Selecting a yoga studio can be a daunting task, especially if you are new to yoga and unsure what aspects of a studio environment will make a difference in your practice.
There are five areas that you should consider when selecting a yoga studio to attend.
Location, Location, Location
Picking a new yoga studio to attend is similar to buying a new home. Where is it located? What is near by? Is it in a safe neighbourhood? Here are some things to consider about the location of your new yoga studio.
- Is the yoga studio near by? How far do you have to drive or walk to get to the yoga studio. You should be looking for a studio that is within about a ten minute drive from your home or work, depending on when you will be going to the studio. A longer drive then that and it will start to become a challenge over time.
- Is the yoga studio in a safe neighbourhood? Check out the neighbourhood around the studio. Is the neighbour well maintained. Are there lots of businesses that are open and active. Or is the studio located in a poorly lit, rundown area of town. You need to feel safe going to the studio. If you are worried about walking from your car or the bus to the studio then this is not a good place to be.
- Is the yoga studio in a safe building? Is the building well maintained? Do you feel safe in the building? The building that the studio is in should be inviting and make you want to go in.
- Is there lots of parking nearby? There should be lots of parking either next to the building or nearby. A well lit parking lot either behind the building or in front would be ideal. Parking on the street near the studio would be a good second choice. Parking a couple blocks away and the location is starting to become less desirable.
The Practice Space
Once you have checked out the location and are satisfied that the studio is in a safe area and a safe building it is time to check out the studio itself.
- Natural lighting. Most people find that natural lighting is more relaxing and calming than artifical lighting. Do the practice spaces have lots of natural light.
- Heating & Air conditioning. The room needs to be a comfortable temperature for you to practice in. If the room is chilly you could injure yourself and if the room is too hot you could get over heated and be struggling to complete your practice.
- Private. If the studio is located on the ground floor there could be more casual traffic walking in off the street. This could be disturbing to your practice. A second floor location is ideal.
- Fung Shui design. The studio should be well designed, and welcoming. When you walk into the practice space you should feel like you have come home and that this is your favourite room in the whole house.
- Neat and clean. Once inside, take time to look around and note if the studio is clean and well-maintained. Are props set up for easy access or tossed about the room from previous classes? Check the flooring. Remember your mat is going to be there! Ask the policy on cleaning props and borrowed mats. Check the ceiling –sounds silly until you are lying on your mat and looking up at mold growing on the tiles above your head. In general, do you feel that things are being kept up to the
standards you have at home and do you feel safe and comfortable practicing there? - Multiple practice spaces. The more practice spaces there are at the studio then the more classes there will be to pick from during the pick times of the day.
- Atmosphere. Do you feel comfortable in the practice space? Are the teachers and students welcoming? Are they glad to see you? Do they go out of their way to make you feel at home?
- Locker rooms and showers. Being able to change out of your sweaty clothes and shower could be a real plus, especially if you have a long drive ahead of you on a cold and windy night.
The Classes
So far you have checked out the location and found it to your liking. You have checked out the studio and its okay as well. Now what about the classes. Here are some things to consider.
- Are there multiple styles of yoga to pick from? You may be focusing on a particular style of yoga and be practicing that style most of the time. There will be times when you and your body want either a more challenging or gentler and more medative style. Does the studio provide a variety of styles of yoga?
- Are the teachers experienced? Have the teachers completed an appropriate certification course and do they continue to attend workshops that enhance their skills? Connection with a yoga instructor can drive one’s practice. You should be aware of the instructor’s vision for class: is it to give students a good workout through traditional yoga postures, or is the instructor more focused on making students comfortable where they are and free to alter the class to fit individual needs?
- Frequency of classes. Consider whether you hope to practice daily, weekly, or occasionally, and also how flexible your schedule is. If the studio’s Monday morning class is the only one you can make, but you’ll go every week, that is satisfactory. If you’re off work at a different time every evening, it might be better to find a studio with a full schedule of classes, so if you miss one, you won’t have surrendered your chance to practice for the day.
The Finances
Everything has been up until now. The location is great, The studio is nice and comfortable and the classes are ideal. The next thing to consider is paying for the classes.
- Multiple payment options. How many different ways can you pay for the classes. Most studios should accept credit, debit and cash. An added bonus is being able to pay by cheque. For those nights that you have left your wallet at home being able to take the class and pay the next time you come (IOU) would be an absolute dream. So what payment options are available.
- Pass Card system. Can you buy one class? Can you buy a block of classes? Are the block of classes for a particular night and time or are they for any class on any night? Life happens and you may have to miss a class. If you miss the class have you lost the class that you purchased or is it still available for use the next time you come to the studio?
- Refunds. All of a sudden you are called away from the studio, you are moving. Can you get a refund for your unused classes?
You can probably think of a few more things to include in the lists above. If you do let me know and I will write another article with those additional items.
The most important thing to consider when you pick a yoga studio to attend is how do you feel? Trust your gut. Chances are, you will encounter really lovely instructors at studios. For the most part, owners do their best to provide safe, healthy
environments for their students. Remember, this is YOUR practice. Check out the yoga studios in your area and use the points above to help you determine if this is a place where you would like to practice your yoga.
