I made it to a yoga class for the first time this year. I intentionally stayed away until now, letting the resolution crowds thin a bit. Alas the class was full. Busting at the seams, actually. Several straggled in late and we all sardined in even more. I was accommodating, until the last straw, that is. While one woman was moving urns and bamboo planters to manufacture a space for herself another decided she’d go in front of me, but perpendicular in a parallel class so her mat overlapped mine so much it intersected. I prayed the instructor would say something, anything. WTH?? I cowered in the upper quadrant of my mat and flowed as best I could until said intersecting interloper fell out of half moon, kicked my Sigg bottle and sent it hurtling bullet-like across the room. The zen ends here. I’m pretty sure 99.9% of you would never commit such heinous yoga transgressions. But I feel it’s my duty to share some guidelines anyway:
- Don’t show up late to a yoga class. Just. Don’t. Ideally you’ll arrive at least 10 minutes early (or whatever is necessary) to find a spot that is comfortable for you. Do your best not to leave early too.
- Classes should have a maximum capacity, but in my experience, some don’t. There should be at least a couple of inches on all sides between your and your neighbor’s mat. Refrain from moving furniture and plants. Overlapping mats=mucho no bueno.
- Turn off your cell phone before entering the studio and be considerate of your fellow students by refraining from extraneous chit chat before and during class.
- Remove your shoes before entering the yoga studio. There are usually cubbies provided. Refrain from dragging your coat, boots and gym bag into the studio too.
- If you don’t yet have your own mat and you use one belonging to the studio, please wipe it down before and after you use it.
Did I miss anything? Is your yoga studio/gym still crowded?
Rude! I hope she at least apologised.
for me it is all about turning off my BRAIN.
making that a conscience choice.
I think it’s rude to show up late to any class to be honest. There was a first timer at my spin class on Monday night who showed up a few minutes late and the instructor had to help her set up her bike, etc, and it took a good 5 minutes away from the rest of us.
Robin you make an excellent point. Our spin instructor has to ask people not to chat through the class sometimes too.
So frustrating! I really need my personal space — especially for yoga!
Ugh – the lateness. That bothers me in any class. If you’re late, don’t come in. That’s just rude.
I just read an article about the ugly side of Groupon yoga deals. The extra bodies it brings to a studio isn’t necessarily a good thing. Case in point!
great tips! etiquette for any and all group classes is so important!
Your yoga classes sound comically awful! Mine all had max limits and sometimes you had to sign up for them in advance to make sure you got a spot. I probably would have been the annoying person to yell at the lady infringing on my mat space. Sometimes I find it’s cathartic to terrify people.
I love that everyone is usually early for a yoga class- it’s such a more calm, laid back energy than the cardio/strength classes!
Don’t come to a class and then do your own thing. Recently I was at my regular Wednesday yoga class and a woman showed up, late, put her mat in front of me, and proceeded to do her own routine. Seriously? It was so distracting to me! Instead of feeling zen and relaxed, I struggled to focus on what the instructor was doing. Ayy!
Oh wow. I might have actually made a really big scene about moving or even leaving. Definitely need a cap on the class. There was a step class that even though it did have a cap on it, people would try to squeeze in, especially the stragglers. I hate when I feel like someone is just right on top of me in the way so I would very obnoxiously move my step. Mature I know 😉
It’s been a while since I’ve been to any sort of group class, for all the above reasons. Would like to try bikram yoga though, sweating seems like it would help loosen me up.
“The zen ended here.” Loved that comment! I am thankful that my yoga classes are by reservations only so that they can’t overcrowd. That said, remembering to call and sign up is kind of a pain.
I keep saying it, but I need to get back to yoga–don’t want to push the high hamstring, though, which I know you get!
Those sound like good rules! I’ve only done yoga at home, but I feel the same about most gym classes in general. Don’t show up late, you are wasting everyone’s time and it is rude! And a max capacity is always a good idea!
I love your yoga class stories! But sorry that you have to put up with that nonsense. I haven’t been to one that crowded and hope I don’t have to! I think you are much nicer than I might have been.
I hate when people come in late. I’ve turned around and went home when I realized that I was going to be late.
Definitely great tips!! It took me awhile to get used to really crowded studios and understand how to just be comfortable moving that closely!
My tips: If you need a break during the session do a child’s pose, don’t stand around as it is distracting. Also please take a shower before yoga, or if that’s not possible, at least use some diapy wipes! Finally, clean up any sweat drops around your mat!
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe that woman! Talk about ruining the experience for others. Sheesh. These are really great yoga tips (admittedly, I’ve been late to a few classes – really bad I know!!!). I fully agree with you on #2, it is hard to do yoga when you’ve got people’s feet right in your face!
I’ve been thinking about doing a Bikram Class. It’s been a while 🙂
Amen! Do you know how many classes I’ve attended where folks have violated these basic rules? Thanks you!
YES – such important etiquette!
Part of the reason why I am ALL over doing yoga podcasts / videos in the comfort of my own home 😉 I mean, what’s the point of yoga if there are all of those distractions taking away from the whole PURPOSE of yoga-ing?
I have never been to a yoga class but I’m pretty sure if I went and someone’s mat touched mine at all I wouldn’t be as nice as you were – I like my space!!!
Yikes. Sounds way too packed!
My number one pet peeve is overlapping mats. Hello people mirrors are there for a reason. Thank you for sharing these rules.
I so want to try yoga but I would love private sessions – no I have not won the lottery. 🙂
Oh gosh, what a horror! I haven’t been to an actual Yoga class but I’m smart enough to know it’s all about peace and tranquility. Which you won’t find with any of the things you mentioned going on. I understand some people are new to the gym but that doesn’t mean that they can’t use common sense.
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long)
so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
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