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Let the instructor know you’re new, and mention any injuries, questions or concerns you might have.
Wait until after meditation, then enter as quietly as possible and sit near the door.
“Women, don’t wear tops that are too loose,” says Burkhart.
“You might show off more than you anticipated when in Downward Dog.”
Likewise, loose or too-short shorts can beuber-revealing during inversions and wide-legged poses.
Also: Notice which direction students are putting their mats, and line yours up with them.
And be sure to silence your cell phone and keep it out of sight during class.
“It’s definitely one of my biggest pet peeves.”
“It’s very distracting and disrespectful to the teacher and other students,” says Burkhart.
Along the same lines: Don’t drown out the rest of the class during breathing or chanting exercises.
“I had an itch on my nose, so I moved my hand to scratch it.
Now she encourages students to close their eyes during parts of their practice.
(You don’t have to apologize or thank her for the tip, either, FYI.)
Read class descriptions ahead of time, and don’t jump into advanced levels of unfamiliar styles.
And, if you find yourself unable to keep up, give a shot to relax.
