Here comes the preaching post!
I practise in person at the studio quite regularly. Although my usual studios are great places, there are just a few pet peeves that totally reduce the positive post-yoga effects, so please bear with my preaching post here.
Etiquettes to Observe at the Yoga Studio, No Matter if It’s Your First or Many-th Time Practising
1. Be early, or punctual.
I love studios where the teachers will definitely start on time, which is the most basic rule of any yoga studio or group yoga class out there. Being early for a few minutes at the mat is courtesy towards others, as teachers will often start with grounding meditative silences and warm-ups. It’s disruptive to have late-comers scrambling in when the rest of the class is already all settled and ready.
2. Don’t step on mats, other than the one you’re using.
The mat is NOT part of the floor (even if it’s on the floor).
Do not step on other people’s mats.
Do not step on other people’s mats.
Do not step on other people’s mats.
If you’re someone who finds nothing wrong with stepping all over empty mats as you make your way to your chosen mat inside the studio, I guess you probably won’t mind others stepping on your mat. However, this does NOT mean others don’t mind their mats being stepped on by someone else’s feet. The mat is where a practitioner will plant her head, forehead, hands, chins, and the whole body during practice. It’s very very rude to step on other people’s mats – no different from stepping onto your friend’s bed with your shoes on.
3. If you’re gonna take a photo or video of yourself during yoga practice at the studio, ensure other people are not in frame.
I’m as obsessed with taking videos of my yoga practice lol. On the other hand, I totally understand how uncomfortable it’ll be if someone nearby my mat is taking a selfie video and I’m in the frame. Therefore, we should all respect one another’s privacy, especially during yoga practice, when we should be focused on the practice fully, instead of being distracted by how we looked [in other people’s cameras].
So, for myself, I will choose one corner, or if the row turned out to not be occupied by anyone else, and ensured no one else is in the frame. Or, if it’s one of the super rare times I get the whole studio to myself, with just the teacher (also checked ahead for permission to shoot).
last row to myself! teacher practising with me 
fire hydrant pose
4. Keep the chatter strictly outside the yoga studio.
Both before and after class. A yoga studio is not a cafe or a supermarket. Exaggerating a bit here, but think of the yoga studio like a shrine, a temple, a place where people can meditate and would appreciate the rare peace especially among the hustle and bustle of a city.
5. Rest, and only rest during Savasana, for yourself and others.
Savasana (staying still in Dead Man’s Pose at the end of the session) is one of the most important parts of each yoga session.
Whether you wish to rest or not, other people in the class have the right to this moment of peace and quietness at the last few minutes of the class.
So please, don’t pick this exact time to practise your advanced inversions and start panting or falling off loudly 😓😓 Those gestures are really disturbing for others during their rest time. A few minutes of quiet time for restful rest is not too much to ask for. You can always continue your self-practice after class officially ends.
Also, please don’t rise and leave [noisily] halfway in Savasana.
Just because you can’t understand the purpose of this rest time. Unless you can be a ninja, to leave with no sound at all.
6. Get up when it’s time to get up from Savasana.
We all enjoy Dead Man’s Pose. But please, when the teacher cues to ‘wake up’ from Dead Man’s Pose, don’t stay sleeping in Dead Man’s Pose. Because sometimes right at the end, the teacher adds in a little bit more breathing exercises together as a class. Or will get the class to chant “Om” together to end the session.
Actually, not getting up from Savasana is not that big a deal compared to the hardcore huffing-puffing students in Savasana.
It’s really not that difficult to contribute to making the yoga studio a safe and pleasant space for everyone. Let’s practise mindfulness together and be more considerate towards others!
Namaste!
More yoga posts from The Petite Wanderess!
• How to DIY your yoga retreat in Ubud, Bali
• Review of Radiantly Alive yoga studio in Ubud, Bali
• Comparing 2 foldable travel yoga mats – Khataland Yofo vs Yogo
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