Frequently Asked Questions

• I've missed the first classes of the year - is it too late to come along now?
  • The classes are progressive to a certain extent - and they get gradually more challenging as the year progresses.

    However, complete beginners are welcome at any point in the year.

    If you have not attended the classes before, please tell the teacher that you are new before the start of the class.

• I've never done yoga before - is this a beginner's class?
  • Yes - this class is intended for beginners.

    If you have not done any yoga before, please tell the teacher that you are a beginner before the start of the class.

• Can non-students attend the classes?
  • Most attendees are students. Non-students are welcome to attend the classes and join the society - if they are associate members of the University Union.

    Non-union members must first join the University Union.

• What should I wear?
  • Please try to wear clothing that does not impede the movement of your limbs in any way. Shorts and t-shirts are good.

    If you wear trousers, try to make sure you can't tread on them, and that they are fairly elastic.

    Socks are not worn while practicing yoga - please remove any foot coverings.

• What should I bring?
  • Ideally, please bring a yoga mat and a yoga block.

    If you do not posess such equipment, then we do have some mats and blocks to lend to students during the classes. These are allocated on a 'first-come-first-served' basis.

    If you do not own your own mat - and are concerned that you might not get a mat - you might want to bring a towel: towels can insulate you from the floor, making some poses more comfortable.

    If you arrive with nothing at all, most poses can be performed on the floor. Also, there are often large padded crash mats available in the room where we practice.

    We normally have mats and blocks available to sell at the classes.

• I'm menstruating - can still attend the classes?
  • Yes - though not all poses are recommended for menstruating women - so you may find yourself being advised to practice different poses from other students.

• I'm pregnant - can still attend the classes?
  • No - we cannot support you in this case.

    You need to attend a pre-natal yoga class.

• I'm ill - can still attend the classes?
  • That depends:

    • If you have a physical illness that you think might affect the practice of yoga, come along, and tell the teacher about your problem before the start of the class.

      If the condition is mild you may be given poses that help with recovery.

      If it is serious, you will be given advice about whether we can cater for you.

    • If you have a disorder which you think might be infectious, then you may wish to stay away out of consideration of your fellows. Please use your own discretion in determining what action is appropriate in this case.

• I can't attend - are there other yoga classes in Bristol?
  • Yes - see the Bristol section of our links page.

• Can you briefly describe Iyengar yoga?
  • Our classes are taught in a manner inspired by the modern yoga pioneer B. K. S. Iyenger.

    Iyenger helped bring Yoga to the west, and wrote one of the classic yoga manuals of the twentieth century, Light on Yoga.

    Iyenger yoga is energetic, precise, stimulating and relaxing.

    The classes consist of Hatha yoga (yoga of the body), and are dominated by the learning and practising of asanas (poses), with a few minutes of meditation at the end of the classes.

    For more about Iyenger yoga, see the Iyenger section of our links page.

• My question isn't answered here, can you help?
  • You can try contacting us with your query.