Yoga Information | Yoga District

General Information on Yoga

Please call us with any questions at 202 265 YOGA or email yogadc@yogadistrict.com.

Mats: We rent mats for a dollar, or you can bring your own. You can store your mat at any of our studios for free if you write your name on your mat and have it in a mat bag or tied with a strap. We also have eco-friendly mats for sale; they're safer for the environment and for you too, since PVC mats are toxic for you and the environment.

Types of Yoga: There are many yoga traditions (Iyengar, Baptiste Power, Sivananda, Astanga, Bikram, Vinyasa, etc.), but Yoga District tries to steer clear of much dogma related to the different traditions. That's why we have so many class types so that you can pick a class type or an instructor that suits your individual needs. Our classes generally combine a few different yoga traditions, drawing from them whatever is appropriate for each classes' attendees. Check our class descriptions on our brochure or on our live class reservation system.

Food & Drink: Drink water! Not just the day of your yoga class, but also on the days before and the day after, especially if you take a sweat inducing class. Eating lots before a yoga class is not a good idea. Try to eat an hour or two before your practice. If you do eat before your practice, make it something light and small. Eating after class is fine. Yoga can aid digestion and help naturally reset your appetite, too. If you drink alcohol after a yoga class, it can make you more loopy than usual, so it might be better to drink water instead. We have filtered water available for free at both our studios, but we prefer that you bring your own reusable travel cup or something like that so we can avoid doing dishes. (We don't offer disposables or bottles of water since they are not so smart for the environment).

Clothing: No shoes or socks necessary or recommended during yoga class. Comfortable, breathable clothes are recommended. You can wear a t-shirt/tank/long sleeved shirt and sweats or athletic shorts, but keep in mind you might want whatever you wear to be both flexible (moves with you) and also a little bit form-fitting, since in some yoga poses, your head comes below your hips and your shirt can slide down or you might have a wide-legged stance that makes loose shorts uncomfortable. Any exercise pants or shorts will do, although it’s best not to wear super slick lycra-type pants since they may cause you to slip in some poses.

Timing: Please arrive at least 10 minutes before class. We prefer cash payment, and we love exact change. If you need to pay by credit card, we recommend doing so in advance online through our online reservation system so that you don't have to wait in line for your credit card to be processed. Please note that we have a $15 credit card minimum at our studios.

Contact with instructors: In our intake form, we ask if you mind if instructors adjust or assist you with your postures. This means an instructor might guide your arm to a straighter position, guide your shoulders away from shrugging towards your ears, or help you make other adjustments to help you relax and enjoy your yoga posture practice safely.

Contact with the outside world: Turning your phone off during class at our studio or while practicing at home is a good idea.

Class structure: Class can start many different ways, but it always ends with a few minutes of savasana (corpse pose): laying down, closing the eyes, emptying the mind, relaxing the body, and absorbing the benefits of your practice. Try to be still during your savasana. You might wonder why you should relax if you have so much to do and think about; think of it as clearing your kitchen counter before preparing a meal. You need a clean work space to carry out your work, so take the time to clear your mind once in a while. It might take a while for you to learn how to close your eyes and relax in savasana, or it might come naturally - either way, when you finally allow yourself to relax, your practice can take on new meaning in your life!

How often you should practice: Come to class at least every other day to see real changes in your body. Every other day or daily is ideal, since your muscles won't lose their flexibility or strength between classes. Try to develop a routine of classes you go to every week or month so that yoga becomes part of your lifestyle, rather than just something you do once in a while. If you can't come to class often, pick a few poses you can safely do on your own or just do some sun salutations. Even if you do just one yoga posture a day, you will see a difference. Some favorites: cat and cow postures every morning before getting out of bed, or child's pose before going to sleep.

Benefits: Our yoga classes help shape your body to the way it was intended to naturally be. Yoga can also help inspire healthy decisions that go far beyond your mat practice. Yoga can help stop food cravings, alleviate stress, energize the body and mind... the list goes on. For a simple explanation of some of the physical and mental benefits, check out http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/a/benefits.htm or just take up a regular yoga practice to see for yourself.