CAUTIONS FOR YOGA PRACTICE 

Many of us have at least one of these conditions (including yoga teachers!). All of these cautions can be addressed by professional and experienced yoga teachers such as those at Yoga Road so that you can safely practise yoga despite the niggles.  However for your safety please advise your yoga teacher if any of the following conditions relate to you or any condition you think may be affected by yoga practice. This information is kept strictly confidential.

  • Allergies
  • Aneurism, history of stroke
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis or joint soreness
  • Asthma
  • Chronic or acute pain
  • Cramps
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive issues eg diverticulitis
  • Dizziness, or balance/unsteadiness issues
  • Endometriosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma, or any other eye condition
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Heart disease or condition
  • Hiatus hernia
  • High or low blood pressure…medicated?
  • Hyper-mobile (“double-jointed”)joints
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms
  • Muscular problems
  • Neck, back, knee or any joint problems
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pelvic Floor Weakness
  • Pregnancy
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal injury/condition
  • Thyroid condition
  • Ulcer
  • Varicose veins

YOGA GUIDELINES AND ETIQUETTE

If you haven’t attended a yoga class before, you will find that the following guidelines tend to apply to all good yoga classes.

  • Many yoga positions and a full stomach aren’t happy partners. Eat your meal 2 hours prior to class, or snack on a small piece of fruit, nuts or cheese before class.
  • Shoes are left outside the room where the practice occurs. Yoga is performed barefoot, or in socks with grip. Attention to personal hygiene, especially foot cleanliness, displays welcome respect for others in the class.
  • Please don’t wear perfume, perfumed lotions or essential oils to class as this can affect classmates with allergies.
  • Please arrive at least 5 mins early, so class can begin on time. The class always begins with a quiet “settling” time, so late students should wait to set up once the active part of the class commences.
  • Mobile phones are switched to flight mode, not just to “silent”. If there are special circumstances where it needs to be on, please inform the teacher and position yourself near the exit.
  • Personal items such as handbags, keys, and sunglasses are left together on the table near the entrance, not near your mat or where practice occurs.
  • Many yoga teachers and students consider it disrespectful and disruptive for students to habitually “skip” the final relaxation at the end of class. Please plan to have time for your full class. If it is imperative to leave early, notify the teacher and chose a position near the door. That final relaxation is an integral part of your practice, so always take at least a minute in semi-supine before leaving.
  • Avoid inversions if you have a headache, toothache, unmedicated high blood pressure, glaucoma or during menstruation– let your teacher know and ask about alternatives.
  • It is very important to keep your teacher informed about changes in health or recent injuries BEFORE the class begins. Let the teacher know if you are on painkillers (e.g. Paracetamol) before class as this will mask feelings of stretch, which could possibly lead to injury. If you are physically unwell, or have a potentially contagious illness, do not come to class. The best yoga for you is rest!
  • If you experience pain, STOP and let the teacher know. If you wish to experience a pose more deeply, or something doesn’t feel right, let the teacher know. Modifications and adjustments are our specialty.
  • Yoga is a spiritual practice which stretches the body, calms the mind and soothes the spirit. Competition with others or even with oneself dulls many of the benefits of yoga – relax and enjoy your practice!

Please feel free to call or email Sue if you have any questions or concerns relating to yoga or classes.