- Treat everyone around you with respect.


- No talking: let others have their experience


- Don’t get on others peoples mat


- There is only One teacher in the room


- In Ashtanga, you are expected to practice 5-6 days a week in the same practice and sequence that was given to you in order to experience results and to prevent injury


- Teach what I teach you


- We teach Ashtanga in its correct sequence and form, we do not teach any other types of yoga.

Students are asked to observe the Noble Silence upon entering class. Sacred spaces are created by those with shared intentions. A purpose of yoga is that of calming the fluctuations of the mind. All can help in doing this by remaining silent throughout class and upon entering and exiting the room. Idle talk is a hindrance to any spiritual practice. Should you need the attention of the teacher, silently wait and they will find you. They always do.  

“If you are five minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late.”  Please be on time to classes. Mysore classes begin at the stated time. Please arrive early enough to complete your closing and have enough time to gather your things and depart by closing time. For led and guided classes, give yourself enough time to arrive, change, lay out your mat, etc., prior to the beginning of class. Often the door will be closed and shut a few minutes before the class begins as led and guided classes start on time. 

Students are encouraged to be comfortable first and foremost. Planning to sweat, you should wear appropriate clothing for movement that allows your body to breathe and remain comfortable. Most importantly, clothing should be clean and free of scents. While today’s fabrics are miracles of science, bacteria still lingers and can cause foul odors. Please be sure to wash and dry clothing thoroughly between classes. Classes are done with bare feet. No socks and shoes in the studio please. 

Cleanliness is fundamental to an Ashtanga yoga practice. Students are expected to shower BEFORE class. In respecting one’s practice, showering both before and after practice is a traditional way of preparing both your body and mind. It warms the muscles, subtly preparing the body.  Please respect this time honored tradition. Students may be asked to leave if they do not.  


Students should come prepared with their own yoga mats. Mats should be cleaned regularly. Please ensure that your mat is in good condition and not falling apart. One never wants their practice to be distracted by bad mats.

Students are also expected to bring any rugs or towels that may be required for their practice. As with clothing, these should also be washed and dried thoroughly between each use in order to remain clean and scent free. 

You might surprise yourself with how much sweat your body can produce. This can be a shock if you aren’t used to it. Don’t worry about it, sweating is good. There is no need to constantly wipe it away, it will just keep coming back. Do be mindful of your neighbors, and if you tend to sweat a lot, please bring a rug or towel for your mat.


Water is what you drank 24 hours ago. Please avoid bringing water into classes. Proper hydration is part of respecting your practice. Please pay attention to your hydration practices long before class starts and you will find yourself not needing to worry about drinking. Drinking during class is a distraction to a contemplative practice as well as a potential spill hazard.  

Injuries happen. Whether it is slipping on the ice coming to class or a slide tackle in soccer, they happen to the most careful of us. We do our best in Ashtanga to move in the most mindful and informed way possible to avoid injury as well as keep ourselves healthy to prevent future damage. Should you find yourself with an injury of any sort that affects your practice, please let your teacher know before class. Ashtanga is a beautifully variable practice that can be adjusted to suit nearly any challenge. We will do our best to adjust your practice in such a way that prevents any further aggravation of the condition while allowing your yoga to flow freely.

Being sore is a normal part of the process. It is not a reason to not come to practice. The more consistently you practice, the more it will help with the soreness.

Unless you have a fever, being sick is not a reason to not come to practice. However please be mindful of others, and consider practicing at home if you are contagious. Practicing when you are sick can help you fight it off faster.

Please turn off cell phones before entering the yoga room. Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in the room. Those taking phones in the room will be asked to leave.  

Audio/video recording of any kind is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of the teacher.

Students are always welcome to take handwritten notes during classes, lectures, and workshops. Just make sure it does not interrupt your practice or your fellow students.  

Please make your payments promptly. Please don’t make the teacher have to ask you for payments. Students with outstanding accounts of any kind will not be permitted to take classes.

Some descriptions by courtesy of Yoga Hana