottles into the studio (they pose a risk of breakage; tempered or supported glass is safer)
  • ensure ‘on call’ mobile phones ‘on silent’ / no ‘general use’ of these ‘on call’ phones in the studio prior to class (although Kindle books may be used) YM is a ‘Device Free Yoga School’
  • loud ring tones on phones that are left in bags in reception can be heard clearly in the studio during class time; please have them on low volume  YM is a ‘Device Free Yoga School’
  • ‘on call’? leave the studio if you need to engage with your phone during class if you are on call or for any other reason
  • keep your mat aligned with the tape line on the floor, especially in busy classes
  • when laying down head should be towards the mirror, feet towards the granite wall
  • do not chat during class
  • do not chew gum in the studio
  • avoid wearing heavy perfumes or colognes into class
  • socks are not permitted in class unless you have a condition of the feet that is contagious
  • do not enter or exit the studio during asanas unless you really have to
  • toilet should be used just prior to class start; toilet breaks during class are ‘catching’; if one going triggers a third going then instructor will say something because they know if they don’t six or seven will think it is ok and trip off to the loo, movement like this during class creates a risk, disturbs the ambience of the class and is distracting (for majority, this need is a head thing)
  • however, if you really have to go do so quietly and move between asanas, never during; (do not cross people’s vision when they are trying to work on balancing Asanas; they only have a short time to work on this please don’t take that time/opportunity away from them)
  • ensure you have your own adequate supplies of tissues if needed
  • ensure you have sufficient water at start of class
  • do not use the studio tap to fill up during class time (this is noisy/disruptive)
  • do not bring high sugar drinks or superfood in liquid form into class
  • listen to and follow the instructions of the teacher; a large part of what is said is to help you practice safely
  • do not douse yourself in water
  • do not wipe your skin with towels
  • profuse sweaters (i.e. where the area surrounding their mat gets flooded; these are rare) must have/use their own mat and for safety must bring an extra towel to mop up immediately after their class
  • if a practitioner has a cold they must ensure they do not leave bits of tissue lying around after their class (kitchen roll is recommended for use on these occasions as it is stronger and does not disintegrate when it gets soaked)
  • keep your personal belongings on your mat (including jewellery, glasses, tissues)
  • adopt an attitude of non-judgement about yourself and others
  • be mindful and focused moving in and out of the asanas
  • be mindful of your body’s limitations; never force yourself into positions; don’t fight with your body
  • never push yourself into any pain – pain is the body’s way of saying “ease off”
  • show respect towards your fellow practitioners and be mindful of their space requirements
  • do not fidget between asanas as this may distract others
  • experienced practitioners who chose to go in the front few rows must set an example for those placed behind; keeping pace with the teacher, do not deviate from, vary or add any extra movements/asanas or flourishes
  • try to permit fellow practitioners placed behind you some view of the mirror (you do not have to sacrifice your own view to do this)
  • a two minute ‘conscious relaxation’ period ‘is built in’ to the 90 minute class duration; class ‘isn’t over ‘til the signing bowl sings’ at the end of this duration
  • during this conscious relaxation please do not start pulling on clothes or rolling up mat
  • Students are expected to stay for final conscious relaxation Savasana; this is part of their commitment to practice signed on first entering YM
AFTER YOGA CLASS

Please:

  • please don’t ‘crush’ any empty single use plastic bottles (harsh noisy), don’t throw/drop wet towels from standing height to your mat (heavy noisy), don’t leave toilet area door open (fans/flushes noisy)
  • ‘roll up’ your belongings quietly and neatly i.e. don’t drag ‘unrolled’ mat around the room and then into reception, hitting every touch surface and possibly other people on the way
  • leave the room QUIETLY after your class as some people may take longer time for quiet meditation / Savasana /
  • leaving quietly means your demeanour should be that of a person who does not want to wake a sleeping child i.e. do not talk in the Yoga room whilst others are in Savasana, do not pack up your bag/belongings noisily in the Yoga room, tred quietly, softly, carefully and open/close doors softly
  • if you absolutely have to leave early (aside from an unexpected feeling unwell; such departure will be a ‘one off’ ‘rare’ and planned occasion i.e. you will have notified the instructor in advance of that particular class) please do not hold loud conversations in reception
  • ensure you take away all your personal belongings after class including any single use plastic bottles you brought in with you; left items cannot be stored indefinitely
  • keep tabs on your electrolytes and drink plenty of water after class