I am late for a very important date!
Actually coming in late to class does have some advantages. You get to see where everyone else is setup and you can pick a spot next to someone you like and you can also avoid the people that you do not care for. Another benefit is that you do not have to sit and wait for the class to get started. It is already under way when you come in.
Just try doing this for a few classes in a row and you will see how quickly things will go down hill.
When are you late for class
You are late for class when you do not have enough time to get your mat rolled out, your props setup and you do not have any time to sit and meditate before class.
But what happened to make you late for class.
Why are you late
There are many things that can cause you to be late for class:
- There could be a traffic accident or other traffic problem that could slow you down or even stop your progress.
- There could be a family crisis at home that could delay your getting out of the door. It could be a simple as finding your yoga mat or getting your clothes organized.
- Your friend that you are picking up could be late.
What is wrong with coming late to class
Arriving late for class disrupts the other people that are already there. Your arrival and setting up will distract them from what the teacher is saying and it will take them time to get back into the flow of the class.
Arriving late will interrupt the flow of the class. The teacher will be distracted by your entry into the room and they will have to get back into the content and flow of the class as well. They may even have to back up and repeat some material.
Arriving late also means that some people may have to move to make room for you. Once again this is a big interruption.
Arriving late shows a lack of respect for the teacher, and the other students. The teacher has taken time to prepare the class content with a planned flow from the beginning to the end. The students have taken the time to get there before class starts so that they can take in the entire class.
What should you do if you are late
You should confirm with the teacher that it is okay to enter late. Some teachers will refuse, but most are okay with an occasional lateness. Catch their attention before you enter the room to verify that it is okay to come into the room.
You should wait for a change in the program. Do not come in during the quiet time at the beginning of the class. The best time to come into the room is when the class is moving from one segment to the next.
You should setup quietly at the back. Do not make a lot of noise. Find a vacant space at the back and hope that you do not have to ask anyone to move.
If you are more than a few minutes late you should consider going home and take a class at another time.
How to insure that you are always on time
Allow enough time for some unexpected event such as:
- finding your yoga mat, because it is not where you left it.
- unexpectedly heavy traffic
- a potential trip to the toilet before class
- you should allow time to setup your mat and props
Summary
Knowing that you have allowed extra time to get to the yoga studio will help you to start to relax even before you get to yoga class. So when that traffic jam occurs or you can not find your yoga mat right away, you will not be getting stressed about being late.
You will be confident that you will still arrive at the studio with enough time left over to visit with some of your friends before the start of class.
Next Steps
Check with your teacher to find what you should do if you should be late for class at some time in the future.
Glad to see someone else is a stickler for promptness too.