You Did What? Top 8 Dos and Don’ts of Yoga Etiquette

With so many yoga styles and studios, it can sometimes be intimidating to leave your current studio and join a new one. But with the help of breath and guidance from other yogis, your timidness will be carried away to wellness and ease in no time.

Follow these eight tips to become more familiar with yoga etiquette.

1. Visit the studio’s website.

Many yoga studios have a frequently asked questions (FAQ) tab on their websites. These FAQ pages can help you learn more about the process for each studio and be a well-informed student the second you walk in the door.

Expert tip: Don’t be afraid to ask the front desk, teacher, or other students for help! This can be a great way to break the ice and make a new friend.

2. To mat or not to mat?

Many studios have mats for sale or rent, but if you have your own mat that you love—bring it! There is nothing like having your own sweat and tears on your own mat. And with so many different colors, designs, and styles, there is a mat to fit everyone’s personality.

Expert tip: Don’t forget to show your yoga mat a little love from time-to-time by giving it a quick cleaning. It’s easy to create your own yoga mat spray, all you need is a few ingredients and you’re good-to-go!

Made up of simple, natural, and soothing ingredients—click here for a simple yoga mat spray recipe to freshen up your mat.

3. Stay hydrated.

Sometimes we forget how important it is to stay hydrated during our yoga practice. As a lover of the environment and a fellow yogi, you should always bring a water bottle to class.

Many studios offer water filling stations where you can fill your bottle when needed, allowing you to continue on with your practice quicker and preventing throwing away nonempty water bottles later.

Expert tip: Drinking water during practice is not recommended, as it cools down the very same system you are trying to heat up. Think of it as having a bonfire but throwing ice in it from time-to-time.

4. Choose comfort over style.

Not sure what to wear before heading to the studio? A good way to determine what you should wear is to figure out what style of yoga you will be practicing that day.

If you are taking a yin yoga class or restorative yoga class, then comfortable clothes are a great option. But if you plan on going to a vinyasa yoga class, try wearing tight fitting clothes that will not get in the way of certain asanas.

You don’t want to distract yourself from your practice to keep fixing your shirt or adjusting your pants.

5. Bring your own towel.

As a teacher, if a student is dripping with sweat and without a towel, the chances of adjustments are slim. If you know you are a sweaty, rivers-running-down-your-back type of yogi, bring a towel with you.

Some studios rent towels, but bring your own just in case. There are great towels on the market that are small and soak up tons of sweat. Remember, sweating is a good thing but come prepared!

6. Leave your shoes at the door.

Yoga studios really appreciate this, as it is a form of saucha, or cleanliness. You want to keep the street out of where people walk around barefoot. If you love your shoes and don’t want someone else picking them up by accident, then pop them into your bag and take them with you.

7. Keep the Zen.

Sometimes we forget what is happening behind closed doors or in the other rooms around us. Keep in mind that the walls in most yoga studios are thin, and sound can travel.

Try to keep the talking to a minimum. This means turning off your cell phone before you enter class. You do not want to distract others with a single vibration or an obnoxious ringtone.

8. Respect your teacher.

Many yoga teachers like to create their own ambiance by facing mats a certain way or making people put their bags elsewhere, it’s important to always respect their style.

You might be an advanced practitioner and maybe you want to modify every pose, which is awesome, but let your instructor know before hand. It’s important to be respectful of others and to not interfere with their learning or focus.

As long as you honor the space, the people, and the room where you practice, you will leave a lasting impression.

After class, make sure you don’t leave anything behind—or take someone else’s shoe. You may even want to talk to the front desk or teacher and get recommendations on other classes that might interest you.

It’s all about the energy you leave with, so make sure it’s rich. Know you can always count on the staff and faculty at any studio to make sure you have a great experience.