Frequently Asked Questions

This section addresses common questions we’ve encountered from students new to yoga and new to AYS. Click on the question to jump to its answer below. If you have a question that's not addressed on this page, please contact us.

Getting Started—

What is yoga?

The word yoga means to join or yoke. It is a holistic system intended to purify and unite the mind, body, and spirit. The most popular form of yoga in the West is Hatha yoga (ha = sun; tha = moon), which is primarily a practice of physical postures (called Asanas in Sanskrit), breath work (Pranayama), and meditation (Dhyana). Hatha Yoga has many different styles associated with it, for example, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, and Bikram. At AYS, most of our teachers are trained in the Iyengar yoga tradition, which focuses on achieving healthy alignment in the poses through use of props. Yet, there is more to yoga than the physical practice; there are actually five more branches of yoga which create the classic eight branches enumerated by the great Yogic sage, Pantanjali. They are Yama (universal moral laws), Niyama (self-purification/discipline and personal morality), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the mind/domination of the senses), Dharana (concentration), and Samadhi (enlightenment). It is through the ongoing practice of yoga that we experience many benefits, including a sense of well-being, increased self-realization, and a connection to the larger community. [back to top]

I’ve never taken yoga before, and I'd like to try it. How do I choose a class?

If you have never taken yoga before, we recommend our Introduction to Yoga class, which is offered 4 times a year (see the special classes and workshops page). If you’re eager to begin immediately, we offer several classes geared toward beginners: Beginning Yoga, Beginning/Intermediate Yoga, Community Yoga, and classes indicating All Levels. (Please go to our schedule page). [back to top]

How do I get started in a class at Alameda Yoga Station?

If you have more yoga experience, the Yoga Class pass is a good option. It gives the flexibility to try out different teachers and different time slots to find what works best for you. [back to top]

What is Introduction to Yoga Basics, and what is the difference between the Intro class and the Beginning Yoga classes?

The Introduction to Yoga Basics is a workshop that we offer four times a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) that is designed to provide a supportive environment for learning yoga poses from the ground up. The pace is slower than a regular, ongoing class, with a focus on basic poses, safe alignment, and prop set-up for your particular needs. This workshop gives you a foundation to enter an ongoing Beginning yoga class with familiarity with the names and shapes of many foundation poses and knowledge of what your own body needs to practice safely. [back to top]

Do I have to take the Introductory class before starting in an ongoing beginning class?

The Introductory class is not required, but it is highly recommended. While you are welcome to drop-in or join any regular, weekly ongoing Beginning or Beginning/Intermediate class that fits your schedule, we strongly encourage complete beginners to take the Introduction to Yoga Basics workshop. This workshop will give you the ability to enter an ongoing class with an understanding of what to expect and a greater comfort level with how to participate. [back to top]

What is Beginning Yoga compared to Beginning/Intermediate Yoga?

Beginning Yoga classes are geared toward newer beginners and the emphasis is on learning the basics. The Beginning/Intermediate Yoga classes are mixed level and geared toward students of different levels with more experience. Beginning level students are welcome in the mixed-level classes, but they are best-suited for beginners with more experience. [back to top]

What do I need to bring to class?

Our studio is fully stocked with props, so really all you need are comfortable clothes that you can move in and bare feet and you’re ready for class. We do recommend that you not wear perfume/cologne as your fellow yogis can be sensitive or even allergic to certain scents. Come to class with an empty stomach (no food for at least an hour before class) for your own comfort. Some students prefer to use their own sticky mats and eye pillows, and we encourage you to bring your own if you would like to; please make sure that you label your own equipment with your name so that it doesn't get mixed in with ours. We also sell props for those students that wish to have their own for class and/or practice at home. [back to top]

I hear teachers say “Namaste” at the end of class. What does Namaste mean?

“Namaste” is the traditional closing to yoga classes, exchanged between the teacher and the students. There are many different translations of Namaste, but the basic meaning can be expressed as follows:
I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.
I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and of peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are ONE.
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How often should I come to class?

Regular, consistent yoga practice provides the greatest benefits both physically and mentally. However, all of us struggle with juggling multiple responsibilities in the different facets of our lives (work, family, personal). Once you’ve found a class or teacher that fits your needs and schedule constraints, make time for yourself to attend class regularly. Different students have different needs; you may find that your body and mind respond best to a weekly commitment to class, or you may find that as your practice develops you both want and need more yoga time. Let your body be your guide. [back to top]

Pricing and registration for classes/workshops—

What do the classes cost?

We have several pricing options for ongoing classes:

The AYS Class Pass offers the most flexibility — for $96, you get 6 regular classes with any teacher (60-day time limit), or 12 regular classes for $180 (120-day time limit). The Class Pass does not apply toward workshops or discounted classes.
If there is a particular teacher you want to take classes from, we offer series rates — $84 for 6 classes with the same teacher within a 60-day time frame or $144 for 10 classes with the same teacher within a 120-day time frame.
If you just can't make a time commitment to a teacher or to a certain number of classes, you can attend any ongoing class at a drop-in rate of $18 per class.
As a service to the community, we also offer community yoga classes and Feldenkrais at a reduced rate ($10 drop-in; $48 for 6 classes with the same teacher within 60-days, or $90 for 12 classes within 120-days). [back to top]

What forms of payment do you accept?

We take cash and checks; we do not accept credit cards at this time. You make your check out to AYS for the AYS class pass and workshops, but to individual teachers for series and /or drop-ins. We always appreciate exact change when you are paying cash. [back to top]

Why don’t you have a monthly unlimited pass?

Alameda Yoga Station is a smaller, non-corporate yoga studio, structured on more of a co-op model. We do not offer a monthly unlimited pass, as our teachers track attendance of their own students, as well as students using our Yoga Class Pass. This enables AYS to attract highly trained teachers who offer individual attention. Our largest classes are 25 to 30 people, and many classes are smaller, so that instructors are able to give personal attention to each student. [back to top]

How do I register for a class or workshop?

You do not need to pre-register for our regular/ongoing weekly classes. If you are new to the class, be sure to arrive a few minutes early, let the teacher know any special issues, and sign our waiver. For workshops, you should pre-register. These workshops, especially Intro to Yoga, often sell out and pre-registration ensures you have a spot in the class. However, if you miss pre-registration, you can always come to the studio on the day it first meets to see if there is still space. [back to top]

I came by the studio and the door was locked. When are you open; when can I find someone there?

Our studio is open for classes and workshops. If you look at the schedule online, you’ll see when the studio is open (generally about 15 minutes before a class begins). If you are coming to purchase gift certificates or props, please honor the published class times; you can come before a class or after to browse our prop and book selection. If you are coming for a class and the door is locked, please wait outside the studio, and the teacher will be there to show you in. Often teachers lock the door during class time to prevent interruptions; thus, if you arrive while the previous class is still in session, the door may be locked. The first person to leave will unlock the door and you are welcome to enter at that time. [back to top]

Yoga for special needs—

I would love to try yoga, but I’m concerned because of my particular situation. What do I need to consider before starting?

If you have special needs (medical conditions, stress, pregnancy, injuries, back pain, generally out of shape), you should first check with your doctor about the appropriateness of yoga for your situation. In addition, you should let the teacher know, either beforehand by e-mail/phone or before class, any relevant information about your situation. AYS also offers several special classes that address particular health concerns, such as gentle yoga, pre-natal yoga, restorative yoga, and living with cancer that you may wish to explore. [back to top]

What if I need to modify poses?

Practice at your own level, respecting your own needs and limits, using any props necessary. Rest when you need to, and avoid straining or pushing in the poses. Please feel free to ask the teacher for alternatives or modifications when needed. At the same time, please respect the teacher and other students by staying with the general spirit and focus of the class. When you have strong ideas about poses you would rather be doing, that is a sign you are ready to be practicing on your own, which should be done at home. [back to top]

Miscellaneous questions—

Do you offer private instruction?

If you have a regular teacher at AYS, you can always ask him or her about private instruction. We recommend that you begin private instruction with someone whose teaching you like and who is familiar with your practice. You may also check our teachers page for information on which instructors currently offer private and semi-private lessons. [back to top]

Are there any other guidelines I need to know about?

The following are general guidelines for classes at AYS:

Wear comfortable clothes to class that allow you to move freely, such as a leotard and tights, or a t-shirt and shorts with an elastic waist. Yoga is practiced with bare feet.
Come to class with an empty stomach. If you must eat in the hour or two prior to class, fruit or fruit juice is best.
Please be on time for class. If you are waiting outside before class, please keep conversation quiet in consideration of the class that is ending. If you must be late, please enter the class quietly.
Please turn off all cell phones and pagers prior to class. No exceptions.
If you are menstruating, it is recommended that you not practice inverted poses. Please ask the teacher for an alternative.
We strongly recommend that you not skip the cool down and relaxation period, which are designed to bring your body into its healthiest alignment, help your body/mind integrate what you have learned in the class, and calm the nervous system for maximum health benefits.
If you must leave class early, please let the teacher know before class begins.
Please keep talking to a minimum during class.
Teaching style, including the level of strenuousness in a class, can vary greatly from teacher to teacher. We recommend that you try different classes to find the best personal fit and find the best experience of yoga for you.
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