Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do yoga if I'm not flexible?
Definitely! Worrying about being too inflexible for yoga is like worrying about being too dirty to take a shower! Starting tight is the ideal way to begin your yoga practice. You’ll limber up with practice. We’ll teach you the safest, fastest, most effective ways to improve your range-of-motion and to feel more comfortable in your body.
What should I wear?
Just wear something comfortable that you can move freely in. Expensive yoga pants aren’t necessary but overly baggy clothes can trip you up. your hair hangs down in your face when you put your head down you might prefer to put your hair up. Yoga is practiced barefoot. (We don’t care if your feet aren’t pretty. Ours aren’t perfectly pedicured either.)
I've never taken a yoga class before. What should I expect?
Most of our classes begin with about five minutes of centering that brings awareness to your breath. Our teachers usually offer some form of inspiration. They might read a quote or share a thought. We make a point of drawing connections between yoga and everyday life (which is that mind body connection people are always talking about).
Will the room be hot?
No. The Well is not a hot yoga studio. (Most hot yoga studios hold the temperature at around 105 degrees or even higher.) Expect the room to be around 75 degrees so that your muscles are comfortably limber and safe. Everyone’s internal thermostat is different. If you’re sensitive to temperature dress in layers.
What should I bring?
You might want a bottle of water. If you have a yoga mat bring it along. If you don’t have a mat just borrow one of ours (please wipe it down after class with the mat cleaner we provide so that it’s nice and clean for the next person). Other than that, just bring an open mind—we’ve got everything else.
Can I do yoga if I have an injury, medical condtion or special circumstance?
Probably. Yoga can be custom tailored to accommodate almost anyone who wants to benefit, but check with your doctor. We have the smallest class size in town, and our instructors are skilled at paying attention to more than one person at the same time. But some conditions do require more focused individualized attention. In those instances we recommend working privately, or at least doing a few private lessons before attending group classes.
Can I do yoga if I'm pregnant?
Can I still come to class if I'm late?
Running around ten minutes late? Don’t sweat it! Come on down. Some yoga is always better than no yoga, and busy people probably need yoga most of all! If you arrive during centering just wait in the reception area until the centering concludes, and then enter quietly. (You'll know centering is over because people will start moving.) If you’re going to be much later than about ten minutes you should probably hold off until next time because you’ll miss the warm-up, which is important for safety and specific to the poses we’ll be practicing during class.
What if I have to leave class early?
No problem! As a courtesy to your fellow students please go before final relaxation begins. If possible situate your mat in a spot where you can slip out without too much disruption.
Can I leave my cell phone on during class?
As a courtesy to fellow students we’d prefer you didn’t. We know that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances: in those instance please set your phone to vibrate during the active portion of class. During centering, final relaxation, and meditation we do ask that all cell phones be turned off.
Can I wear perfume to class?
Thanks for asking! We’d appreciate it if you didn’t. Did you know some people are sensitive to scent that even a single spritz of perfume can take their breath away (not in the good way)? Stick with plain old soap and water. (Skip the lotion. It will turn your yoga mat into a slip and slide ride.)
What if I forget to turn off my cell phone, and it rings during class, and I'm really embarrassed?
It’s not the end of the world. Every now and then even yoga teachers forget to turn our phones off. Just do us a solid and turn your phone off if it rings, okay? When a phone continues to make noise throughout the entire class then people might start throwing some stink eye. If your phone does ring and you have to answer it, please step of the studio first.
When should I eat?
You’ll want enough energy to fuel your body without being so full that it’s uncomfortable to move. A light snack about an hour before yoga is fine. If you just ate a twelve course holiday dinner you’ll probably want to wait 2-3 hours before practicing.
What does "listen to my body" mean?
I'm naturally flexible. Does that mean that I'll be naturally good at yoga?
It seems like it should work that way, right? But believe it or not naturally bendy people require a conservative approach to yoga. Your main yoga goal shouldn’t be stretching. Your focus should be on good alignment, strengthening your muscles, stabilizing your joints—and of course all the big picture benefits and stress relief that yoga offers. It’s important that naturally bendy people work with instructors who have a good understanding of biomechanics and anatomy. We’ve got oodles of experience working with bendy people at The Well.