Practice Guidelines
Welcome to Moksha Yoga Center! We are delighted to have you as our guest. The following guidelines have been developed to ensure that every student has a positive and peaceful experience at our studio.
- Arrive to class on time. Those arriving more than 5-10 minutes after the start time may not be allowed to participate. Please check in and take care of payment arrangements before class.
- Enter fresh and clean. Do not wear perfume or cologne. Taking a bath or shower both before and after practicing refreshes the body and mind.
- Please remove your shoes at the door, an ancient custom from the East. Wear loose comfortable clothing with bare feet. Bring a towel.
- Absolutely no cell-phones or pagers are allowed in the class. Please leave them at home or in your car. Commit yourself to leaving behind the technology (and associated stress) during your practice.
- Practice on an empty stomach. Wait at least 2-3 hours after eating (longer if possible). Empty the bladder and bowels. A full stomach is a hindrance to the correct practice of postures and breathing.
- Inform the teacher before class if you have any injuries, diseases, recent surgeries, low back or disc problems, inflammation of the head, stomach, or eyes.
- It's okay to sweat which assists the purification process through movement and heat. Bring your own towel or practice rug to absorb sweat - our blankets are not to be used for this purpose.
- Your teacher may ask you not to drink water during class as it may reduce body heat and move energy in a downward direction (apana). The focus in an asana practice is on upward flow (prana).
- Be considerate of the sacredness of the space - pick up after yourself and if you borrow our props and mats, please fold them neatly and replace them in an organized fashion. Leave the space in better shape than you found it.
- Keep voices low when socializing in the common area as other classes may still be in progress.
- Do not strain, clench the teeth or jaw, hunch the shoulders, or hold the breath, unless instructed. Occasional spurts of aggressive, imbalanced practice are dangerous. Yoga is not competitive. More important than your level of flexibility is your sensitivity to the pose. Use your breath to work through tight spots.
- Regular practice is necessary to receive the full benefits of yoga.
- Inform the teacher if you are pregnant. Practice should always be done under the supervision of a physician.
- Remove contact lenses and keep the eyes open with a steady gaze, but not strained. Remove glasses for savasana, the final relaxation.
- During the menstrual cycle, inversions are generally not recommended. However, listen and respect your body and make a decision that is appropriate for you.
