Question 1

This is my first yoga class ever, what do I need to know?

Accepted Answer

1. Anyone can practice Yoga. 
Despite what Western marketing and social media may show you - there is no ideal body type or ability level for a yoga practice. According to the Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of yoga, the only thing you need is the ability to “direct and focus mental activity.” You can start right now... Quiet your mind and be present in what you are doing. Ta-dah! You are practicing yoga!

2. Arrive to class early.
Try and get to class at least ten minutes early. This will give you time to get settled in our space, meet our teachers and some fellow students as well as voice any needs and concerns you have to our staff.

3. You can’t suck at yoga.
Nobody sucks at yoga because yoga is a journey. Our motto is, "No competition. No shame." Your ability to do a pose doesn't make you more or less of a yoga practitioner. Shame is not part of yoga. Asana is only one of the many tools that yoga shares with us. You don't need to be flexible, strong, skinny, or anything else to practice yoga. Yoga is a spiritual practice of liberation and connection with our innate wholeness.

4. Be present. Be kind. 
Practice being fully present to your body and everyone in our space.  Listen with compassion for yourself and for others. We invite you to hold a brave space for yourself and others to be vulnerable and to grow together safely. Above all else, we practice ahimsa - the yogic principle of doing no harm. Bullying, talking down to others, harassment, and hate speech will not be tolerated.

Be sure to also review our Should I bring my own mat section before your first session with us!

Question 2

Should I bring my own yoga mat and props?

Accepted Answer

We have yoga mats and props to borrow at the studio. We LOVE props and nearly always integrate them into our classes as they make certain asana more accessible and more comfortable.

Come in clothing that feels good on your body and gives you the ability to move with ease. We keep the studio at a comfortable temperature for practice.

Bring a filled water bottle. The studio has disposable cups and filtered water for refills.

Yoga is traditionally practiced with bare feet to increase your awareness of the support beneath you and to prevent you from slipping on your mat or on our wood floors. You're welcome to keep them with you for restorative classes, seated poses, and/or during savasana. If it doesn't work for you to be barefoot, you can wear grippy, non-slip yoga socks.

Question 3

Do I need to sign up in advance?

Accepted Answer

For the convenience and safety of our students and instructions, we cannot allow walk-ins. Advance registration is required for all classes. Booking closes 1 hour before class starts.

Question 4

Values and Community Agreements

Accepted Answer

More than just a movement studio, we are committed to making waves in the wellness industry by challenging norms, disrupting systems and mobilizing people to be in action to create transformative social change.

Zia Yoga & Wellness' Community Agreements (https://www.ziayogawellness.com/about)outline how we commit to being in community with each other. They will be expanded and updated as we continue to learn and grow.

Question 5

Inside Voices Please

Accepted Answer

We love yoga, and we love to have fun and see our friends. And yoga is also a spiritual practice that gives many of us space from the stress of modern living. Please use your inside voices at the studio and in the retail boutique and be mindful of students who may be settling quietly before class.

Question 6

Can I bring my cell phone into the studio?

Accepted Answer

Cell phones must be silenced upon entering the building.

If you are a medical professional, on-call, or have something emergent, please reach out to our Management Team and we will consider it on a case-by-case basis at the teacher’s discretion. Every teacher is unique and has the autonomy to decide what is best for their practice.

Phones left on will be silenced by staff if needed.

Question 7

Do you offer hands-on assists?

Accepted Answer

Yes! But only with your explicit consent. Our intention with hands-on assistance is to offer our students a more customized class and to help bring awareness and alignment to the body. Hands-on assistance is not meant to manipulate, move, or create pain.

How to give consent:

In the center of the practice space, on the altar rug, you will see a small bowl of stones. If you consent to hands-on assistance, simply put a permission stone near the top of your mat. If you forget a stone, you can always give verbal consent at any time during class. A stone doesn’t guarantee hands-on assistance as there will be times or certain classes that they are not offered.

How to decline or remove consent:

If you do not want hands-on assistance, simply do not put a stone near your mat. Please know that we never take it personally if you choose not to be assisted - rather, we strongly encourage you to feel empowered about anyone touching you in any situation.

You change your mind and remove consent at any time. You can do this by sliding your stone under your mat, waving your hand "no", or saying "No" - at any point in the class.

Question 8

Can I have a free or trail class?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, in today's post-pandemic and economic landscape, we are not able to offer free or trial classes. Our class and membership rates reflect what is needed to sustain our business and keep our commitment to providing equitable pay for our teachers and a living wage salary for our leadership team.

From time to time, we do host free community or donation-based classes as well as offer many low-cost incentives for new students and friends of current members including:

• Our New Client Offers (https://www.ziayogawellness.com/starter-pack)include a discounted opportunity to experience several classes at our studio over 3-4 weeks depending on the tier you choose.

• Community Membership Scholarships (https://www.ziayogawellness.com/scholarship-application)intentionally created to center students for whom access to studio yoga classes would otherwise not be possible and/or those who represent historically marginalized populations.

If you need help picking the membership tier or pricing option that is best for your needs and budget, please send us a text at (610) 463-0161

Question 9

How can I practice from home (or anywhere) in your Virtual Studio?

Accepted Answer

All of our membership tiers include unlimited access to our Virtual Yoga Studio (www.ziayogawellness.com/virtual-studio)so you can practice on-demand 24/7 from any device.

Question 10

Is it okay for me to wear perfume or other scents?

Accepted Answer

Please avoid strong perfumes, colognes, fragranced laundry soap, and fragranced hair and body products when you come to the studio as many of our students have allergies or sensitivities to strong odors. Please also come free of body odor, pet hair, or smoke odor. This helps us to maintain an environment where everyone can be comfortable.

Question 11

Do you have other Perinatal Friendly classes I can attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Explore our ongoing Perinatal Yoga Class Series here. (www.ziayogawellness.com/perinatal-yoga)

Plus all 20+ public group classes on our weekly schedule are taught by certified yoga instructors who are trained in working with perinatal students. Please inform your teacher before class if you are pregnant or experiencing any postpartum issues. Most importantly, listen to your body and trust your intuition.

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