Frequently Asked Questions
Please email additional questions to ty@tucsonyoga.com.
Beginner's Questions
I've never done yoga before. Which class should I go to?
Basic Yoga is appropriate for most beginners. Check the class schedule to see when the next Basic Yoga classes are scheduled. If you are out-of-shape, very stiff, or injuried, you should start out with one of the Gentle Yoga classes. On the other hand, if you're very fit and flexible, you may enjoy starting out at a Flow class. More information for beginners is available on our Beginners Page.
How many times per week should I take class? We recommend taking classes 3 times a week, or less if you're supplementing with home practice. Many of our students make a commitment to attending the same 3 classes per week, and others just come when it's convenient.
What should I wear?
No special clothing is required to do yoga. Just wear comfortable clothing that isn't too baggy and doesn't restrict movement. In general, a T-shirt or tank-top is appropriate, with sweats, stretch-pants, or shorts on bottom. Yoga is done with bare feet, so please come with clean feet, and plan to remove your shoes and socks when you arrive.
Should I take all my classes with the same teacher?
This is entirely your choice. Some students like to take all their classes with the same teacher, while others enjoy practicing with a variety of teachers. The vast philosophies and practices of yoga have traditionally been passed on from teacher to student, sometimes with a lifetime of study. The whole structure of a "yoga class" is not part of this tradition -- yoga classes are actually quite a new phenomenon in the last half-century. At our yoga studio, it's not necessary or expected that you stick with one teacher. However, as your practice develops you may wish to seek out a more intensive relationship with a chosen teacher or teachers, through workshops, trainings, and one-on-one interaction.
General Questions
Do I need to have my own mat?
Students are required to bring their own mat to class. If you don't have your own, you can rent one of ours for $1 per usage. Brand new students are allowed to use a rental mat for free when they come to their first class. We also sell yoga mats for $15 each.
How big are your classes?
Class sizes can vary greatly, anywhere from 5 to 45 students. Certain times are very popular, and when a class is full you'll have 1 foot of space between your mat and your neighbors'. Many students enjoy the energy of a class-full of yogis, but some people prefer smaller classes. If you want to find smaller classes, you should check the following list of Average Class Sizes: Small Class Listing
Should I attend the same classes every week?
This is entirely your choice. Our weekly classes are all drop-in style, so it's not necessary to attend the same classes from week to week. Some students commit themselves to attending the same classes every week, while others just come when it's convenient. We also hold regular workshops and courses for those who prefer a more structured week-to-week course.
Do I need to sign-up before I come to class?
No, you can just show up to the class you want to attend. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out a registration form, or print the form on this website and fill it out in advance.
Does your class schedule change every month?
Our weekly schedule is generally consistent throughout the year, with only minor changes from month to month. The printed class schedules indicate the month that they were last updated. Our website schedule is always up-to-date, and many of our regular students have this page bookmarked: www.tucsonyoga.com/schedule.html.
Membership Questions
Do I have to start my membership on the first day of the month?
No, memberships can start on any day of the month, and you can choose the day of the month you want your automatic payments to be.
How do I start a membership?
Go to our Membership Page and sign up online.
Is membership required for students?
No, membership is one of several payment options, along with the other payment options listed on our Prices Page.
How do I cancel, suspend, or change my membership?
Please see our Membership Management page for more information.
Questions About Yoga Mats
Do I Need to Have My Own Mat?
Beginners attending class for the first time can use a rental mat for free. After that, you are required to bring your own mat, or else pay $1 rental fee for ours. (Note: This is a new policy beginning March 1, 2008.)
Where can I buy a yoga mat?
At our studio, we sell mats at a very low price of $15. We sell them cheap because we want our students to have and use their own mats. Most retail yoga mats are marked-up to $20-$24. For standard-size mats, quality does not vary much with price. Keep in mind, though that most yoga mats are not eco-friendly because contain PVC-related pollutants. We are not currently selling eco-friendly mats at our studio, but two great online sources are yogaaccessories.com and The Yoga Site.
How do I wash my yoga mat?
Standard yoga mats are surprisingly durable, and you can wash your mat alone or with clothing in a front-loading washing machine. (Note: eco-mats tend to be too fragile for machine washing). You can also dry your mat in the dryer, but it takes a long time for them to get completely dry. Usually they need to hung and air-dried for a day.
Why is my new mat so slippery?
This is a common problem with brand-new yoga mats. Two possible solutions are washing the mat, and breaking it in. To wash the mat, put it in a front-loading washing machine, without soap, running it more than once if necessary, and hang it up to dry for at least 24 hours. To break your mat in, just use it to the best of your ability, and the most slippery part of the surface will begin to wear off.
Yoga & Pregnancy
Yoga can be great for pregnancy, but it can also pose risks if you attend the wrong class, or do the wrong postures. It's important to be well-informed if you plan to take yoga classes while pregannt. Please read our Yoga & Pregnancy Page.
Other Questions
What is Hatha Yoga?
Contrary to popular belief, Hatha Yoga is not a "style" of yoga. Hatha describes any practice of yoga postures - therefore a Hatha Yoga class is simply a yoga class with physical movement. It encompasses the vast majority of yoga practiced in the United States. For example, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Bikram Yoga are some of the many styles of Hatha Yoga. We choose to call our classes Hatha because our instructors come from diverse yoga backgrounds and all our classes incorporate a blend of styles, varying from one teacher to the next.
Do you sell yoga mats, yoga clothing, yoga accessories, etc.?
The only merchandise we carry is yoga mats. You can buy our mats within 15 minutes before or after our scheduled classes. For yoga clothing, gifts, and a wider mat selection, check out the Namaste store on Speedway.
Do you rent your space out for workshops or other classes?
No, we used to, but not anymore now that we only have one room.
Is there a way for students to give feedback to the studio?
Yes, feedback is encouraged and is always kept confidential. Email it to us at ty@tucsonyoga.com.
