Basic guidelines:

• Be on time.
• Do not eat two hours before a Yoga class. Doing poses with a full stomach can make you feel uncomfortable.
• Leave your shoes/sandals/slippers outside the room.
• If you are pregnant or you have health problems or injuries, inform your instructor. He / She will be able to tell the poses that you should avoid and the modified poses that you can do.
• Turn off your mobile phone or other electronic devices that can disrupt the serenity of the room.
• Be perfume-free. Strong fragrances, scented oils, or fragrant lotions can be distracting for some people in the room.
• Wear light and non-restrictive clothing.
• Respect the space of other people in the class. Do not walk on other people’s yoga mats
• Be quiet. Silence is important help maintain the serenity of the room by keeping your voice down.
• Pay attention. The instructor will be able to teach you the proper way to do a pose and even suggest a modified one so you do not push yourself too hard.
• Take a break when you need to.

 

Yoga Etiquette

 

Basic Yoga Terms:

ASANAS Also called Yoga Postures, Asanas are gentle stretching movements designed to help balance the mind and body.

CHAKRA A center of radiating life force or energy that is located between the base of the spinal column and the crown of the head. Sanskrit for “wheels.” There are seven chakras.

CORPSE YOGA POSE Also called Savasana, this is the classic relaxation Yoga Pose, practiced before or in between Asanas and as Final Relaxation.

DRISHTI The focus of the eyes in meditation. This is the focal point where one’s gaze lies to attain concentration alignment, and inner and outer balance. One actually does this to prevent distractions, but should be looking inwardly and not concentrate on the physical object. This could be the tip of your nose or in between your eyebrows, depending on your yoga pose.

LOTUS YOGA POSE This pose is such a perfect Meditation posture (if you can do it comfortably). It is a Yoga position in which you can sit perfectly straight and be absolutely still, relaxed, comfortable, and alert.

MANTRA A sacred mystic syllable, word or verse used in meditation to quiet the mind, balance the inner body and attain other desired aims.

MEDITATION This is one of the Five Principles of Yoga. It is the practice by which there is constant observation of the mind. It requires you to focus your mind at one point and stilling the mind in order to perceive the self.

MUDRA A symbolic gesture transmitting or redirecting energy in yoga or meditation. This can be a whole-body gesture or a hand gesture, like pressing your palms together. It is also defined as a hand gesture used in a traditional Indian dance.

NAMASTE The traditional Indian greeting of respect and thank you, with spiritual and symbol meaning. This is done with your palms pressed together in the middle of your forehead (third eye) or at your heart, and lightly bow your head and shoulders.

OM Or “aum”, a single-sound mantra that signifies the unification of the body, mind and spirit. This is an ancient Indian chant where the whole world was created and radiates. Om is also the vibration symbolizing Brahman. It was said that enlightenment and unification with the Supreme Being can be attained through this natural sound.

PRANA Life energy, life force, or life current. These finer-than-atomic energies have inherent intelligence, according to Yogananda, as opposed to atoms and electrons, which are considered to be blind forces. The Chinese call this life force chi.

PRANAYAMA Also called Yoga Breathing or Breathing Exercise, Pranayama is one of the Five Principles of Yoga which promotes proper breathing.

SHANTI Is peace or tranquility in Sanskrit. This inner peace is chanted to prevent curses and bad karma. Often, this is repeated three times after a prayer in order to achieve spiritual serenity.

SUN SALUTATION   Also called Surya Namaskar, Sun Salutation limbers up the whole body in preparation for the yoga asanas.

UJJAYI Also called Loud Breathing, this involves drawing air in through both nostrils with the glottis held partially closed. Ujjayi is translated as “what clears the throat and masters the chest area.”

VINYASA This is one of the Principles of Ashtanga Yoga that makes it distinct from the other Styles of Yoga. Vinyasa, which means breathing and movement, is for internal cleansing

YOGI Someone who follow the path of yoga. A female yogi called a yogini.