What to expect at Bluestem.
First, some reassurances and insider info:
It’s okay to be a beginner in a group class.
It’s okay to smile, have fun, mess up. 😊
It’s okay to fall out of a pose. Everyone does!
Place your mat wherever you feel comfortable. If you’re a beginner, choosing a spot in the center allows you to see other people when facing the side walls. If balancing is extra-challenging for you, you might choose a spot near a wall. Teachers may ask students to shift a little to make room for others.
Expect class to open and close with stillness, intention and a bit of focused breathing. This is sometimes called “centering” and touches on other limbs of yoga, e.g., breathwork and focused concentration. (Yoga is more than a physical practice.)
Occasionally, teachers start or end a class by chanting “OM”. Om is considered to be the sound of creation, the sound of universal connection. You are welcome to join, but you don’t have to.
Next, some requests (a.k.a “studio etiquette”):
Arrive a few minutes early so you can check in and be settled on your mat when class starts. We lock the door during class, so late students are disappointed students. 😐
Remove your shoes before entering the studio. You can leave them under the benches or on the shoe trays.
Silence all of your noisy devices, even the vibrating ones, and leave them in the entry area. Your belongings will be safe because the door is locked.
Leave your coffee, juice, and energy drinks in the entry area; water is the only consumable allowed in the studio.
Be aware of the energy you bring in the room. Be ready to center yourself when class begins.
Respect each other’s space. This includes not stepping on other yoga mats. 😐
Stay until the end. Our yoga classes close with “Savasana” (corpse pose), a brief time of stillness. Savasana brings your body back to neutral alignment; it gives you some time to reflect, meditate, and/or absorb the benefits of your practice. Leaving class during Savasana disturbs other students. If you’re uncomfortable lying on your back and/or closing your eyes, you can choose any pose that allows you to be still, and you can keep your eyes open.
Put studio props away neatly; it’ll be easy to see where they go.
Follow your teacher’s lead regarding conversation and questions during class. Most classes aren’t “chatty” (occasionally they are), and you can ask questions after class. But we never want you to do something that feels painful or unhealthy. If you feel pain, you might ask the teacher for guidance, or you might simply choose a different pose or movement (perhaps the one you did just before this one) and ask for guidance after class.
Note: Our Functional Flexibility classes are a little different from yoga classes. No chanting Om, no Savasana, a little more chatting. If your friend or your partner is not quite ready to try “yoga”, but you want to get them into the studio or you want to get them stretching and moving, this might be a good choice. 😊 Also, watch for Myofascial Release workshops; they’ll be listed under Special Events and promoted on IG/FB and in our entertaining email newsletters.