One thing that I have learned is the importance of mat positioning in the room. My yoga room is a big rectangle with mirrors across the front and windows across the back. The room can hold four horizontal rows of mats from front to back but generally a class size of three rows is much more comfortable for everyone.
Different people have different preferences of where to place their mat. Many even come extra early so that they can place their mat in the same spot every time. The mat placement quirks remind me of superstitious athletes that need go through the same routine before every game. Watching mat placers is great fun. Sit up one day before class and just watch how many people stress about their mats and towels.
Some tips and tricks on placing your mat:
- At the Front, At the Mirror - the vanity position – you need to be good - everyone is watching, it may mess you up watching the teacher backwards in the mirror, if your my age you just don’t need to see that much detail.
- Back Row - without my glasses it’s really tough to see yourself in the mirror from this far back, this is where people who want to make a quick exit position their mat, a great place for a beginner to hide
- Near the Side - if you have trouble balancing, position yourself at the wall to use the wall and cheat in balance poses, beware, the side wall is not as anonymous as you think – the whole class is watching you at during Warrior 2 or during side stretches.
- Middle Row, Middle of Room - my spot, pretty exposed but good site lines to mirror and teacher
** One final note – beware of positioning yourself near heavy breathers, they can ruin your concentration and your practice. Heavy breathers are a lot like pre class posers. They are self centered grandstanders that are a menace to the practice. They believe that if their breathing and sighing is louder than the people around them, that they own the room. Don’t be fooled, they are either out of shape or shameless attention seekers. Good Luck placing your mat.
