svastha yoga ayurveda

You are welcome to enter the yoga room from 15 minutes prior to the start of class. If you arrive early, please set up your mat then sit or lie down and begin the process of self-observation. Entering the yoga room is the moment we can consciously choose to leave the busy-ness of the outside world behind:- conversations, world events, traffic conditions, daily upsets and stresses 

Please park off road if possible, it is safer for your vehicle and out of the way of the rubbish collection and passing cars. Don’t park on the verge as the city council may issue a parking fine. Enter via the second driveway and face towards the first driveway for exiting. Go well forward to leave room for further cars behind and beside you. Please avoid parking on the grass as a rule but if you need to drive over it to get out past another car, no problem. There is additional parking up beside the yoga room entry door

Please avoid walking inside in your shoes. Remove them at the door and place them in the pigeon-holes provided. We practise in bare feet (although I recommend bringing socks in Winter). Please avoid stepping or walking on another student’s mat. There is no required form of dress, just something comfortable that doesn’t restrict your movement. In Winter, consider wearing layers so you have something warm if you need it

When you need to use the bathroom, there is no need to ask, please just go through whenever you need to, closing and re-opening the door quietly, and returning to your mat with minimal disturbance

Please place your mat carefully on the floor rather than flicking or dropping it, which might startle those who are lying or sitting with eyes closed. This carefulness applies to everything we do or handle in our yoga space, such as the way we place any bolsters or cushions. This way we bring mindfulness into each and every action. By being mindful of our actions, we consciously create a respectful space for our own practice and for those who share the space with us

Please leave mobile phones in the car, or switch off completely to avoid disruptions

Allow time for digestion after a meal and before class - usually at least two hours. Please don’t bring food or drink into the yoga space, except for a water bottle which should be placed where it won’t be knocked over, i.e. against the wall rather than right beside your mat

Your yoga mat and, if you like, an eye-pillow or scarf for covering your eyes during relaxation. Please minimise what else you bring inside to reduce clutter in our small space. If you do bring bags, please place them against the wall to give yourself and others as much room as possible

It is best to bring your own mat, however if you forget don’t let it deter you from coming to class. There are spares at the studio, it's just nicer to use your own

Please note that STRONG perfumes, oils and scents might adversely affect others. Because breathing and awareness is such an important component of practice, we can be more sensitive to strong scents than at other times. The increase in body temperature as we move also intensifies some scents, so consider using only the necessary, e.g. deodorant

Please let me know if you have an injury or health condition that might affect the way that you move, breathe, or feel. That way I can assist you to honour your current state by practising in the most helpful way currently. Please cancel your class if you are experiencing symptoms of cold, flu or viruses that may be transmissible

Although the intention in class is to cultivate quiet and mental focus, please ask if you don’t understand something. If the moment seems inappropriate, please ask or call after class

You can pay per class, or buy a 5-class or 10-class pass. Passes may be shared with a friend or family member and do not have a use-by date. Passes are not refundable but if you cannot finish your pass, you might consider offering to sell the remainder to a friend or another student for the value of the remaining classes. Methods of payment are cash, bank transfer (ask me for details) or www.PayPal.me/yogapaula

We finish class with our hands in añjali mudrā (palms facing each other with hands cupped in the shape of a flower bud) in front of hṛdayam (the heart space). With hands in añjali mudrā, we say the Sanskrit words oṁ śāntiḥ. The sanskrit word śāntiḥ means peace, and this salutation is both an invocation for peace, and an acknowledgement that we aim to connect with the experience of peace inside each of us