Your Yoga Class Checklist

Article by Dylan Robertson.

Every time I prepare for a class, I always forget something. So do many of my yoga instructor friends. I’ve even seen a couple of them teach classes in jeans because they forgot their yoga wear. So, although I felt silly doing it, I decided to make a little checklist that I read before I leave home for teaching a class.

Here’s what I pack in my bag on my way to teach a yoga class. What do you pack in yours?

1. Student Registration Forms (English/Japanese)

   
   To be filled out by first-time students with their contact details, an emergency contact, and agreement to a liability waiver.

2. Spotlights, Spare Bulb

   
   As is typical in Japan, the lights in the community hall where I teach are bare fluorescent tubes that are quite harsh and not at all relaxing. So, I turn them off and use these spotlights to illuminate parts of the walls to achieve some relaxing and indirect illumination.

3. Incense, Matches, Saucer

   
   I like to burn various types of incense in class. Sometimes I use incense bought at a Buddhist temple, other times I use fancier/trendier aromatherapy fragrances. The cone type ones tend to be easier to carry without being damaged and require a smaller saucer to catch the ash.

4. Small Towel, T-shirt, Pants, Socks, Plastic Bags

   
   Tokyo is home to many yoga venues that are not equipped with showers. After class, all you can do is change your clothes, spray some deodorant, and hope for the best!

5. Yoga Mat

   
   Unless you’re teaching at a proper yoga studio or fitness club, you’ll just have to bring your own.

6. YogiToes Skidless

   
   I use a YogiToes Skidless to make sure my mat doesn’t slip and bring two more for students who show up without mats. I usually teach in Japanese-style rooms with tatami mat floors. These have some softness, so you can just roll out the YogiToes Skidless and practice that way.

7. Room Booking Receipt

   
   The community hall staff are unlikely to forget me (very unusual to have a tall white guy coming in to book rooms for yoga classes), but you never know. Better have proof on paper as backup.

8. Pens x3

   
   Murphy’s Law says at least two will stop working and you’ll lose the other just when you need students to fill out the registration forms. So, stock up.

9. iPod, Speakers, Power chord

   
   If you want music. If using an iPhone, remember to put it on Airplane Mode so that you don’t get calls while teaching.

10. Water Bottle

    
    That is self explanatory. About half your students will forget to bring theirs. Most people in this country are dehydrated and don’t drink enough water, so set an example. Note: you need to tell students that drinking water during and immediately after asana practice is generally counter productive.

11. Money box

    
    I use this for collecting class fees when I organize my own classes in community halls. There are usually one or two students who don’t pay, though, so be patient. Assume the best: perhaps they forgot. Remind them at the end of each class.

12. Chimes

    
    To gently wake people from the final relaxation pose at the end of class. Much nicer than having to raise your voice and possibly startling them.

Did I forget anything? What do you take along with you to yoga?