New Student Guide

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Yoga practice helps you quiet your mind, develop greater mental focus, increase your wellbeing, build strength and flexibility. This guide gives you the basic information to get started.

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BEFORE CLASS

• Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes before the start of the class.

• If you are late: the studio doors are closed during class. If you are late, unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the studio and join.

• Clothes: Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing. It should allow a full range of movement including twisting and bending. Our center has changing rooms.

• Yoga equipment: we provide all yoga equipment for the studio classes. Outdoor classes, you need to bring youw own mat or rent one from our reception.

• Avoid: Strong perfume, essentials oils, cologne, and other scents. Respect the space and your fellow students by keeping your mat and body clean and odor-free.

• Eating & Drinking: Allow 2 - 3 hours to elapse after a heavy meal or 1 hour after a light meal. A little water is okay, but too much liquid can be uncomfortable.

• Footwear: Yoga is practiced barefoot in order to find and secure a stable, balanced contact with the floor, which is essential for standing poses. Working with bare feet also provides a rare opportunity to stretch and strengthen the feet.

• Since we walk around the center barefoot, it is most hygienic if everyone takes off their street shoes first thing at the front door. Please put your shoes on and off right at the door, shoes are not allowed on the practice floor, nor in the tea lounge or inside the center.

• Electronic devices: Please turn off your cell phone or choose silent mode.

• Personal belongings: Please leave them in the changing room.

• Communicate: Let us know if you have any injuries, limitations, or concerns.

• Other people’s mats: Please do not step on other people’s mats – it is their sacred space

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DURING CLASS - ON THE MAT

• Yoga practice typically involves a series of physical postures that are coordinated with full breathing and a mental focus on the present moment. It is a lifelong practice and there’s no need to do it all on the first try. During class we offer modifications for the physical poses so you can choose to make them more or less challenging depending on your mood and needs. We want the practice to suit you and feel good.

• In Yoga practice, there is no competition. It is an opportunity for you to practice relaxed awareness of your body, breath and mind. Challenge yourself but don’t push too hard – Yoga should never be painful. If you can’t breathe, it’s a warning to back off a little and reduce the intensity of the pose.

• Child’s pose: Take care of yourself in the practice, rest in child's pose whenever you need a break. You can take this pose at any time, even if the teacher does not cue it.

• Savasana: This is the last pose of class where we lay down and close our eyes. It is an important pose because your breath and heart rate will return to normal, your muscles relax, your body temperature drops and your nervous system is refreshed and revitalised.

AFTER CLASS

• Return: If you borrowed a mat and used yoga props, please return them neatly.

• Shoes: Please put your shoes on at the door right before you leave. Please do not walk into the tea lounge or center with your shoes on. Thank you.

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WHAT TYPE OF CLASS SHOULD I TAKE?
The first place to start is to read our class descriptions in order to find classes that appeal to you. Then look at the timetable to see when the classes are available. You can find class descriptions and timetable here.

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If you need advice or have questions, please feel free to contact us and we can help to point you in the right direction.