As both a yoga practitioner and a yoga teacher, I have learned a few essential things along the way about how one can prepare to ensure their yoga class, and that of their fellow yogis, is enjoyable.
1. Don’t Eat Before It’s recommended that you don’t eat at least two hours before a yoga class. The main reason for this is that full stomach interferes with the postures and your breathing by restricting the space in the abdomen. Also, you want to avoid embarrassment by passing gas in a class so keep in mind, some high-fibre foods such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may cause more gas than other types of food.
2. Do Wear Appropriate Clothing You need clothes that give you room to move and provide space for your body to breathe. And ladies, beware of low-cut tops, particularly when practicing in a quick, moving class. I can tell you from personal experience that breasts will threaten to pop out in certain poses when not properly clothed (that exact situation ruined a class for me as my thoughts were on my breasts instead of my breath.) And gentlemen, if you’re going to wear small, loose shorts, please wear fitted underwear, it can be very distracting for teacher and students alike when your stuff is hanging out. There are shorts available with built-in underwear that will remedy this situation.
3. Don’t Wear Perfume Out of respect for other students, skip the perfume and strong-scented deodorants. Some people have very sensitive noses and certain smells can be overpowering, which in turn can be very distracting.
4. Don’t Wear Makeup For those of you who take hot yoga or enjoy a sweaty vinyasa class, skip the mascara and eyeliner to avoid raccoon eyes.
5. Do Buy a Good Yoga Mat If you’re serious about your yoga practice, invest in a good quality yoga mat. A good mat can help you hold your positions properly, longer and more effectively. Note: If you choose to use one of your studio’s mats, find out how often they’re cleaned.
6. Don’t Wear Jewellery or Eyeglasses Or wear at your own risk as you could damage them or yourself.
7. Do Brush Your Teeth and Take a Shower Again, out of respect for other students, come to class clean and without odour. As well, I’ve found that taking a shower before helps one feel a lightness and freshness in the body that improves your overall well-being.
8. Do Bring Water to Class This will keep you hydrated and help eliminate toxins from your body. Many yoga studios offer filtered water for free, just bring your own environmentally-friendly water container.
bowel movement before a class allows you to practice certain poses with lightness.
10. Do Check Your Ego at the Door You can have a safer and more enjoyable class if you leave your ego behind. Listen to your body, relax and go at your own pace. Remember, that yoga is not a competition with other students or with yourself.
