Etiquette & FAQs
Yoga Etiquette
To ensure you have a pleasant, rewarding experience at our studio, we ask you to please observe the following guidelines when attending classes at Asha Yoga.
Sign-In & Payment: Please sign in before class, by printing your name on the appropriate sheet at the front desk.
Ambiance: Please enter/exit and speak quietly at all times. Turn cell phones off. (Please do not use cell phones in the yoga room at any time.) If you must leave early, do a short 3 to 5 minutes of savasana (final relaxation pose) and then leave the studio very quietly.
Yoga Props: You may borrow a studio mat for your first class and rent a mat for $1 after that. Please plan to purchase your own mat as soon as possible. When borrowing props, please spray and wipe down mats after use, roll straps and stack blocks neatly.
Injuries: Inform instructor about any injuries or pregnancy before class begins.
Mindfulness: Always practice within your own limits. Be kind to yourself in action and judgment. Approaching your yoga practice with expectations or ego may result in undue frustration and injury.
Please do your best to follow the above Studio Ettiquette, but if another student does not, be compassionate, understanding, and let it go.
FAQs
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a scientific system developed in India with roots going back over 5,000 years. The direct translation of the Sanskrit word “yoga” is “to yoke” or create union (between our mind, body and spirit). Traditionally the goal of yoga is to improve the quality of our lives by helping us to achieve our highest potential and experience enduring health and happiness. Many schools in the U.S., however, tend to focus on the aspect of improved physical fitness and/or physical therapy. At Asha Yoga we welcome you to appreciate the versatility of yoga. You may chose to focus only on the physical, the psychological, the spiritual, or all of the above.
Is Yoga religious?
Yoga is not a religion. It is a spiritual practice that can be (and has been) a part of many religions throughout history, but is not in and of itself a religion. At Asha Yoga most of our classes focus on the physical aspects of breathing and moving through yoga postures, but to cultivate union between “mind, body and spirit” it is essential to study the spiritual elements of the practice as well. While we do hope you feel the freedom and the space for the more personal or spiritual aspects of yoga to unfold naturally on an individual level we will offer the opportunity for students to learn and practice yoga fully in your life and not just in your body.
What is Ujjayi breathing?
Ujjayi is a breathing technique that makes a continuous whispering sound in your throat. The throat is slightly constricted, which slows the inhale and exhale, which allows more time for the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange process and consequently cleansing the body more thoroughly. Oxygen-rich blood also creates healthy blood cells and cellular regeneration, nourishing our vital organs. Practicing this technique also generates internal heat, which adds to the cleansing process, and the sound gives our mind something to focus on. If you are unclear in how to practice Ujjayi breathing, please request more details from any Asha Yoga Teacher.
What does Namaste mean?
The word Namaste (Pronounced Nah-Mah-Stay) is literally translated as “I bow to you”. More generally, it is an ancient sanskrit understanding of interconnectedness. Teachers will often say “Namaste” at the end or beginning of class as a way of acknowledging that we are all connected on a deep, non-physical, divine, level. If you wish to make that same acknowledgement you can respond by repeating the same: “Namaste”.
How often should I practice yoga and can I practice everyday?
Any yoga is better than no yoga and a little bit everyday is better than a lot every once in a while. To see and /or feel significant physical and mental changes however, we need to practice for 1-1.5 hours AT LEAST three times a week. Because yoga does not generally break down our muscle tissue the way other fitness activities do, it is not necessary to take a day off from practice. You can practice everyday as long as you feel healthy. Be conscious of modifying your practice when needed due to energy level and/or physical fatigue. Yoga should never deplete you.
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is the science of breath control. It consists of breathing exercises especially intended to meet the body’s needs and keep it in vibrant health. It is also a very important tool used for preparing to meditate.
Why practice meditation?
Meditation is a natural process of withdrawing attention from external conditions and directing it inward to a chosen focus of concentration. The side-benefits of regular meditation practice have been widely reported in a variety of secular news magazines and newspapers. These can include stress reduction, strengthening of our immune system, better organized thought processes, improved concentration, enhanced memory and refinement and enlivening of our nervous system. For these reasons, regular meditation practice is now increasingly recommended by many physicians and other health practitioners.
While the side-benefits can be welcomed and enjoyed, the primary purpose of meditation practice is to elicit clear states of consciousness and to facilitate progressive, authentic spiritual growth.
