What to Expect in a BlueSky Yoga Class
1. Please tell your instructor if you have any health concerns
or special needs before class begins. Arrive on time so you
have an opportunity to settle in.
2. Center your body/mind and create an intention for your practice.
Release unwanted thoughts and give yourself permission to be
in the class.
3. Breathwork/Pranayama often involves Belly Breathing or Three-Part
Breath. More advanced pranayama may be practiced in active classes
such as Power or Astanga Yoga.
4. Warm-ups for the spine and joints help ease the body into
the practice.
5. Yoga postures called Asanas are introduced to give the body
an overall workout. Asanas will be practiced standing, sitting
and lying on the floor. Many asanas can be modified for special
needs. Most classes will offer a balance pose. If you experience
pain or major discomfort in a pose, ask for assistance in modifying
the pose or back out of the pose until the discomfort subsides.
Always give yourself permission not to do a pose if you believe
it will not serve you!
6. Asanas that allow for rest periods are interspersed into
more active classes and are the focus of gentle or deep stretch
classes.
7. Cool down poses help the body prepare for the relaxation
segment.
8. Relaxation (savasana or corpse pose) allows the mind to integrate
what has occurred in class and helps body fluids and heart rate
return to normal. The relaxation portion is the most important
part of the Yoga class. The instructor will assist the student
in finding the proper alignment position for relaxation. Often
a blanket or light jacket is a used to keep body warmth in as
the body relaxes. An eye pillow can be used to increase darkness
behind the eyes and to place a gentle weight on the upper eyelids.
9. After relaxation, a meditation or reading may be offered
for contemplation. Most people feel a luscious state of well-being
after the relaxation segment.
10. Some instructors may chant the sound of OM individually
or with the class or the instructor may offer another chant
to set an intention for the class.
11. At the end of class, a Sanskrit greeting is used to close
the practice session. "Namaste" means 'the light in me sees
and acknowledges the light in you'. It can be used at the beginning
and/or end of class and is a sign of respect. Hands are placed
in the prayer position (anjali mudra) to convey respect and
a gentle bow is offered with the greeting.
12. After class, give yourself time to stretch and to slowly
come back to standing.
BLUESKY YOGA CENTER STUDENT GUIDELINES
- Please practice timeliness, as each class is organized
with an initial centering, middle, and relaxation. If you
come late, you will miss an important component of the class
and will also disturb others.
- Please be sure to arrive 5-10 minutes BEFORE the class
starting time to guarantee your space and to allow time
for sign-in, settling, etc.
- Always sign in on the class sign-in sheet and punch your
card, leaving it out by the file box.
- Class cards are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase
and are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-extendable.
- Unless instructed otherwise, please return mats, blankets
& props to their proper destination in the same way you
got them. Mats are rolled evenly and the blankets also have
a special fold. When in doubt, please ask the teacher.
- Please bring your own mat if you have one. After you have
been practicing for a while, we recommend that you buy your
own mat to deepen your practice.
- For those who tend to sweat, please bring a hand towel
to class.
- Be mindful of how & where you place your mat. Graciously
make space for others while maintaining an orderly set up.
- Turn off cell phones before entering the studio.
- Please leave shoes in the shoe rack. This helps keep our
space clean and is a mark of respect. Socks are not recommended
because your feet need a firm grounding during standing
postures.
- Bring your valuables into the studio with you. Although
we are at a sacred yoga studio, we still live in a metropolitan
area.
- For your comfort, please do not eat a heavy meal 2 hours
before class. A light snack is fine.
- Before class, please tell the teacher about any injuries
you might have. The instructor can help you modify a pose
to prevent further injury.
- If you feel pain or dizziness, stop and rest.
- Please don't start an intermediate or advanced class if
you are new to yoga. Sometimes it takes a while to incorporate
what the teacher says, which could be frustrating for a
beginner in a higher-level class.
- Don't force yourself to go deeply into a stretch if your
body is not ready. Yoga has nothing to do with competition.
Namaste |
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