What are your Studio Policies?
Please thoroughly read our STUDIO POLICIES before attending any in-person classes. In this document, you will find information on our location, arrival/departure, props and mats, registering for classes, cleaning and disinfecting, use of HEPA filters, etc.
Other general studio policies – we ask that you remove your footwear upon entering the studio and please do not walk on the practice space with shoes on. We also ask that you please turn your phone on silent during practice.
Where is the entrance for The Yoga Loft?
We are located at the very back of the REBUILD Physio building on the upper level at 1221 King St. E. Cambridge (Preston). Our entrance is at the BACK of the building at the top of the exterior set of stairs.
Where do I park?
The parking lot for The Yoga Loft is located right next to our stairs/entrance, on the corner of King St and Union St. There is also plenty of street parking on Union Street and both sides of King Street.
Please note, there are a few spaces reserved for other tenants near the front of the building (tenant spaces are marked).
Is the studio physically accessible?
Unfortunately like many yoga studio spaces, ground-level spaces are not financially feasible. Our studio is on the upper level, so stairs might be a barrier. Once inside the studio, there is one small step up onto the studio floor from the waiting area.
Our full yoga schedule is also available virtually for members, which we hope will help to remove some of the barriers if the physical studio space is inaccessible. If you are not a member but wish to access our virtual classes, please speak to Sandi.
Are classes accessible and inclusive?
Yes! In terms of our accessibility of our classes, we seek to make our teachings as accessible as possible and can accommodate students with a wide-range of levels, experiences and needs. We have a large variety of props to assist in making poses more accessible and we are happy to offer different suggestions or modifications to make yoga work for each person.
Our studio is inclusive of individuals from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We are a space where human rights are respected and where Two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people, and their friends and allies, are welcomed and supported.
Do you have change rooms available?
We don’t have a designated change room. We do have a gender-neutral washroom which you can use to get changed, or please come dressed for yoga.
Do I need my own mats, blocks, etc…?
We ask that you bring your own yoga mat if you have one, but we do have a limited supply of mats to borrow if you don’t have one.
We love using props at The Yoga Loft! We have plenty of studio blocks, straps, knee cushions, vinyl bolsters, blankets, etc. which you can borrow while in the studio. We do ask that you spray and wipe them after using with our sanitizer. If you prefer to bring your own, you’re welcome to do that as well of course.
I’m brand new to yoga and unsure about what to wear.
Wear comfortable, stretchy clothing. Name-brand yoga clothes are NOT a necessity! A t-shirt or tank and stretchy pants, track pants or workout shorts are all great options. Most people are more comfortable with shirts that gather/cinch a bit at the waist or tuck them in, so that when they are bending forward, their shirt doesn’t lift up. Please wear what you are most comfortable with.
Do I have to practice in bare feet?
We want you to feel comfortable. There is no right or wrong way to practice yoga. Most people practice flow or power yoga in bare feet, because yoga mats can sometimes be slippery with socks, and for some people, bare feet helps the sensation of feeling grounded. However, other people simply prefer to leave their socks on, and that is totally fine too. Clean indoor-only shoes are also an option if that feels better to you.
For gentle, restorative classes (where slipping on a mat is not a factor) socks are great, especially if your feet tend to get cold.
Do you have hot yoga (and our personal thoughts on hot yoga)?
We try to keep the room at a comfortable temperature for practicing yoga, however we do not have a hot studio.
Our personal experience and philosophy is that when a yoga space is heated too high, it can deplete your energy. You are also at risk of over-stretching (or hyperextending) without realizing it, or slipping due to excess sweat, leading to possible injuries or strains. There are also times and conditions when hot yoga is not medically advised (such as during pregnancy, heart conditions and blood pressure issues, etc). Hot, humid environments are also breeding grounds for bacteria and we do our best to keep our studio clean and safe.
Another part of our philosophy is that when yoga is done mindfully and with attention to the breath, that you are able to create your own inner heat. This “inner fire” enables the yoga student to potentially practice more challenging forms of yoga, if so desired.
Do you offer physical assists or adjustments?
No, we do not and have never offered physical adjustments or hands-on assists in our public group classes (even pre-covid). We teach with a trauma-informed lens and feel that physically adjusting students is outside the scope of practice of a yoga teacher and is not in keeping with our teaching ethics. Our main priority is personal agency, autonomy, comfort and safety for all our students.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to CONTACT us.