Frequently Asked Questions

When should I arrive for class?

Please arrive to class 10 minutes early. This is to ensure that your class starts on time, as the teacher often also wears the hat of the desk person!!! ALWAYS take your shoes off before entering the studio space. Treat the studio as if you are entering a temple, a sacred space. Enter quietly as other students may be meditating. Phones OFF or on SILENT (not vibrate) mode. Do unto others as you would like done to you…would you want to hear someone else’s shrill cell phone when practicing Yoga? We think not.

Should I eat before yoga class?

Come to class on an empty stomach. It is generally best not to eat a heavy meal four hours prior to class, or a light meal 2-3 hours prior to class. If this is impossible, eat a light meal; perhaps a piece of fruit, or a juice.

What should I wear for my yoga practice?

Wear shorts (ideally) or footless tights. Baggy shorts or pants are not ideal. They get in the way, often lend the teacher a view of areas better left under wraps in the Yoga room, and also do not allow you as the student or the teacher to see your alignment. The work of the legs and the proper alignment of the knees is critical to standing poses, which are the foundation of the practice.

No perfume PLEASE... some students (or teachers) are very sensitive to smell, and as we will be breathing deeply in class, even more so. Our studio space is intimate. Please also come to class clean and be mindful if you tend to give off any unpleasant odors!

Please leave heavy jewelry at home. It will get in your way during practice, and if you have to remove your jewelry, you might inadvertently leave it at the studio. Even a heavy watch can restrict the flexion of your wrist in certain poses, and could even be cause for injury. Rings will not allow for proper placement of the hands when weight bearing on the hands, long necklaces of any sort will fall around your chin in inverted postures. Just leave it at home…ah!! Don’t you feel lighter and less encumbered already???

Is there a changing room at KamaDeva?

There are 2 bathrooms at KamaDeva Yoga, a man's and a woman's. Each bathroom is large, and equipped with 2 stalls each. These bathrooms double as the changing rooms. There are no showers at the studio.

Can I rent a mat/towel?

We do provide yoga mats at the studio free of charge, as well as any other props you may need. We DO NOT provide towels, however; so you if you are someone who perspires easily, you may want to bring a towel.

Which style of yoga should I practice if I am a beginner?

The styles of Yoga are vast and varied, and can be quite confusing to the beginner student. It is advisable to try out different styles and teachers...you will undoubtedly find a style of yoga and a teacher that you feel is a good "fit."

What does 'Open Level' Yoga mean?

Open Level classes are best suited to students with some yoga experience, typically 6 or more months of consistent practice.

Should I practice yoga if I have an injury?

ALWAYS let the teacher know if you have any chronic injuries or issues that might affect your ability to practice. Our teachers are highly experienced and can offer modifications when necessary. Also, women, if you are menstruating and ESPECIALLY if you are pregnant, inform your teacher BEFORE class. Yoga during pregnancy is amazingly beneficial, but there are certain modifications that must be made and the first trimester, often before you are “showing” is a critical time.

What is yoga and how do we practice it at KamaDeva?

Empowered by a deep understanding of karma & emptiness, the yogi or yogini uses every aspect of themselves, their lives and the world around them to attain Enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. By maintaining this clear, unyielding and altruistic intention all day, everyday day, the yoga practice is an expression of this profound and selfless love: the body, the mind and the breath all acting together, as one, for the benefit of others.