frequently asked questions
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first-timers' guide to visiting oak + lotus!
Welcome - we're so glad you're here! When you first walk in, head to the check-in desk in the lobby. One of our team members will greet you, get you signed in, and give you the grand tour. We'll show you where to put your stuff and where all the important things (like the snacks and bathroom!) are around the studio. Then we'll show you where and how to get set up in the studio, and introduce you to the teacher.
Please do your best to arrive at least 10 minutes before your class is set to start. That will ensure that we have enough time to show you around and get you set up!
Feel free to email our team at Info@OakAndLotusYoga.com at any time if you have any questions or feedback!
And if you haven't already signed up for your first class, you can do so right here.
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What is the right class for me?It depends on your level of experience and how you’re feeling today! Oak + Lotus Yoga has a number of different class offerings to meet the diverse needs of our students. You can learn about them all here, or read on for our recommendations! New to Yoga? We recommend that beginner yogis start with our Relaxed Flow classes before working their way up to their level of comfort. Want a balanced practice that features both relaxing and energizing sequences? All of our Medium level offerings will do the trick. For a slower, more alignment-focused practice that is still a challenge, check out our Slow & Sweaty Flow. Are you an experienced student looking to get sweaty with a fast flow that challenges you mentally and physically? Energetic Flow is a great option.
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What are your COVID Policies?Click here to view our current COVID Policy.
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What should I wear?Don't worry, you don't need $100 yoga pants ;-) Just wear something comfortable that allows you to move freely but won't get in your way as you move. So nothing too tight or constricting, and nothing too loose and flowy either. Typical workout clothes usually do the trick, like T-shirts or tank tops and stretchy pants. For guys, basketball shorts or track pants work great.
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Do I need to bring a yoga mat?We always recommend that clients bring and use their own yoga mats. But if you don't have one, no worries - we have mats you can borrow! You can use one of our mats for free the first time you visit us; after that, there's a $2 mat rental fee. And if you love our mats, they are available for purchase in our shop!
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What about my shoes and socks?The practice space is a shoe-free zone, so please leave your shoes in the lobby before entering the studio where you class will be held. Socks tend to make your feet slip on the mat, so we recommend practicing barefoot.
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What is centering?We begin each class at Oak + Lotus Yoga with a period of Centering, where you find stillness in a comfortable pose and bring awareness to your breath. This important part of class gives you an opportunity to transition away from your busy day and its accompanying thoughts, and to check in with what your body needs for today’s practice before you begin moving.
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What if I'm late?If you arrive late, we’ll let you in after Centering (the first few minutes of class where we're quiet and breathing together), but no later than 15 minutes after class begins. The Centering rule is so that clients are not disrupted during that initial period of quiet, and the 15 minute rule is for your own safety - it just isn’t safe to jump into the class that long after it has begun.
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Do I have to sign up ahead of time?Nope, you're always welcome to walk in. But signing up ahead of time can be a great way for you to get your schedule organized and commit to yourself that you're going to show up!
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What if I sign up ahead of time but don't make it?We understand you may not always be able to make it to a class you have reserved. There is no fee for cancellation and you do not need to let us know that you can’t make it. If you don’t show up, we just cancel you out of the class and you will not be charged!
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How do I find you?Click here for directions and a map.
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Is there parking?Yes! We have plenty of free parking!
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Where can I find your schedule?From any page on our website, click the “Schedule” tab in the menu at the top of the page.
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What are your prices?We offer two categories of pricing: All-Access and Online. For folks looking to practice in-studio, or a mix of in-studio and online, our All-Access pricing is for you. If you don't live in the Austin area or only want to practice online, then our Online pricing is for you. Click here to see our All-Access pricing list, and here for Online!
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What forms of payment do you accept?For security reasons, we are a cash-less studio. We do accept all major credit cards, and are happy to keep your card on file to make future purchases convenient.
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How do I check in for class?Before entering the practice space for class, please stop by the front desk and check in with our team by giving them your full name.
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Do you have a restroom and/or showers?We have a lovely powder room, but we do not have showers.
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Do you have a changing room?No, but you are welcome to get changed in our powder room. Please just plan to come a little early if you need to change before class.
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If I become a Member, can I freeze my membership for vacation or an injury?Yes! It’s a $10 fee to apply a freeze. (The fee is waived for medical freezes, including pregnancy freezes!) Email info@OakAndLotusYoga.com to freeze your account.
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How do I upgrade my membership?We can upgrade for you at any time! Email info@OakAndLotusYoga.com with your request and we’d be happy to take care of that for you.
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How do I downgrade or cancel my membership?To cancel or downgrade a membership, email info@OakAndLotusYoga.com. Changes will take effect as of your next billing date; we do not offer pro-rated refunds.
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What do I need to bring to class?For each class you’ll need a mat (you can rent one from us for $2 if you don’t have one) and we recommend you bring a water bottle and a towel if you get sweaty.
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What should I wear?We recommend you dress comfortably and wear clothes that allow your body to move. Typically, stretchy pants, workout tops, athletic shorts and well-fitted t-shirts are great for yoga.
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Do you provide mats?We recommend you bring your own mat. If you don’t have your own, we have mats available to rent for $2. Our rental mats are the same as the mats we have for sale in the studio, and we think they're the best on the market! If you want to purchase a mat, we recommend you rent one and give it a try before making the investment.
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Why do I have to leave my shoes outside of the room?The interior studio is a shoe-free zones because we want keep the floors as clean as possible. This is also a nod to the Indian custom of removing one’s shoes before entering a home, holy place, or any place of importance, out of respect for the space.
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Can I wear socks when I practice?We recommend you take off your socks to reduce slipping and sliding during the practice.
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Can I bring water into the studio?Yes! Feel free to keep some water next to your mat while you practice and pause for water breaks whenever you need to! If you need to step out for water or to use the restroom during class, you are of course welcome to do so at any time.
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What are these blocks, blankets & straps for?"Our yoga props allow you to customize your practice to your body's unique needs. For each class, we always recommend 2 blocks and a blanket. Some teachers recommend using a strap, depending on the class. Don’t worry, if you have no idea what to do with them, the teacher will fill you in!
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Why is everyone quiet at the beginning of class?We begin each class at Oak + Lotus with a few minutes of Centering, where you find stillness in a comfortable pose and bring awareness to your breath. This important part of class gives you an opportunity to transition away from your busy day and its accompanying thoughts, and to check in with what your body needs for today’s practice before you begin moving.
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Why do you say “Namaste” at the end of class? What does it mean?Namaste is common greeting used by Indian people; while it is commonly used by Hindu people, it has no specific religious meaning. It simply means: “I bow to you”. We say it at the end of a class to honor ourselves for coming to the mat, our neighbors for sharing their practice with us, and the roots of the yoga practice. You are welcome to say it back to the teacher if you'd like, but you don't have to!
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Why is everyone lying down at the end?Savasana is the final pose of each practice. It is an opportunity for active rest - a period of stillness and silence that allows your body and mind to soak in the benefits of the practice you just completed before making your way off the mat. The purpose of Savasana is complete release and relaxation, so feel free to use our props to set yourself up as comfortably as possible!
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How Do I Join an Online Class?To join us for a class online via Zoom, all you have to do is sign up for the class before it starts. You can do so on the Schedule page on our website, or from the MBO App on your phone. Make sure to check the class name and ensure that you're signing up for the Online version of the class. You will receive an email with the Zoom link 30 minutes before class starts. Click the link to join the class, and that's all there is to it!
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How Much do Online Classes Cost?If you plan to join us for online classes only, then we have special pricing just for you. Our In-Studio pricing plans do include online access. But if you're not based in Austin or just don't ever plan to join us in the studio, our Online-Only pricing is your best option. You see Online pricing under the "prices" tab in our website menu.
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How Do I Listen to Music During an Online Class?We do not broadcast our music through our Livestream. If you would like to have music playing during a livestreamed class, we recommend that you use a second device to play your music, because you can't hear both the Zoom audio and a separate music player through the same device.. So, for instance, you could view the Zoom through your laptop and use your phone to play your music through an external speaker. Some teachers will share their playlist link with you via the Zoom chat box before class starts so that you can listen along. You can view Alia's playlists at www.AliaJKhan.com/Listen . Just find her "Master Playlist" for the class type that you are taking (I.e. "Master Relaxed Flow") - she updates her master lists each week with the playlist she will be using.
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What Should My Zoom Settings Be?Audio: You are welcome (and encouraged!) to chat with the teacher before and after class, but during class we ask that you keep yourself muted. Video: We highly recommend that you keep your video ON during class and angled in such a way that the teacher can see your whole body throughout class. This way the teacher can watch you during class and will know if you've fallen behind, if you're confused and need a demo, if you need a specific instruction for your alignment, if the suggestion of a prop would be useful, etc. It's also very helpful for the teachers to pace their own teaching if they can see you. So really, everybody wins if you keep your camera on! But of course, if for any reason you are not comfortable keeping your camera on, you're welcome to shut it off. View: You may want to spotlight the teacher, but given that we often do not demo (so that we can watch and teach y'all instead), you may find it more useful to stay in grid mode so you can see what your friends are doing. Totally up to you!
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When Should I Log In?You are welcome to log in a little early - 5 min or so - for class if you'd like to chat with the teacher beforehand. We highly recommend that you do this if you need to share any important information with the teacher about your practice, such as an injury that you're working with or any requests you have for class. And you're always welcome to stick around after class and chat with the teacher and your friends!
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If More Than One Person is In The Room Taking Class With Me, Do We All Need to Pay?Just like our in-studio classes, we expect that all people taking class pay for the class, even if you're all logged in through the same Zoom feed. However, this is definitely a loophole in our system that we cannot solve, so we're on the honor system here and we certainly would never call anyone out if we see multiple people on camera when only one person is registered. We just hope that you love and support us enough not to do that! :-)
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What makes Oak + Lotus different from other yoga studios?Our down-to-earth and practical approach to teaching yoga, our emphasis on connection and community, and our uniquely beautiful retreat-like space make Oak + Lotus a studio like no other. Our highly skilled teachers know how to make all bodies feel welcome, safe, and comfortable on the mat. We offer a wide variety of classes for all levels of experience and to fit whatever mood you may be in on a given day. And we always have chocolate. To read more about our Mission and Philosophy, click here.
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Do you sell retail products?Yes! We sell the yoga gear that we think is the best on the market (mats, props, etc.). We also carry a variety of home decor and self-care products in our lobby.
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Can I rent the studio for an event?It depends on the event! Email info@OakAndLotusYoga.com to find out more.
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Can I purchase a gift certificate to your studio?Yes! Just click on "gift certificates" under the "prices" tab in our website menu.