FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE YOUR COVID-19 POLICIES & SAFETY PROTOCOLS?

First and foremost, please BE HONEST about how you are feeling on any given day. Your wellness and safety, and the safety and wellness of our teachers, their families, and all we interact with is of the utmost importance. We are all in this together!

At Songbird we pledge to communicate openly and honestly, with courage and compassion, and invite you to do the same. If you are ill, please honor the yogic principle of ahimsa and "first do no harm." Video and streaming classes are available when you need to practice from the safety of your own home. Please respect your teachers and fellow practitioners and do not attend studio-based classes if you are feeling ill.

Songbird will follow CDC recommendations, as well as guidance from the Yoga Alliance, and any applicable municipal requirements. Since recommendations and requirements may change, we ask that you remain open to adapting as needed, too.

All of our teachers are fully vaccinated and, at this time, we ask that anyone who wishes to practice unmasked during studio-based classes present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. All new students must complete a waiver and we ask that you share any relevant health information with your teachers so that they can assist you in adapting for conditions such as high/low blood pressure, injuries, pregnancy, etc. Your vaccination status and any other personal information you share will be kept strictly confidential.

Mats in the studio will be placed six feet apart, though exceptions may be made for family yoga practices or private classes if families/members of the same household wish or need to practice in closer proximity.

You are welcome to practice masked and, at this time, we encourage all to wear masks when entering or moving around the studio, until safely distanced on your mats.

WHAT GEAR DO I NEED FOR STUDIO-BASED CLASSES?

Until further notice, Songbird will be a "BYOB" studio. Please BRING YOUR OWN:

Blanket/Towel/Mat
Block(s)
Belt/Strap/Scarf
Bolster/Meditation Cushion/Kneeler
Bottle of Water

All of the above is optional, of course, but blankets or towels, may be nice to cushion sensitive spots like knees, to dry yourself or your mat if you tend to perspire during more powerful practices, or to keep you warm and cozy while resting in Savasana. A wash cloth or hand towel may also be nice to rest your cheek/forehead as needed or to cover your eyes while resting.

Blocks can help "bring the floor up to you" and improve stability or foster deeper release in certain poses. A belt/strap/scarf (or even a sock!) can help extend your reach without overtaxing your body. And a bolster/cushion or folded blankets can help elevate your seat, knees, and heart and offer support for your back, hips and hamstrings.

Water is an essential element! Please stay hydrated and feel free to refill your water bottle as needed. If you come for a lunch break or happy hour practice, please feel free to bring your own snacks/lunch and stick around to chat with any yoga buddies who can join you!

Do feed your body what it needs to stay healthy and well, but give it time to rest and digest before practice. We recommend you allow at least an hour or more after a meal before stepping onto your mat. Otherwise, forward folds, twists, and belly-down back-bends, not to mention arm balances and inversions (or a whole host of asanas and vinyasas), are likely to feel rather uncomfortable.

Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely. Layers are recommended so that you can cool off or cozy up as needed.

STUDIO ETTIQUETTE

Studio doors open 15 minutes before each class. If you arrive early and find the doors locked, please be patient and "keep the peace." If the class before yours is still in session, people may be resting in Savasana and recording may be in progress. So please refrain from knocking and "listen louder" while you quietly wait for us to welcome you in for your practice.

Please remove your shoes when you enter the studio. We will provide space for you to stow your belongings or you are welcome to keep them near your mat. For security, doors will be locked during class.

Please silence your phone before class begins. If you need to respond to an urgent call/message, please step outside the studio to do so.

You may park for free on Swift, and limited parking is available in the lot behind the studio. Please allow time to park, use the restroom or change clothes if needed, and make your way to your mat within five minutes before class. We do our best to start and end classes on time. If you arrive late and find the doors locked, the instructor may or may not be able to let you in so please err on the early side when possible.

WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Part of the beauty of yoga is there are so many ways to practice! And while we believe yoga is for every body, no single style of practice is right for all bodies, all the time. All of us may benefit from a variety of practices, from more restorative to more strength-based, or from more flowing to more form-focused classes. If you're new to yoga, visit the Classes section of the website, ask any of our friendly teachers about our offerings, or email us with any questions/concerns: info@songbirdstudios.yoga

Different teachers have different approaches and even the same teacher may have a different approach to different classes. To "shop around" and find the right fit for you, try one of our class packages or explore the video library. Even if you have been practicing for decades and tend to prefer a particular kind of practice, you may find the need to adapt now and then to accommodate changes in your body, your environment, your life circumstances. The practice we need when we are grieving, for instance, may be different from the practice we need when we are feeling celebratory.

A few questions to ask before beginning any practice may be: "How do I feel right now?" And: "How do I want to feel during and after my practice?" Be honest. Be you. Just as you are, right here and now.