What is the right thing to do?
This is the fourth article in the Yoga Etiquette series.
The first article dealt with what to do before you come to the studio take a class.
- Be clean
- No Scents
- Proper clothing
- No eating
- Arrive on time
The second article covered setting up your space in the studio.
- Roll out your mat
- Do not crowd others
- Get your props ready
The third article talked about what to do during the class.
- Respect the teacher
- Follow the teacher’s instructions
- Do not talk
- Do not flirt
In this fourth article we are talking about what to do now that the class is over.
What to do after class
Clean up your space
When the class has finished: collect your belongings; return any props that you may have used such as blankets or blocks to their storage space.
Clean up your sweat
When you vacate your spot on the floor try to leave it better than you found it. If you have had a sweaty practice be sure to mop up with your towel. Not only is it good manners it is also a safety concern as well. Sweat on the floor can be invisible and someone stepping in it could slip and fall quiet easily.
Return borrowed mat
If you borrowed a yoga mat for your practice, clean it and return it to the storage area. There are usually spray bottles and towels available for you to use. You should make sure that the mat has been thoroughly cleaned. Someone else will be using it next time and they will not be happy if they have to practice in your sweat. Old sweat can be quite smelly as well. Please be sure to clean your matter thoroughly.
Talk to the teacher
Now is the time to talk to the teacher. You should keep talking to a minimum during the class. Be mindful of the needs of other people’s desire to talk to the teacher as well. The teacher may have limited time available for conversation before the next class starts.
Leave the space quickly
There may be another class starting right away or the teacher needs to leave and close the studio. A short conversation with other students or the teacher after class is fine. Long conversations should be moved out of the studio. Perhaps it is time for a coffee at Tim’s or chat in the parking lot.
Move on and give the next class a chance to set up without disrupting your conversation.
That’s it
Well that is the end of the series.
Did I miss something? Is there something that you think should be included in the list? Is there something that has been bothering you about conduct in a yoga class? Let me know! Use the comment section below.
