FAQ & Etiquette

We are delighted to welcome you to our studio for a yoga class.  Here are some tips to ensure that your experience is a pleasure both for you and those around you.

~Please bring a yoga mat & water bottle (and a towel if practicing hot yoga). Yoga mats & towels can also be rented or purchased at the studio.

~Please remove all footwear at front entrance

~First time at The Welcome Mat? Please arrive extra early and sign in/ sign a waiver at reception.

~Please arrive 10-15 minutes before class and be on your mat at least 5 minutes before the class start time. Late comers are not permitted.

~All students must sign-in before entering a class. Please let the teacher know you have arrived. 

~Please wear clothing that will be comfortable for your practice, but is not too revealing. Wear bare feet and light weight clothing that is easy to move in.

~When you enter the studio practice space, please settle down quietly, and relax or meditate until class begins.

~Please leave valuables at home and store all coats and personal belongings in the changerooms to keep the studios tidy and spacious.  Front doors will be locked during classes.

~There are shower facilities in each changeroom. Please bring a towel and your own products if you choose to shower after class.

~Please turn off or mute all cell phones upon entering the reception area. Cell phones are not permitted in the studio practice area.

~Please keep voices low while in the reception area and change room/washroom. The yoga rooms are silence only zones, please use the reception area for conversations with friends and teachers.

~Please refrain from wearing heavily scented products (perfumes, after shave, etc.) as some students are extremely sensitive.

~Come well hydrated and with a light stomach (avoid eating heavy foods for 2-3 hours before your practice).

~Savasana is an essential component to a yoga class…consider it a dedication to the finish of practice. Please practice silence during savasana and however tempted you may be to leave and skip out, resist it! This is where your practice assimilates and the results are infused with a repose so well-deserving and so necessary. This last pose seals your practice with good intention and prepares you for the next phase. 

~Let your instructor & reception know if you are pregnant, or if you have any injuries or medical conditions they should be aware of.  If you have serious allergies or medical conditions such as epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, heart conditions, high/ low blood pressure, etc. please unsure reception has proper up-to-date emergency contact info. Please note: Hot yoga should be discussed with your doctor prior to coming to class if you are pregnant or have other health conditions.

~Please respect the teacher by following the poses (or modifications) and series’ provided (or choose to take rest if needed).  Communicate with the teacher in a respectful manner. Yoga is non-competitive. Please go at your own pace. Be respectful towards your body, never moving to the point of pain, and rest as needed.

~Classes can leave a yogi in all sorts of different moods, happy, emotional, relaxed, and grateful; still other times we have questions or concerns…please share either with your teacher after class!

~If you borrowed a mat from the studio,  please spray it down, roll it up and place it back in the mat basket.  If you used props, please return them to the shelves or hooks and please take all of your personal belongings with you!  If you created a puddle of sweat, please wipe it with your towel.

~Therapeutic/ recovery students: if you are recovering from injuries and surgeries, please be kind to your body and work at your own pace. Always communicate any old / new injuries or surgeries with your teacher. Classes use a wide variety of props to assist as needed to support you as your body heals.

~Please register and pay for your classes!  We will get to know you, we promise, but until we are sure about your name please stop into the desk and sign in and pay (if required).  Sometimes you slip in quietly and we may not see you.  Please see our Policies & Paperwork page for information on refunds/ cancellations if required.

~Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in adult classes unless approval has been given from The Welcome Mat Ltd. Management. Children under the age of 16 are not permitted in hot classes.

~Parents/ Guardians of child & teen students: Please sign a child/ teen waiver at reception, even if you’ve already signed one in the past. Sign your child in every class and instruct your teen to do so. Please do not bring your child if they are sick.

~Practicing yoga a few times weekly is recommended for continuity and growth; however, 1x or 2x per week is also extremely beneficial.  Try various styles and teachers to find your niche.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy!  Yoga is a powerful, delightful, and transformational practice, leaving you feeling refreshed and energized. Cumulatively, the process will enrich every aspect oour life, providing balance and inspiration for body, mind and spirit.