Welcome to Total Wellness Co at Wards River. A yoga or meditation class is a place to go within, feel your body and breath and get to know yourself on a deeper level. Listed below are a few points on what to expect and to enhance your yoga experience and the experience of those around you.
Cancellation Policy (Massage, Reiki & other 1:1 services)
We understand that sometimes you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We kindly request that you provide us with at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling to help us maintain a successful and enduring business to serve our community. Cancellations or rescheduling made less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time will be subject to a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee will be 50% of the service fee. To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. You can reach us on 0428310933 (text message is preferred). If you fail to cancel and do not show up for your appointment, full service fees apply. Any exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of Total Wellness Co considering all circumstances.
Parking
Parking is available in the house yard, back in against the shrubbery with the front of your car facing the studio/hayshed or park out in the big shed just before the house yard gate.
What to wear
Comfortable clothing that you can move around in, nothing too big or baggy.
What to Bring
Please bring a water bottle and a sturdy blanket to use under your knees for kneeling poses and to cover up during savasana (see below for the meaning). If you have your own mat, please bring that too or use one of ours for now. You can bring a towel or a pillowcase to wrap around one of our bolsters.
Arrive Early
The studio doors open 10 minutes before class, so please arrive with time to relax and prepare yourself physically and mentally. If you are late and class has begun, please wait for the appropriate moment to quietly enter the studio without disturbing the class.
Barefoot Please
Please leave your shoes outside the studio on the veranda. The yoga studio is a sacred space where we move, breathe, meditate, connect together and we lay on our mats on the floor. Leaving the shoes outside is a sign of respect (and it keeps the floor sparkling clean too!)
Gadgets Off
Phones, watches, iPad - anything that dings, rings, or buzzes - should be turned off before class. Not only do you not want to distract others, but you want to be totally present in class without the outside world demanding your attention.
Personal belongings & mat placement
All personal belongings such as handbags can be stored just inside the entrance doors to keep your mat area clear and prevent tripping. Quietly and mindfully roll out your mat and align the front of your mat facing the teacher.
Book In
Please book into your class, details for booking in will be provided (not necessary for programs or courses). If you are unable to attend, please cancel your booking.
Get Your Props
Check out what props the teacher has on their mat and please grab the same props for yourself.
Your Well-being
You are responsible to advise the teacher of any medical conditions, physical issues or mental/emotional concerns you may have on the day of your class or in the past. We will offer guidance and variations based on this knowledge, however, also use your own wisdom and the sensations of your body to make adjustments during your practice.
Um...Smell You Later
Please do not wear strong perfumes or colognes as there may be sensitive noses in the room.
Chat Outside
Please enter the studio with the thought of leaving the world outside the door. Many students relish their yoga practice as a time to turn inward, become centred and to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Be Kind to Yourself
If you feel any pain or discomfort, please ease off and be gentle with yourself. There is no competition in yoga, so please move at your own pace and rest when needed.
Relax Man - Savasana
Savasana (corpse pose) is a super important part of the class where you lie down and integrate what you’ve learnt throughout the class, providing your body and mind with some deep rest. When you lie on your back, please spin around so that your feet are facing away from the teacher, the same applies during any laying poses (for modesty).
Clean Up
If you use any studio props, please put them away neatly, mindfully where you found them.
Take What You Learned with You
Hopefully by the end of class you’ll feel a great sense of invigoration, peace, relaxation, and inspiration. If this is the case, there isn’t a better way to show gratitude to the teacher and honour the practice of yoga than to spread this sense of peace to others throughout your day.
New Language?
Yoga uses the ancient language called Sanskrit. Some common terms we use are:
Namaste: We greet each other with the word, Namaste, which means “the spirit within me acknowledges and honours the spirit within you”.
Om (Aum): We begin each class reciting the mantra Om which is said to be the sound vibration of the whole universe. Chanting Aum is a great way to connect with that still, quiet space within.
Om Shanti: This means “Peace” and we finish each class with “Om Shanti” sharing out peace to all beings everywhere, including ourselves.
Namaste, Tarnya
