Room Set-up & Class Preparation

You, the teacher, are in charge of the set-up and all aspects of the environment of the space. It’s your job not only to create a safe and sacred space, but an environment conducive to learning.

Greeting: arrive early to interact with your students, greet each student individually with a smile or hands folded in namaste;  engage each student with eye contact at least once during the class

Feng Shui: ask students to align their mats in rows; if the class is crowded, ask students to stagger his/her mat; the teacher places two mats crossed at the front and one mat to the right of the room for demo of triangle/side angle

Props: ask students to collect a bolster, block, and strap before the class begins;  retrieve a set for yourself

Timing: start and end class EXACTLY on time each and every time you teach. There are disturbing consequences for the following teacher and group of students if you end late.

Heat/windows: control the air temperature (recommended setting is 78-80 deg) and windows – ask your students kindly to check with you before making adjustments to either the thermostat or windows;  turn the temperature down between classes to save energy; NEVER leave the thermostat turned up if you are the last class of the day – conserve energy.

Bathroom door: keep the door to the WC closed at all times

Video review class: nametags – give each student a nametag placed on his/her mat; each teacher will wear a nametag on his/her shirt above the right side of the chest (please use a thick black ink magic marker and not a regular blue ink pen)

Your space: set-up cross mats and have your ritual items (such as bells or Tibetan bowl), notes, your class plan, poems or sutra book nearby; do NOT bring your cell phone into class and do NOT check messages inside the studio or hallway; if you are in between classes, go outside to make your calls.

Incense/sage: do not burn incense during class as those with asthma will be irritated; sage after each class burning ONLY 1-2 leaves at a time, avoid burning the stem.

Transportation: ride your bike, take public transportation, or carpool to get to the studio; be prepared to give directions to new students

Information: supply your students with current information regarding the studio, such as holiday schedules, upcoming workshops and events, and new classes.

Closing Procedures - if you are teaching the last class of the day…

• Turn off A/C in summer; in winter, turn down heat to 62 degrees (do not turn off heat completely as the pipes may freeze)
• Close all windows
• Turn off all lights
• Lock and deadbolt all doors, including office doors (Moksha Riverwest)