Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Beginners are welcome in every class.  Please read our Class Descriptions page to learn which style class would be best for you. 

Trying yoga for the first time is just like trying anything else new such as a fitness class, sport or game.  There are technical aspects to learn about how yoga is practiced and how you move your body.  Approach your first few classes with an open, curious mind.  

In order to begin, you must allow yourself to be a beginner.  It's ok to feel confused, need to rest or need to watch as you learn about the practice of yoga.  After a few classes you will have a better understanding of how classes flow, how to move your body and how to use your breath.  

If you have any questions, feel free to ask your instructor before or after class.

We recommend wearing comfortable, breathable clothing that allows you to move freely such as fitted sports clothes. Avoid wearing anything too baggy or likewise too restrictive.   Yoga is traditionally done in bare feet however you may wear socks if you so choose.

Yes! New students are welcome to borrow yoga mats, blocks and straps.  As equipment stock is limited at each location, established students are asked to bring their own equipment.

• Yoga Mat
• 2 Yoga blocks
• Yoga strap
• Bottle of water

As mentioned above, new students are welcome to borrow equipment.

We recommend purchasing yoga equipment from Ekotex.  They are family-owned yoga manufacturer based here in Edinburgh. They focus on sustainable, eco-friendly products and packaging.  Use discount code 'TWISTANDBLISS' to receive a 10% discount! (Twist & Bliss Yoga also earns 10% from your purchase, win-win!)

• Please arrive 10 minutes prior to class.  To avoid disrupting class, late arrivals will not be admitted.
• BEFORE  yoga class, advise your teacher if you have any injuries, if you are  pregnant, or if you  have other medical conditions about which the teacher should be aware. Beginner yoga students, advise your teacher if this is your first ever class.  Your teacher will provide appropriate modifications.  However, you are responsible for your body.  If a  posture or movement doesn’t feel right, please don’t do it.
• Absolutely no use of technology during class.  No mobile phones or cameras.  If you wear a smart watch please ensure it is on silent and that the screen is in theatre mode.
• In most yoga studios, there is quiet before class as students take time to relax before class and maybe do a bit of their own movement to warm up.  Twist & Bliss Yoga is a little different for 2 reasons... 1. We don't have a lobby, 2. Most students attend the same day and time every week so they are able to get to know each other. Prior to our classes you are more likely to hear lots chatting and laughter. This gives our classes a wonderful community feel where students feel connected to each other and their wider community.

Practicing yoga while pregnant is a great way to take care of yourself physically and mentally however,  some postures can be dangerous during pregnancy.  

Due to the style of yoga practised in our classes, only experienced yoga students should our attend classes when pregnant and they must notify Twist & Bliss Yoga of their pregnancy prior to attending.  

You will likely be asked to arrive 30 minutes early to your first class so your instructor can provide advice on modifications.  Always remember, you are  responsible for your body and your baby.  If a  posture or movement doesn’t feel right, please don’t do it.

If you are new to yoga and would like to try classes while pregnant, please seek pregnancy-specific yoga classes.

For Yoga classes held at Waterfront Dance Studio in Davidson's Mains, please leave personal items such as bags, mobile phones,  shoes and coats in the changing room. Please avoid bringing personal  items into the studio where class is held. As the changing room is  adjacent to the studio, ensure mobiles are placed on silent mode or turned off completely so they do not vibrate or ring.

For Yoga classes held at Turtle Dove Play Cafe in Davidson's Mains,  place personal items at the back of the room.   Ensure mobiles are placed in silent mode or turned off completely so they do not vibrate or ring.

If you need to eat before yoga class, keep it light to avoid discomfort during class. Be sure you are well hydrated before class and  bring a bottle of water into the studio with you.  We recommend you keep your water bottle next to your mat for easy access during class, especially for warmer or more rigorous classes where you will sweat and need to hydrate during class.

After class, drink plenty of water and have some food to help your body physically recover.

Yoga students understand yoga poses and yoga concepts better by repeating them. By having a chance to practice a class flow multiple times, we have found that students feel more confident and are able to move deeper into their practice, both physically and mentally.

For this reason, we teach each class flow for 2 to 3 weeks. After week one, additional options are offered that allow students to increase their challenge, should they like to do so.  

The short answer is NO.  While life happens and people naturally run late from time to time, it is not acceptable to enter yoga after class has begun.  Why so strict when we are all trying to relax? It's specifically so that students can relax.  

The first 10 minutes of a yoga class is a time for grounding.  The teacher guides students toward letting the outside world fall away, to tune into how they are feeling, to relax their bodies and usually to practice yogic breathwork (pranayama). These are focused breathing techniques that often include the need to count. 

Now imagine... after a busy day you have made it to yoga.  You are settled in and starting to feel calm, centred and focused.  You are really looking forward to just breathing and moving meditatively, and relishing how renewed you will feel at the end of class..  Then... 6 minutes into your bliss...in walks a student...the door sticks and squeaks, her keys rattle, her coat rustles, her bag thunk onto the ground. She whispers, "Sorry, excuse me, sorry," as she squeezes herself in between mats and 4 other students who were blissfully meditating with eyes closed are now having to move their mats, blocks, straps, water bottles and jumpers.

What are the outcomes here?

• 1 late student thinks, "Phew! I made it. I was only a few minutes lates.  No big deal."
• It takes the teacher and the 12 other students about 15 minutes to let go of how inconsiderate the late student was and how irritated they are before they can become focused again.
• The teacher had to briefly pause class while mats were moved, remember where she was, refocus the class with extra breathwork and is now running late. Her playlist no longer lines up with her teaching.  She is playing catch up and making errors with her verbal queues due to class being altered which means she is struggling through class rather than creating a sacred experience for her students.  
• The students may never fully regain the focus they had.  Instead of focusing on their breath and movement, they are now making to-do list in their heads.  Class  just doesn't have the same feeling it usually does.  It's a bit spoiled.

So what do you do if you are the one running late?

Is it ok to run late in life?  Yes, it happens.  Is it ok to enter a yoga class after it has started?  No.  You will just have to miss this one.  Depending on what caused you to be late, you will either need to accept that 1.) occasionally things get in the way  of your plans, or 2.) that you need to plan better next time.   

Your teacher will greet you upon arrival. 🙂