Frequently Asked Questions:

I am brand new to Yoga, what class should I attend?

Perfect. You have options. Any class that says Basics is for you. Basic Fundamentals is a slower paced class with lots of attention given to detail. Basics Flow is an active series using foundation level poses with lots of attention given to grace, strength and ease.   In either class you will learn breathing, healthy alignment, basic asanas (poses), and the philosophical infrastructure of yoga.

What should I bring and wear to class?

Bring a yoga mat if you have one. If you don't have a mat, you can rent a yoga mat or purchase a Manduka Yoga Mat at Balancing Monkey. Bring a small towel and water. Come in clothes that you love to move in. Please make sure your feet are clean since we practice with them bare.

When Should I Eat?

         We encourage you not to eat or drink caffeine for at least 90 minutes before practice. If you need to eat before class, eat a small energizing snack that will satisfy you but not make you feel full. Drink plenty of water throughout your day.

What is Yoga Studio Etiquette?

1. *Please be punctual. We know life gets busy. If you do have to come to class late you are still welcome. You may enter the studio quietly after the opening invocation.
   

2. *Talk quietly. Part of coming to class is celebration of community. Please feel welcome to chat with other yogis but do so in a way that doesn’t disturb people trying to sit quietly before class.
   

3. *Sign in and pay for class. If you are new to the studio please fill out a new student form and then sign in on the class sheet. If you are paying cash you can place your money in the wooden bowl and make your own change. If you have any questions about how many classes you have on your pass, please just ask.
   

4. *Please turn cell phones off. Of course if you have kids or need to be on call you are welcome to put your cell phones on vibrate next to your mat.
   

5. *Inform Instructor.  Please let the instructor know if you have any injuries. Also ladies let the instructor know if you are on you cycle.
   

6. *It’s your practice. Always work within your own limits. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your intuition and TALK TO YOUR TEACHER if you have questions. Yoga is lifelong practice and you should never get hurt in class.
   

Can I pay for class with my credit card?

Yes. Sure. But we ask for a $24 minimum purchase

What’s in a name?

Beyond being the year of the Monkey when we first opened in 2004, and our kudos to Hanuman...we wanted the name to communicate something tangible, yet precarious. We recognize that the practice of yoga asanas puts us into all kinds of awkward positions and then asks us to to simply breathe through the assumed circumstance. We chose the name "Balancing Monkey" mostly to make the space inviting, light, playful and to remind us that yoga is a process. It is not that we finally get balanced. We are always balancing.

As Casual yoginis we are of the belief that we are simple vehicles for transformation, surrounded by the constant invitation to open ourselves to our changing world. At the core of our yoga studio is the intention to create a place of sanctuary to practice openness, to gather, to share, to challenge, to exhale, to accept, to find out what makes us each uncomfortable, and to celebrate what it feels to be twisted and turned all upside down.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that literally means, "to yoke". It is a practice of returning to wholeness. Alan Watts called Yoga the "Zen of India". That rings well for us, it makes stepping onto our yoga mats a casual ritual of doing nothing and a challenging practice of stilling the fluctuations of thought... One hand clapping in namaste...to feel connection, to feel the yoke of breath and body, movement and mindfullness.

When coming to class at Balancing Monkey, please just come. You do not need to make a reservation but are welcome to do so online.