Etiquette is an accepted social behavior in a particular setting; it defines the proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or occasion. Etiquette is not a loud and explicit rule; it is soft and subtle and yet always carries you further when you observe appropriate etiquette in the right setting. Master the etiquette of the occasion and you will immediately draw favorable attention of the crowd. Yoga, which everyone can do, is no exception. A tradition as ancient and beautiful as yoga comes with a certain level of implied etiquette and it is the sincere hope of any devoted yoga practitioner to see all his or her fellow yoginis observe the same unwritten proprieties.
In all my posts, I ask myself who is my primary audience here? Surprisingly, the best answer came out: Everyone! Why you ask? See my logic below:
Love and practice yoga regularly? You either know the etiquette by heart, may see some new ones, may disagree and challenge me (always feel free!) or may wish to pass it on to friends.
New to yoga or thinking about starting yoga? Etiquette is at the heart of a yoga practice and best to know this earlier than later to gain respect of your fellow yoginis and teachers.
Never done yoga, have no intention, and “never will“? What?!!! Is it possible anyone falls here except my own husband (gasp!)? Ok, ok, just kidding! Read then my dear readers because these etiquette tips apply to life and you never know when the yoga bug will get you!
Most of us have good intention most of the time but it is also easy to shove etiquette under the rug for the sake of getting something done quickly and easily in this mad rush in which we live our lives. Resist the temptation! Yoga etiquette may not be important to you but observing etiquette in general should be when you engage in a particular activity. Imagine for instance that you find another social setting to be of deep interest to you, surely then respecting that social setting’s etiquette is all you would ask of your fellow friends.
With that beautiful mindset of learning and respecting the etiquette and proprieties of the occasion, indulge me please in these 14 Yoga Etiquette Tips which may initially make me appear as a yoga drill sergeant! Far from it, I assure you I have been guilty of some of these myself and they only stem from the desire to enhance etiquette not just in yoga but in all aspects of our lifestyle:
1 ~Be Punctual to Every Class
Punctuality is the same advice I gave in my 36 lessons to lasting friendship and the same in any communication and business meeting. Be not only on time to your yoga class, be early. Make it a habit to arrive early. Nothing disrupts a local class mood like the late comer! When it comes to being on time, you are either on time or you aren’t. Everything else is an excuse. Emergencies aside, rest assured that the punctual people do not charter planes to get from place to place so please never blame the traffic! Alas, if you must be late (which I sincerely hope you can alter!), do not let it be to a wedding, a funeral or a yoga class. Any yoga class. Get into a habit of leaving 5 to 10 minutes in advance. Let 10 o’clock mean 5 to 10 o’clock, not 5 after! Experience a new perspective by holding yourself accountable and by respecting everyone for never arriving after class has started.
2 ~ Mind your Personal Hygiene
Remember yoga class is often a very intimate setting and you may practice yoga closer to your fellow yoginis than you prefer due to lack of space or a crowded room. Please mind your personal hygiene. This one should be implied and I would let it go if I had never observed otherwise!! Use Deodorant. Use toothpaste or mouthwash. Brush your hair. Wear clean clothes. Bring a clean mat and clean towel in. These are the minimum requirements of appearing in public in general. Good personal hygiene shows respect to our own self and body first and foremost so it should never be compromised but especially not when others may be subject to your poor hygiene.
3 ~ Minimize Conversation
I must admit that Vickie’s yoga class is a pure social setting before class starts. It is the exceptional environment to every other yoga class I have attended and I am accustomed to engaging in some conversation. However, almost every other yoga class in my 8 year experience expects that you be quiet and focus inward as you arrive and set-up. The few minutes before class are ideal for a short meditation and for setting an intention so refraining from chit-chat is not just good etiquette but also really beneficial for your state of mind.
4 ~ Turn off your Electronics
Just imaging you are taking off for a flight. You really, really do not want to be the one who forgot this effortless necessity. Simply turn off your phones and pagers before class. Exit the world of constant communication which we all love and step into your mat fully liberated. Remember that others have done the same and interrupting the yoga zone with a ringtone (any ringtone!) is rather unforgiving, regardless of the calm reaction you may receive.
5 ~ Wear Decent Yoga Clothing
By decent, I really mean non-revealing. I am tempted to believe this happens more frequently in a hot Bikram yoga room but alas, the rest of us are not totally free of the incident or the insult so please wear clothing that will not reveal your private parts in full (or partial) glory to your fellow yogini when you are upside down or in some twisted pretzel or drenched in perspiration (think white without a sports bra or underwear!). Attracting this type of attention in yoga is most definitely frowned upon, no matter how attractive (or handsome) you may be!
6 ~ Remove Shoes Outside
Yoga classes are usually on a hardwood or parquet floor and every one does yoga with bare feet. That means one thing: No shoes inside the studio! I do not even allow shoes inside my house so taking shoes off at the door is a habit but one that you should always remember. Keeping the floors clean (at least from shoe goo if not from sweat!) is important to everyone including yourself. All studios have a place to “park” shoes or you can just follow the (expert!) crowd.
7 ~ Go Easy on Perfume and Cologne
First please note this does NOT mean skipping your deodorant. It means going easy on perfumes and colognes. You breathe heavy and deep breaths in yoga and are in proximity of others. These lovely smells, which are purely subjective, will come across very strongly during the session. Observe good general hygiene but save the perfume for your post-yoga after-shower celebration!
8 ~ Enter and Settle down Quietly
I am not of a quiet nature. I love noise and conversation and commotion in general but I leave that behind in a yoga class. When you enter, settle down quietly. Do not, please I beg of you, slam your mat down on the floor to announce your presence and jolt everyone meditating or relaxing. Do not fuss and move about a hundred times. Settle down quickly, greet your friends and relax until class starts.
9 ~ Bring well-behaved Children only
Yoga is hard for children. I do admit it is wonderful for them and a nice activity to do with their parents who are so good to encourage them at such an early age. I imagine every parent considers they have the most well-behaved child (and to my surprise, many do so bravissimo to you fabulous parents) and I risk this advice going unnoticed by all but I shall say it anyway. As lovely as your children may be, think about the length of the yoga class, their level of focus and attention, and whether it is realistic to expect your child to make it through the entire class. If you bring your children, please ask them not to talk, whisper, leave and enter class a dozen times, enter into discussions or stop their yoga to do other things.
10 ~ Respect the Teacher
Respecting your yoga teacher comes in many forms. The easiest one is following the poses or a modified version of them. I would not say this if I had not witnessed it many times. Do not do your own series in the middle of a guided class if you are bored or uninterested in the current pose. Finish the class and choose another teacher but during the class, respect the teacher enough to follow instructions and do so with an open mind. Believe me, I wanted so much to walk right out of John Friend’s sadly over-hyped workshops but out of respect for the man, I stayed with the oath that he shall never see me again in his class in the future!
11 ~ Observe silence during Savasana
This is one where you will know and love when you have made friends with your yoga but it will take time. Until then, consider it a dedication to the finish of practice. Practice silence during savasana and however tempted you may be to leave and skip out, resist it. This is where your practice assimilates and the results are infused with a repose so well-deserving and so necessary. This last pose seals your practice with good omen and prepares you for the next phase. If you must (really must!) leave before the end, leave before people settle into savasana and be as quiet as a church mouse!
12 ~Always Thank the teacher
I am guilty of over-thanking everyone who brings joy to my life. Such a quick, free and easy way to express gratitude. What surprises me then is how many seem to live without it. Make sure to thank your teacher before you leave. Always go even out of your way, find him or her, tap them on the shoulder, interrupt a conversation just to say thank you! Even when you know you are never returning to this instructor or the studio, take the time to thank them. Save other feedback for later if you must. Let the thank you be the last thing you do before you leave class.
13 ~ Clean your Immediate Area
If you borrowed a mat from the studio, wipe it down. You may or may not need to put it away depending on their policy. If you created a puddle of sweat, wipe it with your towel. If you used props, put them back. Take all your stuff with you. It takes all of 57 seconds at most but it shows you respect others who will come to use the space and that you have good manners and can be trusted! Practicing cleanliness in public will always leave the best impression about you with others. What a thing to savor at the end of a yoga class!
14 ~ Sign in or Pay without a Reminder
Yoga is not generally free. Remember your payment arrangement without a reminder from the teacher. I am baffled how people would walk into my old studio and set up without thinking twice about paying for the service they come to claim! Few things annoy me more than a teacher walking around with a sign-in sheet announcing half the class have yet to sign in. My dear friends, remember to do this without a reminder. Make it part of your must-do ritual and then forget about it to delve into your practice.
Share your Thoughts
Do you agree to the importance of etiquette and respect for general proprieties in the activities in which we partake? What instances of breach of etiquette do you wish to correct in your community? And of course I would love to hear all thoughts, good and strong(!!), on these tips and if I left any out, please add more tips to this list for us!
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{ 38 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }
Hi Farnoosh. I think practicing etiquette lends to the quality of the experience overall by keeping us in a relaxed state. One area of etiquette I have found to be breached in classes is leaving enough space between participants. I’m a tall person so need lots of room for various poses so when someone places a mat too close to me, it really cramps my style.
Jean, my dear friend, thank you for adding that one. I think it’s a super important one – enough space between you and the next person. Very well noted, thank you!
What is proper etiquette if a person comes in 20 minutes late (no kidding) and comes to the front to be by her parents and places her mat 3 inches (no kidding) in front of mine? I mean, do I interrupt class more and say something? I moved back 2 feet because I had the room, but I felt some anger that I really did not say anything about. Thanks for your help.
Dear Maggie, how good of you to be silent and not say anything. That has happened to me before. First of all, I really don’t think children should be allowed in the yoga class. Second, it is the responsibility of the teacher so if you want to be so kind as to not make a scene, which does disturb others, you go right up to that teacher at the end of class and tell her the situation and see what she says. She should be the one to monitor these things. She should be the one to make sure people either do NOT come in late or enter quietly without disturbing others. And then you can decide how to proceed. If it’s a regular couple and they have a regular spot, move yours far away from them. If a kid comes next to me right before class, I either ask her to move (I do, believe it or not) or else I move my mat. Kids disturb the hell out of me during a yoga class and I don’t pay to be disturbed. Hope this helps!
Farnoosh, it is never to early for children to learn respect and respectful children shouldn’t be painted with the same brush as the typical naughty child of today. I took my two grandboys to class with permission of my instructor and received many compliments for their behavior and ability to perform. The boys were 6 & 8 at the time and had been in Kung Fu for a couple of years and had learned respect there as well as at home. I gave them instruction from my Yogi’s video before attending. I know that they are the exception but I love them and am very proud of them. I wanted to introduce them to Yoga and hope that they will take it up sometime. They loved it, I hope to take them again, my fellow participants keep asking me to bring them.
With my heartfelt respect,
E
Ed, your well-behaved grandchildren would be welcomed next to me to practice too. I don’t like to assume that children will be misbehaving but an adult yoga class is generally not the best environment for a child unless they are well-prepared and the instructor has approved. You have been conscientious and caring about this and certainly have children that understand the meaning of respect. Cultivating yoga in young children is wonderful but if the class is for adults primarily, I would personally prefer to not have children in the class. That is my preference. If I see more well-behaved children, perhaps I can think about it differently. If adults take responsibility of their children’s behavior, perhaps that can change everything but there is still the notion that an adult yoga class is still for adults and just as we don’t go into a young girls’ ballet class and try to learn amongst the 8 year olds, I think that the adult yoga class is best kept for just adults. Having said that, I am truly happy to hear that you have put so much consideration into the comfort of your fellow yogis before taking your grandchildren to class with you.
My goodness, that was fast! Thank you Farnoosh, if you ever come to the Asheville/Hendersonville area of WNC please contact me and I will introduce you to my instructor, you would love her, Emily is the best, she has given new life to my old body as well as my outlook on life.
Happy 4th to you!
E
I reply to comments that are engaging and important and thank you so much for taking my comments and thoughts so well, Ed.
I LOVE Asheville and it’s a hot bed for yoga, I know. I will keep that in mind. How should I contact you thought? And I am delighted for the gift of yoga in your life! I am off to my class, funny enough: 100 minutes of power yoga vinyasa, baron baptiste style. Talk soon and happy 4th to you too, dear Ed.
You may contact me by email or by cell, 828.243.6049, I have nationwide coverage and will return you call if I’m unavailable. For more on my instructor go to: dancingbearyoga.com or ask for Emily who is a Medical Wellness Coordinator at Pardee Rehab&Wellness Center in Hendersonville, 828.698.6774
I know that you would be a Welcome Guest to our sessions! Having worked 38 years over a 17 county WNC area, I would be happy to act as tour guide for you and your husband if you are interested in waterfalls, mountain tops, canoeing, anything outdoors.
E
Dear Ed, I got your very last note with all your contact information and I will keep it in mind for my next Asheville trip. You are so very kind. THANK YOU!!!
Hi Farnoosh,
I am a dedicated yoga practitioner and I agree with what you say. But, sometimes, when a cell phone goes accidentally off, the grumbling and moaning that follow it is way worse than the ring itself and to me it means that the participants are not as absorbed in the practice as they should be. If you are really deep in your practice, you should be able to tune out a stupid
cell phone, without abandoning yourself to mindless bitching, which is not only unflattering to the perpetrator, but also counterproductive for everybody in the economy of an hour-long yoga class.
Thank you.
Well Farnoosh,
I have never been to any yoga class ever in my life but the nearest I have come to Yoga is probably when I meditate occasionally (alone).
The thing I liked about this article is that it actually extends beyond yoga and covers the normal stream of life too.
Ah, I wonder how serene the experience of life will be if everyone had these etiquette. But that sure wouldn’t be the life, as we know it.
Abubakar, we have to change that – and as my hubby (tried to) correct me, he has been to one yoga class but I hardly count it as it was merely stretching….Meditation is even better than yoga – and yes, indeed, these etiquette rules apply everywhere in life. How can we pass a mandate around?
!
Probably we need to create a new World to pass this mandate. Since going to the Moon is too expensive right now, I suggest we make a virtual world on the Net for the time being.
Dear Dear Farnoosh, thank you for your always useful and interesting articles. You said it very well indeed. Thank you for your excellent tips… keep well!
You are so very, very welcome. I had you in mind. I really wonder about how these etiquette rules are observed in Tehran’s yoga classes, Leila so if you care to expand, I love to hear more. Thank you for reading and for sharing your lovely thoughts!
Hi Farnoosh,
Another fantastic post – good reminder for veteran students and important guidelines for beginners – and really, I agree that these tips apply to general life outside of yoga.
I like the point about thanking your teacher – beyond the group “namaste,” it’s nice to give an individual word or silent gesture of appreciation (a smile, a bow of the head) on the way out.
A lot of people forget to communicate with the teacher in general – if you’re going to leave early, let the teacher know ahead of time. If you have an injury or you’re pregnant or it’s your first time at that class, then get to class 10 minutes early and let the teacher know.
Deana,
)!
You request and you shall receive. I think it was a great topic to write about so thank you again! And oh yes, totally forgot to add what you already mentioned – if you are going to leave early, clear it with the teacher. Thank you so much for reminding me. Together, we will have a complete list to print and pass around (or email, for sake of saving paper!
Hi Farnoosh,
As a yoga newbie, thank you for the list. As you say most seem applicable to etiquette in all parts of life. By the numbers I had a few more thoughts. On 13, I’ve been a little lax on the sweat clean up (gross) – now I’ll be on that. On 9, after the second interruption the etiquette would be to leave the class. On 10, I agree fully but also know I must do what feels right for me. Sometimes the urge to do more and keep up with the teacher and class has to be fully contained to make it right and safe for me (think many of the twisty leaning forward on one leg kind of things).
I think your list would be a great sign-up handout, at yoga studios around the world.
Way to go!
Have Fun,
Jim
Hi Jim,
Well, glad to hear that’ll be changing!! And as far as keeping up with the teacher, think of it this way – if you feel sensation and you are breathing constantly – no holding of breath – then you are fine to push maybe further but if you feel pain, dull or sharp, stop, reposition and try again. Do not push past pain (as I think they say in Bikram which I always find rather odd and with which I boldly disagree!).
I love yoga newbies, I envy what lays ahead in your journey for you – so much fun! And I love your commentary on most of my points. So you are the one that leaves the puddle ha?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jim!
Aha! Certain mat-scooting questions I’ve had for months have been answered here. This leaves the “Save the last space for a possible late-comer” vs. “Spread out as much as possible” dilemma, but that’s life.
Rebekah, you are very cute – I am glad I answered your question – I know your yoga studio and it gets packed, completely packed, so you have a bit of challenge. As far as your dilemma, I don’t know – because if they don’t show up, you are way too close to your neighbor. In fact, I think the spaces might even be marked in that studio. Enjoy your yoga practice and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
An excellent reminder for us all. The thoughtfulness, caring, and mindfulness that etiquette involves raises us up as humans, as long as it’s not a matter of rigidity.
I’m so glad you mentioned going lightly on the perfumes. 95% of the chemicals contained in perfumes are derived from petrochemicals. A point that I don’t find particularly romantic. On top of that, these scents can trigger unwellness in people with asthma, migraines, chemicals sensitivity, mastocytosis, etc. and can even cause people to go into life-threatening shock. According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, perfumes often contain hormone disrupters and immune-damaging and other harmful chemicals as well.
Anyone who wishes to reduce their use of petrochemicals given the recent tragedies we have witnessed and would also like to contribute to creating a safe environment for others might consider eliminating their use of perfumes and fragranced products (laundry detergents, fabric softeners, personal care items) entirely.
Just a little food for thought! A hug for you.
Dear Sandra,
Thank you for the information about perfumes, I use some ordinary perfumes and some essential oils that are mixed for fragrance with nothing added (Aveda). Thank you for adding more of your knowledge in the topic here for us and for always reading and supporting me here. A hug back at you { } !!
Respect and human kindness is heightened in the yoga room, but it’s amazing how loud some folks can be. I practice with a teacher who is very real and light and laughs a lot. That’s who she is and I love her for it. But it does give her students permission to giggle and chitchat loudly whilst settling in and when it’s 5:45am, I’d rather just listen to the dreams still resonating in my mind. Hard to express disappointment or complain in that environment though. Your advice is wonderful. Maybe I should print and post it, next time I go (haven’t been in a while sorry to say). Always lovely to hear your thoughts, Farnoosh.
Ah how poetic your first sentence is, Katie, I love it….now on to your particular scenario, it sounds just like Vickie’s class but it’s not that early – Hey, feel free to print it and claim it to have descended from the Goddess of Yoga Etiquette….I’ll sign my name as that (as you can see, I never suffer from modesty
!). Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Katie!
Farnoosh,
These are really great tips not only for yoga classes, but also other classes, restaurants, museum, library and other places people hang out.
Actually, some times I see people so loudly talking as if they are the only one around in whole place and it annoys me, specially when there is someone who is sick in tow. Good reminder.
Hey Zengirl, I am glad you see the extension. I so agree with you – the restaurants!!!! The Museums!!!! You are right.
Thank you for sharing those thoughts!
The image of lady in Yoga pose looks so much like you, is that you?
Yes that’s me, Zengirl, during a yoga photo shoot. All the yoga poses and all the photos on the site are mine or of me. I do not use any marketing photos or borrow anyone else’s photos unless clearly stated.
That is so neat! All pictures look so professional and neat! I love taking pictures of people, and things but as a main picture taker in my house, I hardly have my pictures.
You have a new subscriber, me
Zengirl, welcome as my newest subscriber yet! And if you like photos, you are in the right place. I hold myself back from posting even more but I am thinking of always incorporating personal and edited photos to go along with the content…..thank you so much for being here…..and don’t forget to hand the camera over to someone else and pose once in a while!
Hi Farnoosh,
It’s been awhile… how are you? I must say, my favorite tip out of them all would be “wear decent clothing”
I personally think this rule should be applied 24/7–know what I’m sayin’? ha ha..
Well, decent depending on the situation
Cheers!
–Parker
It has been a while. Where have you been?
Um, yes. Decent clothing is nice. I can’t stand guys who walk shirtless into grocery store. It’s not their living room but they seem confused nonetheless.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Parker!
Thank you for these points. I am new to Yoga and want to show proper respect to my teacher who is fabulous and respect for my fellow participants.
She both inspires and challenges me. She has turned my life around. My body and mind are improving bit by bit. Diagnosed with diabetes at 68 and have lost 25 # in two months with 35 more to go so I am about half way there. I credit the nurses in the diabetes clinic and this lady with perhaps saving my life, certainly extending it and helping to bring back meaning to my existence.
Thank you again for you tips!
E
Hello dear Edward,
Welcome to the world of yoga; I am so excited for your journey!
I am so happy you enjoyed all of these tips. People will love you for doing them and you are already beyond thoughtful to come to yoga with this attitude. I wish you much health and I know – I just know – that yoga will bring you so much longevity and awareness for your own body. You are very welcome and I hope to see you again soon. Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for your kind words, I feel that it will be an interesting journey. The years of neglect are ever so slowly melting away…
My pleasure. What a beautiful phrase you end with. Please come back and tell me how you are doing, dear Edward.
{ 2 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }