~What is Yoga?
The word yoga comes from Sanskrit language and means union or blend. The ultimate aim of this philosophy is to strike a balance between mind and body and attain self-enlightenment. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation to establish a healthy balanced approach to life.
~The benefits of yoga include:
increased muscle tone and flexibility, improved strength and endurance, weight loss, improved breathing, stress and anxiety relief.
I have never done yoga before, how do I get started?
There are several ways for people to get started. Classes are open to all levels and can vary in intensity depending on the style of class and teacher. If you have never taken a yoga class, you are welcome to attend our Brand New Beginners’ Series. This 8 week series is a great way to establish a solid foundation for a yoga practice as well as a good way to get committed to improving your health. In this series you will learn more about yoga, develop the skills and knowledge that can help support a healthy lifestyle, and discover techniques which help to reduce stress.
Some styles are hot, challenging, fast paced and vigorous while others are gentle, slow-moving and restorative. All styles of yoga have benefits, so evaluating your individual needs and personality type will help point you in the right direction.
This is my first time to Stillpoint. What should I bring?
If you have a mat, please bring one. We have mats that you can rent for $2.00, however we recommend investing in your own mat for sanitary purposes. We are proud to offer JADE Yoga Mats for sale at our studios. You may want to bring a bottle of water and a hand towel to class as well. Please arrive a few minutes early for your first visit to Stillpoint to sign a new student form and to get acquainted with the teacher. Please be sure to inform the teacher if you have any injuries or limitations prior to class. Our staff will be happy to assist you in modifying the postures as needed. Please be sure to turn off cell phones as this can be a distraction to your own practice as well as other students.
***If you would like to drop-in to try a class, feel free to attend any of our regularly scheduled group classes. The drop in price is $15.00 per class and you may drop-in at any time, there is no need to preregister or sign up in advance. You may attend classes on a drop-in basis for as long as you like or consider our class card options, which offer a discount.
Drop-in rate- $15.00
5-class card- $70.00 (nice option for those wishing to try out a few different teachers and styles)
10-class card- $125.00 (valid for 6 months)
Yoga Etiquette:
People who are new to yoga and long-time student practitioners sometimes need a refresher in etiquette when it comes to yoga classrooms and yoga studios. Some of this is common sense. Other tips are not so obvious.
Experiencing a yoga class for the first time or the hundredth time should be enjoyable, stress-free and should include considerate behavior to all other students in the class and to the teacher.
Etiquette Tip #1: Make it part of your yoga practice to arrive early. Getting to class about 10 minutes early can help you sign in, settle in and align your attitude with the purpose of the class. While you’re waiting you can practice a pose, do a few stretches or just sit or lie quietly, breathe and get centered. Repeatedly arriving late to class can be disruptive to others. We realize that situations do occur, however. If you do arrive late, politely prepare yourself for class at the door (put away your keys, remove your coat, cover-up, shoes) and have your mat ready to unroll quietly as you get on the mat.
Etiquette Tip #2: Please turn off cell phones, pagers & anything that makes noise. If you must bring your cell phone, pager or iPod or any other electronic equipment into the yoga studio make sure it is off or that all settings are on silent. If you are a doctor on-call talk to the teacher and let them know that you will be leaving your electronic equipment on vibrate. For anyone else, turn it off. If you are expecting a call that is that important, perhaps you should skip class. It is very distracting for other students to hear the beep, ring or vibrate of a cell phone in the middle of yoga practice.
Etiquette Tip #3: Remove your shoes before walking into the studio… PLEASE NO SHOES ON THE YOGA FLOOR.
Etiquette Tip #4: Please do not come to class if you are ill. Yoga is usually done is close proximity to others. Not only does coming to class sick have the potential of making others sick, coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose etc. can be disruptive for both the teacher and the other students. Take the time to recover completely before returning to class.
Etiquette Tip #5: Bring Your Own Mat. We have mats available to rent for $2.00 for new or trial membership students, or if you have forgotten your mat. It is best however to use your own mat. One good reason is that it is more sanitary to use your own mat, rather than a shared mat. A decent “sticky” mat can be purchased for around $10 to $25 at any discount store like Target or Five Below. We also sell the fabulous Jade Yoga Mat at both studios. The investment in this mat is well worth it!
Etiquette Tip #6: Do not disrupt meditation by leaving early. While it is hard to convince some yoga students that the meditative portion of class at the end is the most important, try not to leave during meditation. If you must leave class early, please inform the teacher before the start of class. Please exit the studio before Savasana/Meditation (final relaxation pose). If you need to leave early, allow yourself a few minutes in corpse pose to reap in the benefits of your shortened practice. This also alerts others around you that you plan to leave class a bit early. If you know that you have to leave before meditation starts, please set up near the door and leave before everyone gets into the relaxation position.
Etiquette Tip #7: Follow the Teacher. The reason to partake in a yoga class is to follow the instructions of the teacher. Not following the instructions of the teacher can be confusing for both the teacher and the other students. Unless you are doing modified poses for back or other injuries, or the modified poses of pregnancy, it’s best to stick with what the teacher is doing. It is better to sit still and skip certain moves if you do not or cannot do them than to do your own thing in the middle of class.
Etiquette Tip #8: Do not wear excessive perfumes or oils. Because classes involve breath work and deep breathing, it is considerate to not wear excessive perfumes, colognes or even essential oils, or none at all. If you go to class from work, and wear perfume during the day, simply skip applying any on the day you have yoga. During yoga practice nobody wants to breathe in a medley of perfumes or colognes. For students with allergies or sensitivities, they may have to leave the studio if the perfume scents are too strong.
Etiquette Tip #9: Come in with an open mind and an open heart. Training with an open heart and mind allows us to remain present. This may help you become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate, healthier, stronger or more skillful. Practicing non-judgment will not only help you but may benefit a friend, your family and the world around you.
Etiquette Tip #10: Speak in hushed tones before and after class. Loud voices can interfere with students who have arrived early for meditation or staying after class for some quieting time. Be respectful of the volume of your conversations.
Etiquette Tip #11: Be a good yogi and clean your borrowed mat before putting it away. Mat disinfectant is kept at the studio. Also, please pick up and neatly put away any props you use.