Dos & Don'ts -

Dos & Don'ts-

The following rules of good YOGA etiquette will help you prepare yourself and feel comfortable in a YOGA setting. Based on common sense and courtesy, they are specific to most YOGA classes worldwide.

DO…..

1. Take a 'half' or full bath to relax and refresh the body and internalize the mind before class;
2. Wear supportive underwear and comfortable clothing the allow ease of movement;
3. Ring along a towel for sweat;
4. Bring a YOGA MAT - initially you could use the club mats available in class, but eventually you may be more comfortable with your own - invest in good non-slip YOGA MAT:
5. Arrive ON TIME - at least 10 minutes before class is scheduled to star - to set up and settle in;
6. Put the coupon in the box each time you join the class - you can do this before or after each and every class;
7. Ask the instructor for help if you need it;
8. Practice in a well ventilated non - air - conditioned environment, with plenty of fresh air;
9. Respect the instructor - when you enter a YOGA class, you sign on to respect the teacher for the next hour and a half. If you don't care for this teacher or his style, you should still continue with the class, follow the instructions, take your Savasana ( corpse pose or relaxation pose), and chalk it up to experience;
10. Consult with doctor or qualified YOGA instructor before beginning pratice, if you are nursing injury, high blood pressure, are pregnant, recently injured, have chronic back pain or have recently had an operation;
11. Listen to your body. Stretching is good, pain is not. Yoga does not' go for the burn'

DON'T…..

Tuesday, 8 December, 2009

1:45 PM

• Have a big meal right before class - have an empty or near empty stomach. Wait a minimum of 2 hrs after eating before practicing postures and 3~4 hrs after a large meal. If hungry before class, eat lightly, some fruit or yoghurt;
• Take solid food immediately after class - wait at least 30min;
• Drink water during class, and at least 20min after;
• Wear shoes or socks during class - go barefoot;
• Have your mobile phone ringing - minimize distraction, and make it a habit to adjust to silence mode before class - have consideration for your YOGA mate;
• Bring children - because you cannot ever adjust them to silence or non -vibrating mode;
• Compare yourself with other students - each develops at their own pace - but look to know if you have the posture right especially if the instructor does not demonstrate every pose;
• Skip SAVASANA - your final relaxation in SAVASANA is an important part of your practice. Don't plan to leave class early. If you must, tell the teacher in advance and take a short SAVASANA before you go. Don't make a habit of this;
• Practice to the point of exhaustion - if you over overly tires or sore after a regular session, you may be at it too long or attempting postures too advanced or strenuous if you have severe pain that doesn't lessen I 24hrs, muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness or unusual symptoms, see you doctor;
• Attempt inverted postures during menstruation as they reverse the flow of blood ( headstand, shoulder stand & plow). Some methods suggest refraining from practice of postures within the first 48 ~ 72hrs;
• Practice asana after the 4th months of pregnancy;