What to Expect the First Time You Visit the Studio

Acknowledgement & Welcome​

The Iyengar Yoga Studio of Victoria is located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, today known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn in this territory.

Online registration

Our online store makes it easy to register and pay for classes, in advance of your class.  Check out the easy instructions so that you’re all set, including agreeing to the standard waiver.

What to bring and what to wear to class

Bring your own yoga mat (any kind will do) and dress in comfortable and loose clothing.  The teacher should be able to see your knees to check for proper alignment, so please wear shorts or tights.  Ideally, your top can be ‘tucked in’ the shorts or tights, for modesty.

Our studio has all the other necessary props, such as bolster, blankets, straps, and blocks.  We have change rooms and you may leave your cell phones and bags in the change rooms.  Alternatively, you can bring in your valuables with you (don’t forget to turn off the cell phones) and place them at the side; avoid placing them in places where they become a hazard to others.

What to expect at your in-person class

Although we offer virtual classes as well, in-person classes can provide a more accurate introduction to our style of yoga, named after our Guruji, Iyengar Yoga.

Our studio is located in downtown Victoria, on the top floor of a two-story brick building.  You can enter from either the Fort Street or the Meares Street entrance.

Admire the central courtyard before you enter the stairwell and walk up to the second floor, where you will find the front door to our studio.

Classes run throughout the week, but the front desk is manned only during office hours.  If you arrive earlier than 15 minutes to the start time, you may wait in the second floor waiting area just outside our studio door.

If you arrive late to a class (life happens!) and there’s no-one at the front desk, you may need to knock on the door to get our attention.  However, if you hear the Invocation to Patanjali chant (signalling the start of class), please wait until after it’s finished and you hear the people moving about, before knocking.   Someone will hear you and let you in.

Tips

Do not wear fragrances as others may be affected by it.

Do not eat heavy meals just before the class start time; ideally, a gap of three or more hours is best.

It is not required to bring water bottles into class, as our style of yoga does not advise drinking water during class unless you have a medical condition that requires it.  You may leave it in the change room or off to the side.

Please let your teacher know before class if you have any medical issues or concerns, and for female students, please inform your teacher if you are currently pregnant or menstruating.

What to expect after your class

You can expect to feel more centred and more calm after a class, as Iyengar yoga is known for purposefully arranging the order, and duration of poses to bring us back to a more balanced physical, mental and emotional state.

What’s next?

To truly get a feel for this style of yoga, you will want to attend several classes.   Each class is slightly different and targeted towards a specific effect.