Simple Suggestions for Smoother Sessions
Yoga Do's & Don'ts
DON'T - eat for 2-3 hours before class. Practising yoga on a full stomach might cause cramps, nausea, or vomiting, especially during twists, deep forward bends, and inversions. Digesting food also takes up energy and can make you too lethargic to focus on practice. If you must eat, please consider a small snack or juice to get you through practice.
DON'T - push it. Instead of comparing your posture to others or your previous practices, do what you can today without straining or injuring yourself. You'll go farther faster if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you were or where you think you should be.
DO - come to class well hydrated. One of yoga’s many benefits is the flushing out of toxins, proper hydration helps this process.
DO - drink only enough water during practice to wet the tongue and not fill the belly.
DO - listen to your body, make adjustments to each posture or rest as needed throughout practice.
DO - let Ms. Dominanda know about injuries or conditions that might affect your practice. If you are injured or tired, skip postures you can't or shouldn't do, or try a modified version.
DO - create an intention. To help you focus, you might find it helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. This might be to become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate, or healthier, stronger, and more skilful. Or it might be for the benefit of a friend, a cause—or even yourself.
DO - take time afterwards to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the postures you practised, and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.
DON'T - push it. Instead of comparing your posture to others or your previous practices, do what you can today without straining or injuring yourself. You'll go farther faster if you take a loving attitude toward yourself and work from where you are, not from where you were or where you think you should be.
DO - come to class well hydrated. One of yoga’s many benefits is the flushing out of toxins, proper hydration helps this process.
DO - drink only enough water during practice to wet the tongue and not fill the belly.
DO - listen to your body, make adjustments to each posture or rest as needed throughout practice.
DO - let Ms. Dominanda know about injuries or conditions that might affect your practice. If you are injured or tired, skip postures you can't or shouldn't do, or try a modified version.
DO - create an intention. To help you focus, you might find it helpful to dedicate your practice to a certain intention. This might be to become more aware and understanding, more loving and compassionate, or healthier, stronger, and more skilful. Or it might be for the benefit of a friend, a cause—or even yourself.
DO - take time afterwards to think about what you did in class, so you can retain what you learned. Review the postures you practised, and note any instructions that particularly made sense. Even if you remember just one thing from each class, you'll soon have a lot of information that can deepen your own personal practice.
Be On Time
Not early, not late - even by five minutes. At times we are very busy and try to schedule you in such a way that you won't encounter other students on the doorstep or in the waiting room. You arriving either early or late can completely foil our attempts at providing a private, discreet experience for you as well as our other students.
Be Articulate
Devote some time and mental energy to figuring out exactly what you want to do or explore during your yoga practice. We strive to provide you with the best and most fulfilling experience possible, which is made infinitely easier when you can explain what you have in mind. If you find it difficult to verbally express yourself a letter or written communication is fine as well.
Coorperate
The questions you are asked are only designed to obtain the information that we deem necessary for providing you with the best customized yoga practice possible. When it comes to getting you here - we give many people directions to our studio every day. Please, just write down and follow the directions you are given and you will have no problem finding us.
Be Clean
Please be mindful of your personal hygiene. Arrive for your session recently bathed and free of any scent-producing substances on your body (aftershave, perfume, lotion, hair products, etc.). If you are coming directly from an activity that would make an opportunity to bathe desirable (for example: if you work in a physically strenuous field) you are welcome to use our shower prior to your session.
Have a Mint!
Or, make both us and your dentist happy: brush, floss and gargle. Verbal communication will not only be more pleasant, but these simple activities are statistically proven to add years to your life!
Always Call
Let us know if you cannot make your scheduled yoga practice. We hold your session time for you and do not appreciate no-shows any more than would your doctor, therapist or hair stylist.
Be Consistent
In your plans for your sessions with us. Please don't ask for one set of activities when you call to make your appointment and ask for a drastically different set of activities when you arrive for your session. We do our best to be ready for you when you arrive for practice and a significant change in plans makes that much more difficult.
Safeword
Use when you need to. We will feel more comfortable exploring new things with you if we trust you to inform us when something is not working. We need feedback in order to give you the best experience possible, and no quality mistress will be upset at you for informing her of your limits.