What to do with my yoga mat in class?

This is part two of a four part series on Yoga etiquette.

The previous article talked about what to do before you went to yoga class.   Some of the items covered in the previous article were:

• Proper clothing
• Be clean
• No scents
• Do not eat
• No cell phones or pagers
• .  .  .

Yoga etiquette revolves around the concept of respect.

• Respect for yourself
• Respect for the other students
• Respect for the teacher

This article is about your yoga mat, your props and your space on the floor.

You have followed all of the guidance from the previous article and now it is time to enter the practice space and get setup for class.

What to do with my Yoga mat

Respect other people’s space

When selecting a spot to place your mat, it is okay to be friendly and sit near somebody, but do not sit on top of them. Make sure you have enough room on both sides of you and in the front and the back of you, because you may need to turn your mat more than once during class.

Placing your mat in the practice space with enough room for you to move comfortably into a yoga pose should also leave enough room for others. Work with the other students in the classroom to maximize both your personal yoga space while still making enough room for everyone else.

Foster a positive yoga community by taking this leadership role.

Setup the props you need

If you normally use props during your practice be sure to collect them from the storage area or get your own setup next to your mat. Do not tale blocks, straps and other props from the person next to you.

You should have your props setup before the start of class.  It can be quite disruptive to suddenly run to the storage area to get a prop while the class is going on.

Mats are not sheets

You should not stand there and fling your mat out in the air like you were making a bed and spreading a sheet.  This can causes several problems.

• The mat can make quite a noise when it slams against the floor.
• The breeze created by the mat can disturb the other students. It can cause a cooling breeze or blow things around the room.
• If the mat is not clean and has an odor it will be spread around the room.

Roll your mat out on the floor rather than flinging like a sheet.  This will cause the least amount of disruption for the people around you.

Do not move someone else’s mat

“Saving a spot” on the studio floor by leaving a mat there is acceptable at some studios but  not at others. The general rule is not to touch someone else’s mat if they got to the spot before you. They may have taken the previous class and have stepped out for a moment. Simply find another open spot.

Bring Your Own Mat

While some studios supply extra mats, it is best to use your own. It is more sanitary to use your own mat, rather than a shared mat.  Yoga mats are available in various levels of quality and durability.  Having your own mat will also permit your start developing your own practice at home.

Leaving early

If for some reason you should have to leave early you should advise the teacher and setup your mat near the entrance.  This way when it is time for you to leave you can quietly roll up your mat, clear your space and leave with the least amount of disruption. Most teachers will understand that from time to time a person may have to leave class early and will understand.

You should not make a habit of leaving class early.  This is disrespectful and disruptive to the teacher and the rest of the class.

If you have to leave early it should be very near the end of the class rather than in the middle.  If you are leaving half way through the class can be quiet disruptive and could leave your body in an unsettled state. Rather than leaving half way through it would be better to take a class at a different time.

Setup near the teacher

Find a place in the practice space where you will have the best view of the teacher.  Depending on your ability level you may want to be closer to the teacher so that you can see the demonstrations that the teacher is doing without having to look around other people.

Next Time

The next article will talk about the etiquette to follow during the class.