Q: What do I need to know to begin taking yoga classes?

A: We, Debbie, Ann, Caryl, Lindy, Evie, Maggie, Pat, Virginia, and Gail, The Yoga Center teachers, welcome you.
We invite you to share this sacred space for the Health & Well-being of your body, mind & spirit.
We honor you. Namaste’

Yoga Tips for your YOGA CLASS practice
How to receive more benefits from the yoga classes you attend

Before class:

Take your shoes off before entering the yoga room and leave them on the shelf outside class. Leave your worldly cares behind.
Have a relatively empty stomach-allow 1-4 hours after eating a meal.
Wear clothes that are loose or stretchy & comfortable-bare feet are best.
Empty your bladder & bowels prior to practice.
Drink plenty of water during the day so that you are well-hydrated.
Bring a mat, towel or blanket to practice on.
Leave cell phones & pagers behind or turned off.
Leave chewing gum behind. It’s hard to breathe & chew at the same time!
Go easy on perfumes & heavy scented lotions.
Arrive early and set up your space with props (blankets, straps, blocks, etc.).
Sign in and take care of payment.
Begin the inward journey by sitting quietly or speaking softly with others.

During yoga class:

If you arrive after class has begun, please enter quietly & wait to set up your mat if the class is in silence.
Let the teacher know of any recent injuries or health challenges you may have.
Create an intention--what would you like to receive from this practice?
Adopt an attitude of receiving and notice what happens.
Work lovingly with your body, going gently to its limit.
Follow the lead of your breath. It will tell you where to go.
Do not go to the point of pain: give yourself permission to back off or come out of a pose.
Let go of self-judgment & competition. Act as if you are here to get to know your self better.
If you must leave before the ending of class, please rest for 5 minutes in savasana or relaxation pose before leaving quietly.

What to expect after yoga class:

Drink water to help flush out toxins and re-hydrate your body.
Reflect upon the class, what you learned and how you felt.
Wait 24 hours before engaging in other physical modalities, e.g. working out or receiving a massage.
Notice your muscles, your posture, any changes. It is perfectly normal to feel your muscles as if they were worked or stretched. Pain is not a good indicator, either during the practice or the next day.
Review postures & breathing techniques, practicing again before the next class.
You won’t remember everything from class, so do the best you can!

Special Considerations:

If you are pregnant, please share that with your teacher as there are modifications needed for poses, which is why we have a specific class for Prenatal Yoga.

If you are menstruating, please nurture your body. Do not over-exert. Minimize standing poses. Do not invert so that the pelvis is above the heart. Instead, practice more soothing and restful poses, such as seated forward bends.

If you are returning from being sick or having had injury, please listen carefully to your body so that you do not overdo.

When in doubt, ask your teacher for guidance.

May you be happy, peaceful, and free from suffering.