Scurrying into a class after it’s begun is embarrassing, and it’s distracting for your fellow yogis. Be sure to arrive 5 – 10 minutes before class. Give yourself the minutes you need to check in, put away your items, roll out your mat, and gather any props you’ll need for class.

Got a few extra minutes before class begins? Sit quietly and focus on your breath or do a few gentle stretches to warm up.

Yoga is practiced with bare feet, place shoes and belongings in a cubby. By removing your shoes, you’re not only helping with studio cleanliness, but you’re respecting a space that’s revered and cherished by others.

This is not the space for showing off your superhuman strength or your competitive edge. Remember, you’re here for yourself—not anyone else.

Beyond the competition and showing off, mind your mood. Be gentle and respectful in your communication. Like the saying says, everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind and respect others.

If you’re sore, injured or just don’t feel like being touched, tell your teacher before class begins

Before stepping onto your mat, honor the yoga practice of Saucha, the first facet of the Niyamas in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, which translates at “Cleanliness.”

First, please bathe, brush your teeth, wash your hair, and use a clean mat.

Second, mind heavy perfumes, oils, and colognes, as strong scents travel easily during class.

As B.K.S. Iyengar explains in Light on the Yoga Sutras, “When the body is cleansed, the mind purified, and senses controlled, joyful awareness needed to realize the inner self, also comes.”

By bringing your phone to class (even on silent!), you’re distracting yourself and those around you. Expecting an important call or a do-or-die text? Consider skipping class altogether, and returning when you can fully focus.

Let your teacher know before class, position yourself close to the door, and be sure to leave before savasana begins. When it’s time to leave, pack up and scoot out as quietly as you can.

Bolsters, blankets, blocks, straps — if you’re borrowing the studio’s props, be sure to return them to their rightful place upon leaving. If you’re borrowing one of the studio’s mats, be sure to wipe it down with an antibacterial wipe before rolling it up and putting it back in the bin. Leaving your space as clean as you found it is respectful to the studio and students in later classes.