Guidelines to Enhance your YOGA Experience

• Practice Regularly - Take as many classes as your schedule allows, preferably every day so the practice becomes part of your life.


• Self Practice - If you are unable to attend class, try practicing at home with a video or audio tape, or practice a sequence of poses from your memory.


• Meditation - Develop a regular meditation practice which will aid in grounding you in the fundamentals of Yoga.
  • Recommended reading: Meditation Made Easy by Lorin Roche, Ph.D.
• Study - Read books on Yoga. A suggested reading list is available on request. Some books are available at the Prana Yoga Store.


• Lifestyle - Eat lightly and moderately, become aware of what you really need. A vegetarian diet is recommended if you are on a spiritual path. Eliminate stimulants from your diet including coffee. Avoid eating or drinking stimulants such as coffee several hours before class.


• Time - Be on time for all classes. If you have to come late, do it quietly, unravel your mat outside and find your place respecting your fellow students. Stay until the end of class until after 'Namaste.' Do not leave when the class is in meditation or final relaxation (savasana). Enjoy the few moments of stillness in savasana. If you think you don't have the time for the resting pose, you should take a serious look at your life.


• Yoga Props - You know best which props you need. If you are in doubt, ask the teacher. Get the props you need before class so you can focus on the poses. Blocks and straps are helpful in progressing in your practice.


• Competition - We live in very competitive world. Yoga is your opportunity to create a sanctuary of non-competitiveness. It's all about you being in the moment. Let go of how far you were able to go yesterday or what somebody else is able to do. Explore your limits by using your breath and staying in tune with yourself. Be kind and loving to yourself and to who you are in this moment.


• Environment - The studio is kept warm for the purpose of helping your body to stay warm, aiding you in the asana practice and allowing you to go deeper and further without the risk of injury. Sweating helps detoxify the body and eliminates fluids from your joints to make them more agile. Please drink only small amounts or no water during class, but hydrate yourself well before and after class.


• Cleanliness - If possible bath or shower prior to practice. Please do not wear perfume or any scent. What may smell appealing to you might be offensive to others.


• Shoes - NO shoes in the practice area. Please remove your shoes and leave them in the shelve by the door.


• Peace and Quiet - In order to create and maintain a peaceful environment, please leave your cell phone and pager in the car and observe silence or speak softly after you enter the studio.

Suspend all Judgments about your Body