“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” – Emily Post
Yoga Etiquette for a Modern World
At the Funky Buddha we work diligently and deliberately to create the most accessible, fun, and judgement-free environment for our students and staff – a yoga space for everyone to come-as-they-are to experience their practice and growth at their own pace and in their own way.
The “lack of strict rules” when it comes to attire, conduct, pre-requisites, etc is deliberate. We in no way want to be the “yoga police.” Our goal is to remove as many obstacles as possible from your yoga experience, while simultaneously providing the most positive environment for all of our yogis.
With that in mind, a gentle reminder of yoga etiquette is always a good idea, even for the most conscientious of us.
Noise
People that walk into a Funky Buddha space for the first time often comment on the noise – and in a positive way. There is always pre-class music, chatter, and laughter. Cultivation of this environment is deliberate. We feel strongly that yoga holds potential for both internal growth and external growth, in the form of community and relationship building. We want the Funky Buddha to be a place where long term relationships are cultivated and where newcomers feel welcome and included.
- Conversations: That being said, the most appropriate time to socialize with your fellow yogis is before and after class. Once class begins, each student is engaged in the uniquely therapeutic solitary-community dynamic of a Funky Buddha yoga class (just you and your mat, but with the positive energy and breath of all the yogis in the room surrounding you). As a consideration to the yogis around you, please keep side conversations to a minimum during class.
- Cell Phones: There is no denying that we live in a fully digital age, and we embrace it! Yes! Tag us in your Instagram posts and check in on Facebook!! Yes! Yes! But please silence your cell phones during class and refrain from taking photos once class has started, unless something super awesome is happening – and then be sneaky. 🙂
Savasana ?
We love Savasana, and not just because it is awesome and relaxing, but because it is GOOD FOR YOU – good for your body – good for your mind. Don’t skip Savasana! It is one of the most important parts of your practice. For real.
But we realize that life and schedules happen – and if you have the choice between doing some yoga or no yoga, always pick SOME. If you do have to leave class early, please pick a spot that has easy access to the door, and be mindful of the timing of your departure. In almost every single Power Class there is a “legs up the wall” or “twist” that directly precedes Savasana – really any time between “pigeons/hips” and the final “supine twist” is an appropriate time to leave class early. In Slow Flow classes there is an extended 10 minute meditation/Savasana section at the end. Because of the extended nature of this portion of class early departures can be especially disruptive. Again, any time between “pigeons” and the cue to meditative seat is a considerate place to leave class early.
Sweat ?
We love sweat, and you come here to sweat, and some of us sweat more than others. Please be considerate of those around you at the end of class. Often times yoga (and life) gets a little messy, which is totally understandable and even encouraged. If this happens to you, a quick wipe of your area with your towel is much appreciated. The teachers always go around and clean the floor thoroughly after every class, but sometimes they can’t get to the puddles fast enough to prevent an unpleasant or even dangerous puddle from being tracked through by an exiting yogi.
Physical Awareness ?
We encourage you to use your yoga practice to push your boundaries – physically, mentally, spiritually. Growth through practice requires constant gentle examination and pushing of our boundaries. Adapt your practice, make it your own, challenge yourself physically – but be mindful of the people around you when you are experimenting. Nothing brings a neighboring yogi out of their flow-state faster than an accidental sweaty foot in the face. Please try all the things! Go for it. Try the headstand. Try the arm balance. Just position yourself strategically in the room, ask for help (we want you to be safe too!), and pay attention to those around you. Headstand on, you crazy yogis.
Embarrassing Questions You are Afraid to Ask
Let’s take a quick minute to talk about a couple of the things that can happen in yoga, but people are a little bit embarrassed to ask about…
- Bodily Functions: If you have the yoga-induced-anxiety of random bodily functions, you are not alone. There are whole memes dedicated to the subject. Yes it happens. Yes everyone worries about it. Yes we all understand. Now go back to focusing on your breathing.
- See Through Yoga Pants: Giving all of your yoga pants a little “down-dog” test is never a bad idea. How do you know your friend is a yogi? If they randomly bend over in front of you and ask you to look at their butt (to make sure that you can’t see through their pants).
- Bathroom Breaks & Runny Noses: Sometimes when you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go. That first forward fold will tell you the truth about whether you should have gone to the restroom before class. If you have to go, go. But do so quietly and with as little disruption as possible (…and try not to leave in the middle of Savasana. See section above). Runny nose? There are boxes of Kleenex in every studio. Please do not drown on your own snot. It is okay to leave your mat to blow your nose. Everyone understands.
And there you have it, Yoga Etiquette for a Modern World. Keep on YOGA-ing ON awesome yogis! Have fun, enjoy your practice, and revel in the amazing solitary social experience that is yoga—your own little mat-sized piece of heaven surrounded by the support of your Funky Buddha Yoga Community.
