The Centre For Balanced Medicine
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Yoga student notes
What to wear
For yoga classes you should wear loose comfortable clothing, such as jogging trousers and a t-shirt, plus a warmer top layer for the relaxation. Choose clothing that doesn’t need constant readjusting to keep you covered, and full length or cropped trousers rather than shorts. You should have bare feet for safety.
For aqua yoga classes you should wear a swimsuit, legsuit or trunks. Some women may prefer to wear a crop top style sports bra under their swimsuit. The warm-up takes place outside the pool, so wear a t-shirt and jogging trousers over your swimsuit which can be quickly removed before getting into the pool. Make sure you have adequate warm clothes for after an aqua yoga class.
Yoga Mat
You should bring your own yoga mat to the class. It is essential that the mat is non-slip (the vinyl covered foam pads are unsafe).
The mat we recommend is the ‘studio mat extra wide’ (4.5mm thick x 80cm x183cm) from Yoga Mad. These mats are available from us at £21.99, and can be brought to your first yoga class by prior arrangement, or collected from the Centre for Balanced Medicine Alternatively they can be purchased from Yoga Mad on 01386 859555 or www.yogamad.com.
Cheaper mats can be purchased from many shops, but are usually thinner, narrower, less non-slip and not so long lasting as better quality mats.
If you have a joint or back problem which makes it uncomfortable for you to lie on a studio floor with a standard thickness mat, please ring us for more information. Avoid the dense ashtanga mats as these are heavy and too firm.
Preparation before class
For studio classes it is recommended that you arrive fifteen minutes before the start of the class. The room will be available for you to relax in the quiet to some gentle music; this will help you to make the most of your class.
It is not a good idea to have a meal within two hours of your yoga class, whether in the studio or pool. If you are coming to an early evening class and feel you need something within two hours, consider a smoothie, a banana or some dried fruit and nuts rather than anything heavy.
If you are seeing a chiropractor, osteopath, healer, reflexologist or similar, it is best to arrange your appointment on a different day to your yoga class, and you should inform your teacher if you are having such treatment.
What else do I need to bring?
For studio classes please bring a small blanket to use during the relaxation, and a thin cushion for under your head if you need one for comfort.
After each asana there will be a chance to make some notes if you wish to, so please bring a notebook and pen.
Your health and needs
Prior to your first class you will have completed a health questionnaire. If anything changes please inform your teacher, either before the class in private, or at the beginning of the class when the teacher checks in with the group.
You should not attend a yoga class during the first 13 weeks of a pregnancy, and should inform your teacher if you are pregnant.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss the suitability of a class for your needs.