Wear clothes that allow for full range of motion while still keeping you appropriately covered and comfortable. Snug-fitting pants will allow you (and the teacher) to observe the alignment of your hips and knees in the poses.

Absolutely! Yoga is for everyone, not just people who are naturally flexible. Our Fundamentals classes are targeted towards students who are new to yoga. The teacher will explain poses in detail and offer modifications to enable each student to find the right version of the pose for their body. You don’t need to touch your toes to do yoga; if you’re on the mat and breathing, you’re a yogi.

If you have any injuries, are pregnant (taking a non-prenatal class), or have any other conditions, please inform the teacher before class begins. If you are already familiar with how to modify your practice or if you would like assistance from the teacher, let them know.

We have mats, blankets, blocks, straps, bolsters, and sandbags available to borrow. Students wipe down borrowed mats after each use. You may store your personal mat at Barefoot Movement, at your own risk, in the ‘Student Mat Stash’ in the stairwell. Just get a tag from us to put your name on for storage. Personal mats left unused/unclaimed for longer than three months are donated.

We have dressing rooms and a restroom but no shower.

We recommend not eating for a couple of hours before yoga class.

All of the classes at Barefoot Movement are meant to challenge students in a variety of ways that will help them improve their: strength, flexibility, coordination, mental and physical awareness, quality of breath, physiological functioning, posture and alignment, mental state, stress level, and more. See our class descriptions here [link]. In general, you might try a higher level class when you feel ready for additional challenges in the above areas. You can always ask your teacher for advice about which level is appropriate for you.

Overall, yoga is a relatively safe form of exercise with numerous well-established benefits. Injuries are rare (though not unheard of). The best way to avoid injury is to practice with a knowledgeable teacher and listen to your body, modifying poses as needed. With care and mindfulness, yoga can be a lifelong practice.