Beginner Practioners: We are so happy YOU are here!

We often refer to our studio as hOMe. That is because it truly feels homy, cozy, welcoming, safe, a place where you’ll make friends and will be looking forward to coming back.

When you pass through the doors of Root to Rise Yoga, you are hOMe. Truly. You’re invited just as you are. Without judgment or pretense. Without needing a certain label on your clothes or the ability to touch your toes.

This is a place of love where all are welcome. Soak it in.

Please read the following as we think these will be helpful for you to know before joining your first yoga class:

  1. Arrive 15 before class to register, meet your teacher, and get familiar with your new hOMe. It also gives you an opportunity to get into the right mind-set and feel at ease.
  2. You’ll be asked to leave your shoes on the entrance. Please make sure not to walk past the reception area with shoes on. There are cultural, practical, and spiritual reasons for this rule. It is a sign of respect, and since yoga is practiced on the floor, tracking in dirt makes the studio unclean. In addition, the concept of grounding — literally and figuratively is very important in yoga — it’s simply easier to ground yourself if your feet are making direct contact with the floor.
  3. Plan to stay for the whole class.That hour is your precious time! Be present. Make it a priority as you exercise self-care and soak in the benefit of the entire practice. Savasana, our last pose in a yoga class, is the great balancer in terms of our nervous system. Don’t skip it! Over time, Savasana teaches us how — and that we can — move from anxiety and hyper-stimulation to this state of down-regulation where digestion, the immune system, and other essential systems are restored and enhanced.
  4. If you must leave early, let the teacher know in advance before class starts. Place your mat close to the door and be very quiet when leaving the yoga room. Not to disturb other practitioners will be of utmost importance. Do not step on anyone’s mat and please be mindful of the noise you are making.
  1. Bring your mat, water, and towel, especially if joining a heated or hot yoga class. If you do not own a mat, we’ll be happy to let you borrow one of ours on your first class. After that, you can either rent studio’s mats or we’ll be pleased to help you purchase the right mat for you.
  1. Please make sure your cell phone is silenced while in class. Leave it outside as a yoga class is a chance to escape the digital addictions and distractions we face in everyday life. That hour on your mat is offering you a rare chance to be fully present. Don’t miss it!
  1. Avoid using perfumes or scented lotions when coming to the studio. These can be distracting for fellow students who don’t find fragrances as pleasant as you do. Staff will only use essential oils to freshen up our space.
  1. Clean up after class.Blocks, blankets, bolsters, straps, yoga is a prop-happy practice. Be sure to return them to their rightful place upon leaving. If you’re borrowing one of the studio’s mats, be sure to hang it up at their mat-cleaning station between our restrooms. Leaving your space as clean as you found it is respectful to the studio and students in later classes.
  1. Be open and give yourself a chance to breathe and move with no judgment. Come in with an open heart and mind. Give yourself a chance to experience some classes before deciding if yoga is for you. The more you practice the more magical it becomes.
  1. Yoga is a practice! Don’t expect perfection. Avoid comparison and judgment. In time your practice will blossom, and you will be experiencing the many benefits of yoga.