10 Yoga Etiquette Rules You Need To Follow
While yoga is a great way to relax and unwind, there are some rules that you need to follow when doing it. This will help ensure everyone has a good time while working out. Here are 10 of the most essential yoga etiquette rules to follow.
Show up to class on time.
Don’t be late. If you’re running late and need to enter the room, do so quietly and without disrupting anyone’s practice. This is a courtesy that should be extended not only to yourself but also to others in your class.
If someone else has arrived early enough to claim their spot on a mat or chair, wait for them to finish before taking theirs–and then make sure they have time (and space) before conversing with them during or after class!
Don’t talk during class.
Talking can distract others and yourself, taking your mind off the moment and onto something else if you are trying to focus on your breathing or balance. If you have questions about poses, ask them after class when there is time for discussion or clarification on how to do the pose correctly–and if no one knows the answer, then keep practicing until you figure it out!
If you need help with anything related to class (e.g., finding an empty mat), try waiting patiently until after all students have arrived before asking someone else who may be able to assist; otherwise, they might feel rushed because they’re worried about getting started right away and won’t have time afterward either way!
Clean up after yourself.
It’s easy to forget you’re responsible for cleaning up in yoga class. If you don’t, others who come after you will also have to clean up your mess- and they may not be happy about it!
So make sure you put away all of the equipment (blankets, blocks, and straps), return mats to their proper racks when done with them, and wipe down any surfaces where sweat has accumulated (such as floors and walls).
- If you spill water, clean it up.
- If you drop something, pick it up.
- If you see someone else’s belongings on the floor and they are not there, leave them for them to find later when they return to their mat or chair.
Use props properly
Props are there to help you. Be sure to ask for assistance if needed, and don’t be afraid of looking silly; everyone was a beginner once!
- Don’t use props to show off–you wouldn’t use weights in a gym class just because they were there, would you? The same goes for yoga props: they’re not meant to be used as an excuse for being unable to do something without them.
- Don’t use props as an excuse for lack of flexibility–if something doesn’t feel right or isn’t working out, ask yourself whether it’s necessary before using a prop (or skipping the move altogether). If so–great! But if not… no one wants their practice interrupted by someone else’s ego issues. And remember that sometimes less is more: if something feels like too much effort or takes away from meditation time rather than enhancing it… Well, then maybe try another way around instead?
- Don’t leave your stuff lying around after class has ended–this includes mats, towels, and blocks (and anything else). We know how tempting it can be when we’re tired after finishing all those poses at the end of class… but think about all those other people who came before us and left nothing behind either!
Respect your fellow yogis.
Be mindful of their space and belongings. Ask the instructor or a fellow student for help if you’re unsure where to put something.
- Respect your fellow yogis by showing up in clean clothes, keeping it classy, and being mindful of any injuries or sensitivities you may have.
- Show up to class on time.
- Don’t talk during class! You’ll be distracting to the other students, who are trying to focus their energy inwardly and outwardly through their physical practice.
- Clean up after yourself: if you take a towel from the studio, don’t leave it there; if there’s a mat that needs washing at home (or wherever), ensure it gets washed; and so forth…
If someone is being incredibly disruptive during class–whether by talking loudly or making inappropriate jokes–ask them politely if they could stop; if they don’t comply with this request, then speak with the teacher directly about what happened afterward.”
Yoga etiquette is essential.
It’s a sign of respect for yourself and others and helps create an environment conducive to practice. When practicing yoga, remember that you are in a sacred space–the body–and should be mindful of the energy around you.
Yoga etiquette can be broken down into two categories: personal and communal. Personal yoga etiquette includes things like:
- Setting an intention for your practice (i.e., what do I want out of this session?),
- keeping your mat clean by wiping up sweat after class or bringing towels with you to wipe down equipment before using it,
- taking care not to disturb other students as they flow through their practice; communal refers more broadly toward how one conducts oneself during class itself: being respectful of others’ space by creeping through transitions between poses;
- listening attentively when being guided through a sequence;
- not talking while others are practicing unless explicitly invited by the instructor or classmate/practitioner ;
- and respecting the instructor’s authority by following instructions and not questioning them in front of other students.
Communal etiquette extends beyond the boundaries of the studio as well: it is essential to be mindful in your interactions with others outside of class (especially if you are sharing space with them), whether they are fellow practitioners or members of your community at large.
Yoga Etiquette – Conclusion
Yoga is a beautiful practice that can bring us closer to our bodies and minds. The more we practice, the closer we find balance in our lives, which is why it’s essential to be mindful of how we treat each other while doing so!