Frequently Asked Questions

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!

Read on for more Frequently Asked Questions, and 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

For each class you’ll need a mat (you can rent one from us for $2 if you don’t have one, and it's free on your first visit!) and we recommend you bring a water bottle and a towel if you get sweaty.
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.
We recommend you bring your own mat. If you don’t have your own, we have mats available to rent for $2 (free your first visit!).

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.
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.
We recommend you take off your socks to reduce slipping and sliding during the practice.
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.
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!
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.
Namaste is common greeting used in India; 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!
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!

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!
If you plan to join us for livestream classes only, then we have special pricing just for you. If you want both in-studio and livestream access, our All-Access pricing plans include both! But if you're not based in Austin or just don't ever plan to join us in the studio, our Livestream pricing is your best option. Click here for Livestream pricing!
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.

You can view a sampling of 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.
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!
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!
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! :-)

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!
Yes! We sell the yoga gear that we think is the best on the market (mats, props, etc.). We also carry a variety of beautiful Oak + Lotus branded merch, like shirts, coffee mugs, and water bottles.
While we do not rent the studio for one-off events, we are absolutely open to mid- and long-term subletters outside of our regular hours! Email Alia@OakAndLotusYoga.com for more details.
Yes! We offer digital gift cards that you can customize however you'd like. Just click on "gift certificates" under the "prices" tab in our website menu, or just click here!

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 beginners who are interested in the flow style of yoga start with our Relaxed Flow classes before working their way up to their level of comfort. If you're interested in deep stretching and mental recharge, try one of our Yin classes!

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 & Steady 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.
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.
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!
The practice space is a shoe-free zone, so please leave your shoes in the lobby before entering the studio. You'll know you're in the shoe-free zone because you'll feel our magical foam floors under your feet!

Socks tend to make your feet slip on the mat, so we recommend practicing barefoot. But of course, feel free to do what makes you most comfortable!
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, check in with how you're feeling that day, and set your intention for your practice. ds or today’s practice before you begin moving.
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.
Nope, you're always welcome to just walk in for a class as long as there's space. But signing up ahead of time ensures you'll get a spot, and can be a great way for you to get your schedule organized and commit to yourself that you're going to show up!
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 won't be charged!
Click here for our address, directions, and a map!
Yes! We have plenty of free parking!
From any page on our website, click the “Schedule” tab in the menu at the top of the page. Or just click here!
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!
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.
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. You do still need to check in if you've signed up for class ahead of time.
We have a lovely powder room, but we do not have showers.
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.
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.
We can upgrade you at any time! Email info@OakAndLotusYoga.com with your request and we’d be happy to take care of that for you.
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.