There’s a certain “je ne sais quoi” element to what really sets apart a GREAT yoga class from a GOOD one. If you’ve experienced a great class, you know that there’s something special about it, and it’s more than the music and the poses. It can be hard to put into words, but in the thousands of classes I’ve taken over 20+ years, I’ve found a few key themes that set apart good from great.

A good yoga class gives you a nice stretch, maybe a sweat, and leaves you feeling a bit better.
A great yoga class shifts something inside you on a different level, beyond the physical. You walk in with one state of mind and leave feeling transformed. IYKYK. 

Here are seven key differences:

 1. Clear Cues vs. Embodiment

• Good: The teacher clearly tells you where to put your body, like twister: “Step your right foot forward, Warrior 1”
• Great: They guide you into your body, and help you feel it from the inside out. 

2. Movement vs. Intentional Flow

• Good: You flow through poses and get a balanced physical practice
• Great: Every movement feels intentional. There’s a sense of rhythm, breath, and transitions are meditations.

3. Sequence vs. Unfolding

• Good: The class is well-sequenced and feels complete and balanced.
• Great: The sequence feels like an unfolding of a storyline. Each pose builds toward something, whether it’s a theme, peak pose, or an internal shift. You feel like you went on a journey. 

4. Stretch vs. Shift

• Good: You feel relaxed and stretched.
• Great: You leave with insight. Something shifts, a feeling lingers, or part of you softens. 

5. Relaxed vs. Realigned

• Good: You walk out calmer
• Great: You walk out clearer. The class feels like a reset and you leave realigned.

6. Presence vs. Space

• Good: The teacher is outwardly focused and holds space.
• Great: The teacher holds space so well that you forget about time and feel like you entered another dimension. Their energy is steady, calm, and grounded. You feel safe enough to let go, explore, and feel.

 7. Workout vs. Work-in

• Good: You got a great workout
• Great: You feel like you returned to yourself and remember what matters, maybe feel more whole. 

The Bottom Line:

A great yoga class moves more than your body. It moves your breath, your heart, your awareness, and makes space for you to really unfold. Once you experience a great yoga class, it’ll have you coming back for more. 

Join the Conversation

What’s one thing that’s made a yoga class unforgettable for you? 

The post The Magic of a Great Yoga Class: 7 Elements that Separate Good from Great appeared first on yogasociety.

Just like how there’s a certain set of unspoken (or spoken) rules for the boardroom, the golf course, and the dinner table, there’s also generally accepted etiquette in the yoga studio, and in some ways it’s different from fitness or the gym. Knowing the do’s and don’ts ahead of time helps you to avoid awkward moments and be considerate of everyone in the room. Once you’ve been to a yoga class or two, you’ll understand why it matters, and you’ll be glad you read below! Here are the top ten generally accepted best practices for yoga studio etiquette:  

1. Take your shoes off at the door

Most yoga studios have a no shoes policy. Most studios have an area to leave outdoor shoes near the front entrance, and absolutely no shoes in the practice room. If you’re not comfortable in barefeet, bring clean flipflops or socks for walking around the studio. Yoga is practiced barefoot, but if you must wear socks, wear grippy socks. 

2. Arrive a few minutes early

Be punctual. Why it matters:

• Gives you time to settle in
• Prevents disturbing others already in meditation or savasana
• Many studios won’t allow latecomers for safety and flow

Most studios won’t allow latecomers into class even if you’re a minute late, and some even charge you for missing the class. If you’re late and the studio does allow late entry, take extra care to arrive and settle in quietly. 

3. Don’t bring your stuff into the yoga room

Bring only what you need into the room:

• Your mat
• A water bottle
• A towel (for hot classes)

Leave your phone, bag, and any other distractions outside or in the designated area. 

4. Silence your phone

Don’t bring your phone in the room. Trust me, you don’t want to be that person whose ping breaks the vibe for the whole room, especially during savasana. Put your phone on airplane mode or DND. Yoga is one of the last few places where being fully present is encouraged. A lot of people come to enjoy the designated time to fully disconnect. 

5. Don’t talk during class

It’s totally okay to say hi or introduce yourself to the person next to you before/after class, just keep it soft and respectful. There’s no talking during class. 

6. Be mindful of where you place your mat

Studios often have markers for where mats go. If not, the unspoken patterns are:

• Stagger: don’t block someone else’s view 
• Leave space for the teacher to walk around (generally a foot)
• If the room is filling up, stagger your mat to make space for others 

Be generally aware of your surroundings so you don’t knock your waterbottle or other bodies whilst on your mat. 

7. Be respectful during class – oming, sounds

Yoga involves twists, folds, and movement. It’s natural for your body to release tension and sometimes unexpected sounds. Sometimes there’s oming or chanting in class. Don’t make a big deal, and don’t laugh. 

8. Don’t compare yourself to (or stare at) others

It’s tempting to look around especially if you’re unsure about a pose. Yoga is a personal practice. 

• Watch the teacher for guidance
• Use mirrors to check alignment (if available)
• Stay inward – nobody is watching you as closely as you think

9. Wipe down your space

If you borrow a mat or equipment (ex. blocks), wipe them down after class. Most studios provide wipes or disinfectant spray. If it was a sweaty class, clean up your sweat marks on the floor. 

10. Stay for Savasana 

Savasana (the final resting pose) is not optional. It’s where all the benefits of your practice integrate, and it’s arguably the most important pose (read more here). Absolutely don’t disturb the peace and if you must leave early, let the teacher know beforehand and exit quietly before savasana begins. 

Read more: Don’t Skip Savasana: Why It’s the Most Important Pose

Bonus: Yoga Etiquette FAQs

1. Is it rude to leave class early? 
Leaving early isn’t ideal, especially during the final relaxation (savasana), which is considered a key part of the class. If you must leave, let the instructor know beforehand and exit quietly before savasana begins.

2. Can I ask questions during class?
It depends. In most studio classes, it’s best to save questions for after class so you don’t interrupt the flow. If you’re confused or uncomfortable, quietly ask the instructor when appropriate, like during a transition or while they’re walking around. 

3. Can I use my phone during class?
No. Phones should be silenced and put away before class starts. Using your phone during class is distracting to both you and others.

4. Do I need to say “Namaste” at the end?
Only if it feels right for you. There’s no pressure to say it if it doesn’t resonate.

5. Can I go shirtless as a guy?
It depends on the studio’s culture and your comfort level. Especially in hot classes, it’s not uncommon for men to go shirtless and women to wear a sports bra. When in doubt, ask or observe what others are doing. 

Join the Conversation

Did any of these surprise you? What’s one unspoken yoga rule you think everyone should know?

The post Yoga Studio Etiquette: 10 Unspoken Rules of the Mat appeared first on yogasociety.

What is Savasana?

Savasana (aka Corpse Pose) is the final pose of most yoga classes.  As the name suggests, you lie flat on your back and allow your entire body to relax into stillness. While physically it may look like you’re “just lying down”, there’s way more to it. Savasana is very intentional and can be deeply restorative: the goal is to allow the body and nervous system to reset and integrate everything it experienced in the practice internally.  

Why is Savasana Important?

Savasana has a number of important benefits for the body, mind, and nervous system.

🧘‍♀️ 1. It Allows Your Body to Integrate the Practice

All the movement, breath, and energy you created during your class needs time to land. Savasana gives your nervous system the chance to absorb the benefits of the practice and shift from “doing” to simply being.

🌿 2. It Calms the Nervous System

Savasana activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the rest-and-digest state that helps your body relax, repair, and restore. After dynamic movement or deep stretching, this helps bring balance and grounding to both body and mind.

🧠 3. It Trains the Mind in Stillness

We’re so used to rushing from one thing to the next. Savasana teaches presence without effort. It’s a form of meditation in stillness, and often the hardest part for people who are always on the go. Over time, it strengthens your ability to pause, listen, and just be.

⏸️ 4. It’s a Moment of Closure

Skipping Savasana is like walking out before the credits roll in a movie or stopping midway through a sentence. Savasana provides closure and a sense of completion to your practice.

What If You Find Savasana Challenging?

Especially if you’re new to yoga or tend to have a busy mind, it’s totally normal to find savasana challenging or even feel agitated at first. Stillness can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable to those who are used to always being on the go. But like any part of the practice, it gets easier with time. Finding stillness in savasana truly is a skill!

Try these tips:

• Focus on your breath.
• Do a gentle body scan from head to toe.
• Use a folded blanket or bolster to feel more supported.
• Let go of the idea that you have to “do it right”. Just allow yourself to be

Final Thoughts

Savasana is not just a feel-good “nap” bonus at the end of class. It’s an essential part of the yoga journey. Whether you’re there for the movement, the mindfulness, or both, honoring Savasana is a sign of respect for your practice, your teacher, and yourself, and you’re selling yourself short on a number of benefits by skipping it. Next time you find yourself tempted to roll up your mat early or feeling annoyed, try finding stillness and know that rest is productive. You might just discover that the stillness is the most transformative part of all.

Tips for Teachers

• Leave enough time! Don’t rush it. Allow adequate time
• Set the tone: Dim the lights, adjust the music (turn it down/off), and use calming cues – just enough to help the students drop in. Avoid over-cueing, leave lots of room for silence
• Hold space for stillness, even if it feels uncomfortable
• Offer grounding or tactile cues: Give hands-on love, be mindful of consent 

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