STUDIO POLICIES, ETIQUETTE & FAQs
POLICIES
Reservations
We recommend you make a reservation so you are assured of your spot in class. If you are not able to make a class, please remove your reservation at least 2-hours prior to the class start time. We will allow drop-in participants on a space available basis. Those on the wait list will have the first opportunity for any openings.
How to Sign Up for a Class
Online: Click here to reserve your spot
Our App: Download the Studio app (search Studio Alaska) to view schedules and sign up for classes on the go.
iTunes App Store >
Google Play Store >
Phone: Call (907) 365-7393 to reserve your spot.
Drop-ins are welcome on a space-available basis.
Class Timeliness
The class start time is when we will begin our yoga journey together. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the class start time. You’ll be able to check in, secure your belongings, remove your shoes and connect with your fellow yogis.
We have a 5-minute grace period for you to enter the class after the start time. After the 5-minute window, to respect the class experience of all participants, we will not allow anyone else to enter Studio.
If you are running late, please call us to let us know so we can secure your spot. If a class is full, pre-registered spots will be given away to standbye students 3-minutes prior to class start time.
Mat Rentals (Currently Unavailable)
Mats are considered personal space, so we do recommend you bring your own to class. However, we have mats for rent if you forgot yours, or you want to experience yoga before you purchase a mat.
Age Policy
Our yoga practice is for participants 18 years of age and older, unless indicated in a class type and description allowing youth to participate in special class programs.
Cancellations
We have a 2–hour cancellation policy. You can cancel 2-hours prior to the class start time. If you do not cancel 2 hours prior to the start of class, package holders will lose a class, and members will be charged a $10 no show fee. If you are attending a 6am Yoga class, the waitlist will freeze at 10pm the night before. If you cancel after 10pm the night before class, it is considered a late cancel. Please call 907 245-2223 for assistance.
ETIQUETTE
Studio Vibe
We are a community of seasoned yogaholics, weekend warriors, yogi newbies, fitness fanatics, and just about any other kind of yoga lover you can think of. We are here to strengthen, empower, and guide you through your adventures in yoga. So whether you are looking for a new class to add to your workout regimen, a way to work up a sweat on your lunch hour, or just wanting to stretch out at the end of a long day, Studio is here for all of your yoga needs.
Be Mindful of Time
We get it: sometimes life can be hectic. But scurrying into class, slamming your mat down, and trying to get settled in is stressful for you and your fellow yogis. Give yourself 10-15 minutes before class starts to get your spot set-up, settle in, and bask in the breathtaking mountain views from Studio: this will make your yoga experience much more enjoyable.
Wear the Right Clothes
By right, we mean wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely but will not move when you are in various positions. We will get our sweat on, so moisture wicking material is recommended. Please bring your mat, yoga towel and water bottle. We have a Brita Hyrdration Station if you need to fill up before or after class. We also have mats and yoga towels for rent if needed. Remember, no shoes.
Go Easy on the Perfume
Yoga practice in a community space requires that we avoid wearing heavy colognes or perfume. It also requires that we use deodorant, as we will be testing its effectiveness! You breathe deep breaths in yoga, and are in close proximity of others. These lovely smells will come across very strongly during the session, so observe good general hygiene, and save the perfume for your post-yoga after-shower celebration.
Be Aware of Your Space
Because our classes are so wonderful, sometimes Studio can get a little snug. Be conscious of your fellow yogis and mind your steps so that you don’t end up on your neighbors mat. Speaking of being neighborly, if the class is a bit full, be efficient with your space and make room for your fellow classmates.
Turn Down the Volume
Don’t get us wrong, we love to chit-chat, especially with our members! But it can be a bit distracting when someone comes into class gabbing about how much they love Studio at The Alaska Club when others are trying to meditate or relax. When you enter Studio briefly greet your friends, settle into your mat, and relax until class starts.
Check Your Distractions at the Door
Please keep distractions (cell phone, conversations, today’s to-do list) outside Studio. They will be waiting for you when class is done. If you must have your cell phone, please keep it on silent.
Clean Up
Our Studio is pristine, not only in atmosphere, but also in attitude, and we would like to keep it that way. Please clean up all of your belongings at the end of each class, and if you really got your sweat on, there are spray bottles and towels to clean your area. If you borrowed a mat or anything else from Studio, please be sure to wipe it down and return it to the front desk.
YOGA NEWBIES & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are some of the benefits of hot yoga?
There are all kinds of benefits associated with hot yoga. Improved flexibility, strength, breath, toning, you name it, yoga is probably good for it. Working in a heated room also elevates the heart rate, which makes the body work harder. It’s really great for people who want a more intense workout, those who want to develop strength and flexibility, and those who want to tone along with a cardiovascular workout.
I’m not flexible: can I still do yoga?
Saying you’re not flexible enough to do yoga is like saying you are too hungry to eat. The first thing to remember is that flexibility is a product of yoga, not a prerequisite. Second, yoga is not solely about flexibility: it is also about strength and stability. Just as the tighter, more stable yoga student must learn to become more flexible, the already-flexible student must work to increase strength and stability.
What should I bring to class?
Though you may see many yogis running around town with all the lavish yoga accoutrement, you don’t necessarily need that for your first yoga class. Here is a simple list of the 3 things you should be bringing to Studio:
- Mat: As we have established, yoga mats are personal. Studio does offer mats for rent, but we highly recommend investing in one of your own.
- Towel: You WILL get sweaty in these classes. So unless you want sweat dripping into your eyes during downward dog, bring a towel.
- Water bottle: No one wants to be the person that faints during class. It is important to stay hydrated, especially during hot yoga.
Are beginners welcome at Studio?
Of course! Studio welcomes everyone from the devoted to the aspiring student. The great thing about yoga is that it can be as mild or intense as you make it, so go at your OM pace and enjoy! Everyone has to start somewhere, and what better place to start than Studio.
What are the heat levels like in Studio classes?
Classes range from 75 degrees to 100 degrees plus. Check class descriptions for details.
Is yoga a workout?
While it may seem mellow compared to heavy lifting or HIIT workouts, hot yoga can be challenging for any fitness level. Each posture combines flexibility, strength and balance to work your whole body from your bones to your skin. With persistence, patience, and dedication, you can lose inches and develop muscle tone and strength that might never come from other forms of exercise.
What and when should I eat?
We wouldn’t recommend eating a large meal right before you come to Studio, as you will be bending and twisting which usually doesn’t bode well on a full stomach. Fruits and vegetables are recommended as they are low in calories and have little to no fat, making them a light snack that won’t weigh you down or leave you feeling heavy. They contain carbohydrates and provide a natural source of sugar to give you the energy needed to perform and concentrate during class. Eat fruits and vegetables 1-2 hours before class starts.
How often should I practice yoga?
When it comes to yoga consistency is key. Regular yoga sessions improve balance, posture, flexibility, strength, cardiovascular health, digestion, mental focus and concentration, and lower blood pressure and stress levels. But as a beginner it is important to listen to your body and not push too hard, to avoid injury. Studio classes provide the structure and support that a new student needs to learn proper alignment and pose sequences.