Question 1

All levels are welcome, even first-timers

Accepted Answer

Even if you've never done yoga before, you can still come along to class. We keep it fun, easy to follow, and include lots of options for each pose so that everyone can feel good during class.

Question 2

Bring a friend or two

Accepted Answer

When booking for a class, you can reserve up to 3 spots - so you and up to 2 friends can come along. You'll see the "Number of Participants" option in the booking form. If your guests can't make it, send me a chat message - as the booking platform doesn't make it easy for participants to see or change the number of people they have booked for. Or, you can cancel the entire booking and book in for yourself again.

Question 3

Dogs might be there too

Accepted Answer

Check with the teacher first, as some classes already have regular pooch pals. In general, well-behaved, friendly relaxed dogs that are non-shedding, clean and toilet-trained are welcome to class, with the expectation that they won't be disruptive to human participants. If you'd like to bring your pup to class for the first time, send a quick message to the teacher ahead of time. Of note, there are occasionally emergency services vehicles with sirens passing by, so if your dog tends to bark or become anxious with sirens, Thistle Hall yoga classes may not be the best experience for them.

Question 4

Self-sufficient kids can participate in class

Accepted Answer

If a youngster can participate independently for the entire hour-long session, they are welcome to take the class with an adult. While there's no age limit, the rule of thumb is if a child can do the class  happily without needing to chat to anyone (including you) or play on a device or with toys, they can absolutely join you. However, kids that know each other (like siblings or friends) tend to distract each other and those nearby, and a parent addressing kids can be disruptive to the entire class. Also, kids can't be unsupervised in the building or in the waiting or seating areas during class, even if they are occupied with a device or otherwise.

Question 5

Seek medical advice for injuries or medical conditions

Accepted Answer

While Yoga can be a beneficial part of any health regime, participating with injuries or medical conditions is at your own risk, even if you tell the teacher about your situation. Yoga teachers aren't medical or health professionals and can't give diagnoses or treatment advice about injuries or medical conditions, or guarantee that moves and options in the class will be completely safe for your unique needs. If you are unsure about whether yoga is right for you, consult with a medical or health provider. A summary of factors to consider is listed below for your reference. 
In a typical Vinyasa-style class, the nature of exercise is athletic, energetic, moderately aerobic, continuous and repetitive. Yoga poses and transitions include (but are not limited to) deep and/or controlled breathing, balancing, rotating, laying down on the floor (face up and face down), inverting the torso (including forward bending), quick transitions to and from standing, stretching and load-bearing all limbs and the trunk, deep bending at the elbows and knees, pushing with the upper and lower body limbs, bracing and compression of the abdomen, twisting the torso, reaching overhead, side bending, flexion and extension of the spine, knees, elbows, wrists and ankles.

Question 6

Class is a safe space for everyone

Accepted Answer

There are no labels or identities that exclude anyone from attending class. In turn, everyone who attends class is expected to treat everyone with respect, dignity, privacy and non-judgement.While hosts of classes are welcoming and caring by nature, Yoga teachers are not mental health professionals, chaperones, guardians, carers or supervisors for anyone in attendance. Yoga teachers can't provide emotional, psychological, legal or advocacy support or advice to participants, and cannot guarantee that every factor of the experience in class will not adversely affect an individual's unique situation, or conversely that any factor of the experience in class will improve an individual's unique situation.If you would benefit from additional support, consider the resources available on Te Whatu Ora's website.

lauren strpko.com

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FAQ's

All levels are welcome, even first-timers

Bring a friend or two

Dogs might be there too

Self-sufficient kids can participate in class

Seek medical advice for injuries or medical conditions

Class is a safe space for everyone

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