The idea of attending a Yoga class – even if it is designed for beginners – may seem daunting, and for very understandable reasons. Unlike most gym classes, Yoga can almost seem pretentious and therefore intimidating – but these are common fears and should not stop you beginning practice. One of the best ways to allay these fears is to learn a little about Yoga etiquette before your first class, so you won’t feel out of place and like the new kid at school.

One of the most important aspects of Yoga etiquette is to be on time. If you are anything over 10 minutes late, most would consider it rude to enter the class and interrupt. It is much better to chalk it up to experience and wait for the next class, rather than disturbing the tranquillity of the class in progress.

Once inside the studio, begin by removing your shoes and turning your cell phone off. If you forget and it does ring, try and own up immediately and turn it off as quickly as possible. This is apparently one of the biggest pet hates for Yoga followers during a class, though, so wherever possible do remember to turn it off before you even enter the room.

Outside of common courtesy, there is etiquette specific to Yoga. During the final relaxation, known as Savasana, it is immensely frustrating for others and even viewed as rude if you leave. Although by this point you may consider the class finished, it isn’t, and you should always observe Savasana and leave only when directed to by your teacher. If you do need to learn early, inform your teacher and take an earlier Savasana, but keep these occasions to a minimum.

At all times, try to respect the tranquillity of the studio and other followers. If you need to use the bathroom, do it only where there are specific rest periods during the class. These are frequent, so you should be able to wait.

Keep these in mind when attending your first Yoga class, and nothing can go wrong.