I’m New to Yoga

Pick the appropriate level class
New to yoga? A Beginners, Therapeutic, Restorative / Sound Healing, Meditation class would be appropriate for you. A Level 1-2 class would not be appropriate, as it would be too advanced. Your safety is our main concern.

Questions? Feel free to ask our Yoga Advisor: Ashley@bethechangeyoga.com

Arrive early
If you’re new to the studio, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork. If you’re returning, being early shows respect for the teacher and the other students. It helps to arrive at least 5 minutes before class begins to organize the mat and ensure everyone has enough space. All of our Yoga classes begin with 5 minutes of Centering / Meditation, so if you arrive late, please come in quietly and wait for the meditation to conclude before setting up your mat.

Refrain from wearing cologne or perfume
Some people are sensitive to scents.

Remove shoes before entering the studio
You can leave your shoes in the lobby or place them in a cubby inside the studio.

Set up quietly
Avoid slapping your mat down and banging your props around. Treat the studio as sacred space.

Please turn off your cell phone
We ask that students turn off their cell phones and refrain from using them during class.

Introduce yourself to the teacher before class if:
1. You’re pregnant, 2. Recovering from an injury or illness, 3. Are new to yoga. He/she will be able to give you modifications and adjustments as needed.

Don’t get attached to your space
We all like to be in our comfort zone, and our yoga practice is no exception. Sometime we get attached to a particular spot in the room and claim it as ours. If a teacher asks you to move in order to accommodate other students, please be gracious and give up any attachment to your spot.

Listen to your body
If something doesn’t feel right, flag the teacher down and let them know. They’ll find another variation or pose for you. There’s no competition here, you don’t have to push through the pain. The first rule of yoga is ahimsa, or kindness, non-harming.Pain means come out of the pose. If your breathing becomes labored, come out of the pose.

Acute injuries
If you are experiencing an acute injury accompanied by pain, please wait until you are in a pain-free state before attending a group Yoga class. Ex: whiplash after a car accident, torn rotator cuff, sprained ankle, strained low back muscles. If you have a specific injury and are interested in rehabilitation through Yoga, please schedule a private Yoga Therapy session with one of our highly trained Yoga Therapists.

Don’t come to class sick
If you are experiencing a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, please wait until your symptoms subside before joining a group Yoga class.

End quietly
If you’re prone to snoring, you may want to lay on your side rather than on your back during the final relaxation pose. After class, gather your belongings quietly as you exit the room.

Feel free to hang out in the lobby lounge area before or after class

Ask questions
It is okay to ask questions of the teacher before or after class. Feel free to contact our yoga advisor, Ashley Arroliga with any yoga-related questions. Ashley@bethechangeyoga.com

New to the studio?

Q. Do I need to bring a yoga mat?
A. If you have your own mat, bring it. Otherwise, we’ve got you covered. We provide yoga mats, blankets, blocks, straps, and whatever other props you need at no extra charge. Eventually you’ll want to get your own mat, but for now, you’re welcome to use a studio mat.

Q. Do I need to pre-register?
A. There’s no need to pre-register for classes. If you’re brand new to the studio, however, plan to arrive a few minutes early to fill out paperwork and become familiar with the studio.

Q. I’m pretty tight. I’m not sure I can do yoga. What do you suggest?
A. Flexibility is a result of your yoga practice, not a requirement. The more you practice, the less tight you become. Be the Change Yoga offers plenty of classes to fit your schedule. The following types of yoga would be appropriate for someone new to yoga and/or someone who is tight: “B” for Beginners, “T” for Therapeutic and “R” for Restorative.

Q. I just found out I’m pregnant. Is it okay for me to do yoga?
A. Yes, yoga is beneficial in handling pregnancy and birth related issues for moms-to-be. If you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you can continue your current practice with a few modifications. If you’re new to yoga, it’s best to attend prenatal, beginner, or gentle classes. Be the Change Yoga offers several classes which are safe for prenatal students.

Q. I’m not sure which class is the right one for me? What do you suggest?
A. We have someone on staff who can help you with that. Contact Ashley Arroliga, our yoga advisor.  She’s happy to answer any questions you might have about yoga, the schedule, particular poses, etc. Feel free to use her as a resource. She can be reached at Ashley@bethechangeyoga.com