Our Principles and Policies
Basic etiquette is an expression of the fundamental belief of yoga which is “ahimsa” or non-harming to self and others. It’s simply a practice of developing awareness of your world and all of those that are sharing it with you. Since practicing yoga at a studio may be a new experience for you, we would like to offer the following guidelines designed to help us all experience more spaciousness and friendliness toward ourselves, each other and our environment.
BEFORE CLASS: Be Comfortable. Wear loose-fitting or non-restrictive clothing and avoid accessories that could impede your movement. Classes are all barefoot, in fact please no shoes at any time, on studio floor. *Be Clean. Our teachers often work hands-on with students and students practice close to one another so please be considerate about your hygiene. Bathe before class and refrain from using perfumes and too many scented products. *Be Empty. It's good not to eat a big meal at least 2-3 hours before class. Avoid drinking too much water before class, but remember to hydrate afterwards. Also, drinking coffee before a class will effect your balance, concentration, circulation and energy level, so it is highly recommended to drink it after your practice, if at all.
UPON ENTERING THE STUDIO: Power to the Peaceful! When you arrive at the studio, be mindful that there may be bodywork appointments going on in the other rooms. Speaking in a quiet voice will also assist you in finding calm and ease from the moment you walk in the door. Turn it all off. Take a deep breath. The studio is a quiet, sacred place. Leave your shoes and street clothes in the cubbies and turn off your cell phone as soon as you walk up the stairs. Please try to arrive 5-10 minutes early. Be sure to sign-in at the front desk by printing your name clearly so that we can get an accurate count. This is how your teacher is paid. Extend your practice of “ahimsa” by being conscious of your teacher’s responsibilities before your class begins. NEW
Prices
Your first regular, weekly class with us is FREE!
(workshops & special events do not apply)
$30 for 30 days for new students
Drop-in $15
5 Class Pass $65 (no expiration at this time)
10 Class Pass $110 (no expiration at this time)
Monthly Unlimited Class Pass $125 (single month-valid 30 days-no contract required)
Monthly Unlimited Membership $100 (one year commitment required with an auto-pay contract)
Payment Options: We accept payments of cash, check or credit card (American Express, Mastercard and Visa)
Membership Policies: Multi-class passes and 1- Month Unlimited Yoga passes purchased at The Space Above are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are valid for the time indicated for that pass. Exceptions to the expiration date of multi-class passes are permitted only due to illness or injury. If this applies to you, please inform us immediately, so we may credit you for the amount of time/classes you will miss, starting from the date you informed us. For an auto-pay Monthly Unlimited Membership, after 90 days, you may cancel any time with only 30 days written notice. If you do not cancel, you will continue to be billed on a monthly basis at our Monthly Unlimited auto-pay rate until the end of your year term.
STUDENTS: Talk to us. If you're a new student, please arrive 15 minutes early for class so you can get acquainted with the studio, fill out paperwork and introduce yourself to the teacher. Don't be concerned how the other students are doing, Yoga is not about competition. Respect your limits and stop immediately if any posture does not feel right for you. Please be sure to inform your instructor before class begins about any injuries or special health conditions that might affect your practice. Modifications can be used to allow you to practice safely.
BE ON TIME: Our classes begin and end on time. The front is locked at the start of every class. To practice “ahimsa” means to be mindful of other people’s time. Please be seated in the classroom a few minutes before the start of class. Each class is organized with a beginning, middle and end, all of which contribute to your experience. Being late would disrupt the class experience for others - and you know how that feels when it happens to you.
LEAVING EARLY: Though we hope you will plan to stay for the entire class, if you absolutely have to leave early, be sure to practice Savasana (corpse pose, deep relaxation) on your own for at least five minutes and leave before the beginning of the class Savasana. It is impossible to leave quietly enough to avoid disturbing others once the general Savasana has begun.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS: Think of the studio as a special sacred place where you can take refuge. With that awareness in mind, please: *Be mindful of how you place your mat on the floor - - try not to unfurl it with a loud “fwap!” but unroll it quietly out of respect for your neighbors. *Organize your practice area with neatness and consideration of those around you. * If you are socializing a bit before class, be mindful of others who may be centering themselves before class.
PRACTICE “PROPASANA”: Think of others. The asana practice continues after your classes. Return all props to their appropriate places, which should be right where you found them, at the end of the class. Blankets need to be refolded to their original shape. They are “trained” to fold a certain way. If you are unsure about what that is, please ask your teacher. Blocks should be arranged neatly on the shelves alongside other blocks. Belts should be rewound into a palm-sized spiral and placed in the belt basket, and please try to roll mats back up as tightly, and neatly as possible.
MATS: Love your yoga mat. We do have mats for use in the studio and although we do clean them, it is not as hygienic or as meaningful as practicing on your own mat. We also sell high quality mats made from sustainable materials ( in observance of that first principle of yoga “ahimsa,” non-violence) Thank you for continuing to support community & practice at The Space Above. We appreciate your feedback, questions and comments so please feel free to let us know about your experience.