Common Questions about Yoga at Spirit Bear

I’ve never done yoga before, where do I start?

You have already taken the first step by reading this!  There is no better time to start yoga then right now and we have some of the best yoga instructors in the Boston area to help you begin this wonderful journey.   All of our classes are All Levels, from beginners to the most experienced teachers alike and our teachers each have the skill and experience to take every student to their edge no matter the experience level of every student.   We also have a 4 week Introduction to Yoga series beginning the first Tuesday evening of every month. Click here for more information.

What should I bring to my first class at Spirit Bear?

Bring a yoga mat, water and a towel.  If you do not have a mat or water, we have mats available for rent for $2 and water for sale for $2.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, fitted clothes that stretch.  You will be upside down and your legs will be in the air so loose fitting clothing may get in the way.  You will also be practicing barefoot so please remove your shoes before entering the studio.

When should I arrive at the studio?

Please arrive 10 minutes before class starts.  This will allow you plenty of time check-in with the studio assistant and get your yoga mat setup and use the bathroom if necessary.  Please introduce yourself to the teacher and let them know you are new.  All of our teachers love to meet and talk with new students, so don’t be shy.

What if i am not flexible?

Yoga is not about bending your body into a pretzel. The goal of yoga is to improve your physical and emotional health and happiness. With that being said, with regular practice of 2-3 times a week, you will notice increases in your flexibility and improvement in your core strength.

How should I prepare for class?

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. We recommend drinking at minimum 16 ounces 1-2 hours prior to class, 16 ounces during class, and 16 ounces after class. Avoid large meals 3 hours prior to class.  In general, you should follow the same guidelines as if you were going to an aerobics, spinning, zumba class or any other athletic endurance training activity.

What if I am working with a previous injury or medical condition?

Always check with your health care provider prior to starting any new exercise regimen. Tell your instructor about the injury or medical condition (including pregnancy), s/he will let you know if there are any safety tips which you should be mindful of. Also, work with the limits of your injury. Forcing your body will not heal it. Be sure to inform the instructor of any injuries or limiting conditions you may have.

How many times a week should I practice yoga?

Once you get your first few classes behind you, we recommend practicing 2-3 times a week. We recommend 4 or more a week to see a personal transformation that includes the physical, the emotional and the spiritual elements of your body.   As with any athletic workout, the more you practice, the quicker the results and the faster you reach your goals.

Any thing else I should know about?

Just a few more things and then its time to pick one of our 30 or so classes a week and start your journey today.

• We have changing rooms available to use before and after class.
• Please make sure that cell phones and other devices that chirp, buzz and play tunes are turned off before entering the studio.
• Yoga is not competitive and there absolutely no judgement within the walls of Spirit Bear.  So come prepared to sweat as you find the edge of your physical and inner strength.

If you have any questions, comments or thoughts, please do not hesitate to call or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Can my son/daughter drop-in to a Spirit Cubs class.

The childrens' yoga classes are by series only.  We do not allow drop-ins.  Unused classes may be donated to a friend or sibling.

Is the studio heated?

No, we do not heat or humidify the air in our studio for our Spirit Cubs.  The studio will typically be between 70 and 75 degrees during class.

Where can I find more information about your Spirit Cubs programs?

Please visit our Yoga for Kids section of the website and of course, if you have any questions that we haven't answered, please call or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Why is the studio heated?

Muscles and tendons are like taffy, they stretch better when they are warm. In addition to safely deepening the stretch of the muscles, heat provides an increased cardiovascular response and enables the body to clear itself of toxins through sweat. You may experience a little discomfort during your first few classes, but please know that you will become accustomed to it faster than you think.

So how hot is it really?

For our Power Flow classes, the studio is heated to 95-98 degrees and we use 2 commercial humidifiers to increase the humidity of the air to 40-50%.  The studio is 80-85 degrees with no additional humidity for our Foundation Flow and Restorative Flow classes.

Should I bring my own yoga blocks and straps?

If you have them, you are more than welcome to bring them to practice with.  If not, we have plenty of blocks and straps available for you to use free of charge.

If I have a MindBody account at another yoga studio, can I use that account?

No, you will need to create a new account with Spirit Bear.  You can use the same username, password and email address if you would like.

Is my credit card account information safe when I buy classes online?

Yes, our website uses the industry standard security for online websites including https with 128bit encryption.  Your purchases are protected by McAfee Secure >  https://www.mcafeesecure.com/RatingVerify?ref=clients.mindbodyonline.com for more information.

If I signup for a class online and cannot attend, will I be charged a class?

Yes, but you can go online and remove yourself from the class and you will not be charged.  If you can’t cancel your class, just email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will take care of it for you.