props. Settle down. Center. Socialize if you want to. Work on increasing your total
number of Facebook friends if you prefer. Or like me… Do a few crunches. But please be
on time. It is disruptive to others when you’re late. Whether you meant to or not, tardiness
will affect others by forcing them to shift mats around and by making unnecessary noise.
Organize your time efficiently and everyone will appreciate it, especially your teacher.
2. Think Airport Security. No metal. No shoes. No electronics. When you enter class
(kind of like when you board a plane), please switch your electronics to the “OFF”
position. I am ok if you bring water or any other beverage (even your double espresso
cappuccino from Starbucks-don’t ask). You don’t need your backpack, your coat, your
Bloomingdales brown bag or any other accessories. Oh, and is the noisy jewelry really
that necessary? That’s what lockers are for. All you need is your mat and a towel.
Simplify. Life is simple!
3. Be ordinary. Follow the flow. Don’t show off. Be part of the group. Follow the
sequence. Be a trooper. You don’t have to show all your “advanced” skills on the floor.
This isn’t an open call audition for a coveted spot on Cirque du Soleil. I understand you
want to get a good practice going, but please follow your teacher and honor him/her by
being part of the group. It’s ok if you add your own flare to your practice but if you are
going to perform “selective yoga”, then you’re probably best suited for a really nice yoga
DVD.
4. Do not leave before the end of practice. I repeat, do not leave before the end of
practice. If the fire alarm goes on, ignore it! (I kid, I kid). Whether you are coming to
class for a physical or spiritual practice (or both), it only takes 5 minutes for the average
yoga relaxation to conclude. Close your eyes and count sheep if you have to. But do not
leave! Be respectful to others next to you that might need that quiet time for themselves.
Be respectful to your teacher and the group from beginning to end.
5. It’s ok to share! Don’t be territorial. Some classes get really, really packed and may
require you to share blocks, blankets or straps when you are not using them. Make sure
people around you are ok. Take care of your neighbor. If you see someone looking for
a space to set their mat and you can afford to move your own mat a few inches for
them, please do so. You may feel cramped, but I will honor your kindness with a
lifetime worth of downward dog adjustments. Share the space. We all want to have
enough space to extend our arms without bumping into someone but the reality is that
we all need yoga so you probably won’t have all the space that you want and only the
space you need. That is totally ok. All you need is love and enough space to fit your
mat. Work with what you have. Be happy with less.
6. Communicate with your instructor. If you have injuries, speak up! If you are pregnant,
speak up! If you don’t want to announce to the world that you have a medical condition,
injury or may be pregnant, kindly approach your teacher with any information that may
prevent you from performing certain postures. Be kind to your teacher by letting her/him
know that you will be modifying certain things so he/she knows what you are going
through. If you are new, communicate that too. If you have questions, ask. Most yoga
teachers I know don’t read minds. I have yet to perfect that supernatural ability.
7. Respect yourself. Treat yourself with love and kindness. We all have physical
limitations. Embrace them! Perhaps it’s not reaching your toes, maybe it’s an inability to
twist because your belly is in the way, or your crow falls apart. So what?! These
imperfections DO NOT define your practice. Use the time on the mat to nurture yourself.
Life is already challenging enough, why approach your practice as if you were in a
boxing match against yourself. Observe your thoughts on the mat and infuse them with
grace and love. Each thought is just as important as your breath. Observe the energy that
you bring into the room. Transform yourself from the beginning of the practice to the
end. See the changes.
8. Say thank you. If you love the class say, “thank you.” If you hate the class say, “thank
you.” If you decide your teacher doesn’t suit your vibe, say thank you and never come
back but show gratitude. Bless the space and everyone in it. Say thank you. If your
practice sucked today say thank you… You made it one more class and tomorrow will
be a better day.
No comments:
Post a Comment