Yoga Class: Helpful Tips on Yoga Etiquette

I’ve been writing about yoga practice for years now, but this article is a bit off the beaten track, deviating somewhat from the usual why-yoga, what-is-yoga and how tos of yoga. You won’t learn how to perform any asana’s (yoga poses) here, but you will discover a few savvy, relatively unsung yoga class tips and tricks not often included in your yoga teacher’s standard itinerary.

Good yoga and good manners go hand in hand, but not everyone is up to speed on the ins and outs of yoga etiquette, which falls into it’s own unique category.

Here are some suggestions for good yoga class behavior and for staying within everyone’s good graces. If you recognize yourself here, don’t stress-out; I’ve made almost all these yoga faux pas and I live to tell the tale.

1- Don’t delay the start of a yoga class by chatting with friends. I’m not saying don’t greet your classmates, it’s just that certain people tend to over-socialize when others are trying to get into a calmer mindset. Chatting away without concern for others is very un-yoga-like; it also delays the class, cuttings into the precious hour.

Take note....It is OK to express yourself during the class while performing your asanas (yoga poses). Naturally occurring exclamations such as sighs of relief, audible breaths, grunts and laughter are quite permissible. Some instructors even encourage it.

2 - Don’t bring your cell phone to yoga class unless you have a stomach for humiliation. If you are permitted to bring personal items into the yoga studio, at least make sure that your mobile phone’s volume is turned off. There’s nothing more distracting (or embarrassing) than hearing your distinctive ring tone competing with the reposeful Zen music.

Speaking of music...Try not to judge the instructor’s music selection. Everyone has their own idea of what works for a yoga class and like life, tastes vary. I had a teacher who consistently played cheesy tango music. Although it was simply dreadful, I eventually learned to chill out and go with the flow. Part of your practice is to remain nonjudgmental, even when it comes to the instructor’s choice of music.

3 - Don’t wear perfume or heavily scented creams or deodorants to class. Everybody is breathing deeper than they normally do and while your Euphoria by Calvin Klein may put your boyfriend in the mood, it probably won’t have the same effect on the girl next to you in yoga class.

4 - Don’t stake a claim on the same floor spot week after week. Someone else in the class may want a turn at sitting right in front of the teacher....or at the far right corner of the room. You’ll also be really disappointed if one day someone steals your spot.

5 - Choose your space wisely. Some novice yoga students choose to place their mats in the front of the room, close to the instructor, oblivious of the fact that it is poor yoga etiquette. If you are someone who consistently modifies poses, chooses to do an entirely different pose, or has difficulty keeping your balance during poses, it’s best to move to the back of the room. Balancing postures in particular, become more difficult for everyone when there is a visual distraction directly in front of them. An inexperienced student who places themselves at the center of attention is also inexperienced in the art of yoga etiquette.

6 - Don’t leave the room during a yoga class unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must leave, pack up and tip-toe out quietly and for heaven’s sake don’t let the door slam shut. Also, plan your exit when there is a natural break in the class, like during a child’s pose rest, or just before shavasana (corpse pose), the resting period at the end of the session.

1- Don’t wear a necklace to yoga class - You can’t do Ujjayi, or ocean breath, with bling blocking your nasal passages. What’s more, a dangling chain can throw you off balance and ruin your concentration.

2 - Don’t wear clothing that’s Too Big, Too Long or Too Loose.

• Too Big - It’s no fun doing a downward-facing dog when your t-shirt is covering your eyes. What’s more, if you’re a woman who’s wearing an over-sized t-shirt without a bra, just know that the guy on the mat behind you is getting an eyeful. Similarly, both sexes should always wear underpants under comfortably sized short-shorts. Many yoga positions can be quite provocative and ultimately revealing. The bottom line is, "don’t over-share in yoga class".

• Too Long - Your sexy yoga pants may look cool with your platform shoes when you’re out shopping, but they are useless in yoga class. Pants that are too long can get caught under your feet and trip you up. One should never wear socks during yoga practice for similar reasons. Yoga poses require good traction and you’ll slide all over the place in socks. If you have to invest in a pedicure, do it.

• Too Loose - Yoga class clothing should be comfortable, but there is such a thing as a top or pants being too loose. I’ve seen several people literally lose their shirts and their pants in a yoga class. A waist band or string tie must be secure and one should be aware of the consequences of performing forward folds and other inversion (head down) postures. You can fold right out of those Nike hipsters and sometimes a shelf bra just doesn’t keep the goods on the shelf.

1 - Most yoga studios provide students with a yoga mat. That’s great for beginners who are still deciding whether they like yoga. The downside is that the public mats don’t get washed every day. Some don’t get washed at all. When you consider the fact that a studio yoga mat comes in contact with hundreds of feet, hands, butts, heads and faces, you may want to buy your own. Hey, wouldn’t you rather have a bright orange mat with a cool carrying case anyway? They’re practically a steal on Amazon and you can buy them right from this page.

2 - Yoga Blocks - Yoga blocks are the dense foam blocks used for balance and support during your yoga workout. Some yoga studios provide them, others don’t. If your hamstrings are really tight and you can’t touch the floor (or your shins) a yoga block is essential for performing many asana’s. Blocks will also help you to develop good balance.

1- Hydration Tip - Drink plenty of water an hour or more before your yoga class. This gives your body time to properly hydrate. Some yoga teachers suggest that you do not drink water during a yoga class because it’s distracting and does little to hydrate you at that moment. If you come to class well hydrated, there is less chance that you’ll pull a muscle. On a similar note, empty your bladder before you begin your practice. Having to go pee during class is one distraction you don’t need.

2 - Food Fact - Don’t eat a lot before a yoga class. Many yoga asanas (positions) involve bending over and/or twisting from the waist. If you have a bellyful of food you may bring it up, or you’ll be uncomfortable at the very least.

3 - Balancing Trick - Before you move into a balance posture such as tree pose, or dancer pose, pick a distinctive place on the floor about 15 inches in front of you. Focus on that spot during the pose. Don’t check yourself out in the mirror. Just relax and stare at the spot on the floor and you’ll be able to hold your balance more easily.

4 - Focus Trick - Forget the glamor and tie back your hair. If you can’t put it in a ponytail, use hair pins or clips. Wisps of hair that get in your eyes and tickle your cheeks can ruin your yoga practice. Hair in your face can put you off balance not only because it impedes vision; you can’t focus on your asana if you’re constantly tucking your hair behind your ears. If you do tie back your hair, don’t do it in a way that makes it impossible to lie comfortably on your back.

5 - Things to Ignore -

• The clock on the wall (in yoga class time doesn’t matter)

• Your image in the mirror (only do so to check the accuracy of your position)

• Your classmates’ level of expertise (yoga class is not a competition)

6 - Thing to Remember -

• Never go to pain. (just feel the stretch or the strength of your muscles)

• Modify the pose for you level of expertise. (modifying will facilitate improvement)

So whether you are beginning yoga for the first time, or simply beginning your next yoga class, consider these often overlooked yoga tips and tricks. They’re sure to enhance your yoga practice.

Here’s wishing you a more enjoyable and fulfilling yoga experience.

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Have an opinion about these tips and tricks your yoga instructor may have missed? Have an experience to share? Your comments are always welcome!

Namaste.


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