Yoga Etiquette – The Do’s and Don’ts of Yoga Class
8 min read
In life there are unspoken rules that guide our daily interactions. In libraries, bookstores and movie theaters you know to keep your voice down, and if you’ve seen the movie before…don’t spoil it! Don’t leave a swallow of milk in the carton, wipe off your sweat from the gym equipment, don’t double dip in the guacamole. The same holds true for yoga studios. If you’ve never attended a yoga class or if you’re going to try out a new studio, it’s only natural to wonder what to expect when you get there. Before you step foot into a studio, take a look at some general guidelines that we put together so that you don’t embarrass yourself before you do your first asana.
Before you enter
Shower
This seems pretty straight-forward but strong odors can have an impact on the entire class. Proper hygiene should be followed before you enter such a closed and crowded space. Cleanliness shows respect for the class and the practice. That is not to say you should douse yourself in perfume or cologne. Be mindful of others as they may have more sensitive to strong scents.
Dress appropriately
Yogas popularity has grown so much that it has spawned it’s own fashion wear. While much of the clothing serves one’s self esteem, it often does not help with one’s yoga practice. When choosing your yoga wear for class, look for comfort and function before form and fashion. This will assure you don’t have any distracting or embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions when you go for your first headstand.
Don’t eat 1-2 hours before practice
The reason this is important is because the many yoga postures work on the digestive tract. Doing yoga on a full stomach will likely leave you bloated and gassy as the energy used to digest a meal is now being used for yoga, which interrupts the digestion process. An empty stomach is generally better because it gives your abdomen room to flex and contract when doing poses.
Arrive on Time
Nothing is more annoying than the person who shows up to yoga class late. You are not only disrupting the instructors flow but also distracting your fellow yogis. It’s best to arrive at least 5-10 minutes early so that you can check in, setup your mat and props and get comfortable.
Turn Off Your Phone or Leave it Outside
It’s never a good idea to bring your cell phone into a yoga class. It’s not a place for selfies or conference calls and recording without permission is illegal. Not only is it a distraction but it also appears rude and disrespectful to the class and instructor. When it rings, it can take your fellow yogis out of their flow. Even if you put the phone on vibrate, it can cancel out one of the main benefits of practicing yoga, which is disconnecting from the world and reconnecting with yourself. Best practice, leave the phone outside of the class all together.
Keep the Noise Down
Once you arrive you may see fellow classmates mulling around outside the studio, in a lobby or hallway chatting about neighborhood gossip, celebrity musings, traffic or the latest episode of 90 Day Fiance. While yoga is a great social activity, please remember that there are likely other classes going on or people trying to get focused or relaxed before class. The yoga studio is a place for self reflection and internal dialogue so keeping the voice low can help foster a more meditative atmosphere. Be mindful of your volume and subject matter that you are discussing in the presence of others because our voices carry more than just words.
Be Respectful of the Space
The yoga class is often viewed as a sacred space. It is a place where people come to mindfully relax, unwind and feel good. I might be stating the obvious but don’t leave a mess, clean up after yourself.
Leave the Negativity Outside
Again, the yoga studio is a great place for social interaction but while you are there, try to make that interaction positive, encouraging and uplifting. You might be surprised by how a few kind words can make all the difference in another person’s life. You can save the rumors and gossip for another time.
If You’re Sick…Stay Home
In a yoga class, silence is golden, so when you’re sniffling and sneezing, blowing your nose or coughing up lung it can completely disrupt the mood. When you come to class sick not only can be very disruptive, but you also risk spreading germs to others in the class. So if you’re under the weather, take a break and practice at home. I’m sure you’ll be welcomed to return to class when your sickness has passed.
While in the studio
No Food or Gum
You can bring your own water to class but please refrain from bringing food of any kind. Food can bring unwanted smells, sounds of crumpled bags and crumbs that attract critters into the yoga space. The yoga studio is a place for self reflection and internal dialogue but when food is permeating the air it can be a distraction from your purpose for being there. Chewing gum is a choking hazard and is not a safe practice during yoga. It can interfere with your concentration and breathing. Imagine if during a pose you hear an audible grunt and suddenly a wad of chewed up gum is stuck to your mat. My guess is that you would not be too fond of the guilty gum chewer.
Take Off Your Shoes
This is standard practice in all yoga studios. Yoga is practiced barefoot so there is usually a place outside of the studio where you can leave your footwear. This is especially important during inclement weather because you don’t want to track mud or snow throughout the studio. In addition, if you have a good mat, your barefoot will grip your mat better than socks. Otherwise there are yoga socks that can be used if you insist on covering your feet.
Respect the Space
Yoga has become incredibly popular so it’s no wonder why there are so many yoga classes especially on Long Island. With that being said, the classes can get crowded. So, when choosing a place to lay your mat, be mindful of your fellow yogis. Leave room for others fit in without overcrowding the space. When the room is less crowded you may notice that the mats are staggered. This is to allow for each yogi to have their personal space.
Stay on Sequence
In yoga class the instructor leads the asanas. Many yoga teachers have planned out the order in which they will instruct with a particular motive in mind. When you deviate from the sequence it can frustrate the instructor and show a sign of disrespect. Remember, yoga is not a competitive sport that you have to show how strong or balanced you are. It’s about self reflection and internal dialogue.
Know your Limits
As we said before, yoga is not a competition sport. While it does give you a great workout, it’s not always about pushing your limits. Many yoga injuries are caused by doing too much too fast. Using props is not a sign of weakness, the props are there to help you. So don’t worry about showing off a difficult pose in class or trying to out stretch anyone. The beautiful thing about yoga is that when you go at your own pace, yoga will meet you wherever you are.
Be Flexible with Mat Placement
In yoga class, there is no assigned seating so don’t feel slighted when someone sets their mat in your usual place. When there are people who enter the class a little late, they may need some assistance finding a suitable place for their mat. Don’t be afraid to scoot over a bit to give a little room.
Try Not to Step on Someone Else’s Mat
Stepping on someone’s yoga mat is a violation of personal space. As you walk through the class to find a place, try not to walk on anyone else’s mat. When placing your mat you should provide for enough room so you don’t have to touch another person mat, ever.
Be Respectful of the Teacher and Class(atmosphere)
When the teacher is guiding the class through a series of asanas, they carefully decided on the sequence. Don’t add or change the sequence by skipping poses unless you have an injury. In that case, you should have a conversation with the instructor before class about any physical limitations you have.
Be Compassionate and Non Judgmental
Yoga can be a very personal and therapeutic experience for some. It is a way for some people to connect with themselves or release some toxic emotional energy in different forms. So don’t be surprised if you hear someone pass gas, don’t react like you’re in 2nd grade. Your mat is your safe space where you should be comfortable in your practice.
End of class
Put Away Your Props
This is just common courtesy. When you use any props like blocks, blankets or mats make sure they go back in their proper place. Most studios don’t have a maid service after each class, so at least clean up after yourself when class is over.
Don’t Skip Savasana
Savasana is the final and arguably the most important pose in yoga class. Don’t pack your stuff and shuffle out the door during this relaxation pose because it’s disrupted to the rest of the class and you’ll miss out on the gratification of completing the class. If you must leave early, tell the teacher before class and try to leave before savasana
Clean your Mat
It’s a good idea to keep your yoga mat clean after each class. The sweat and grime can accumulate and damage your mat as well as cause a smell. There are sprays available that will help clean your mat and leave it looking and smelling fresh for you next class.
Leave the Studio Tidy
Please leave the studio as clean as you found it. Take your water bottle, cleanup any spills or sweat you may have left, put things back in their proper place.When putting away
As you can see most of the etiquette is simple common courtesy. This is by no means the law of all yoga facilities. Many studios will have some form of guideline either posted online or in the studio. If you use the above mentioned list as a general guideline, your fellow yogi classmates will certainly appreciate it and you are sure to have a great experience.
