Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Community Classes

  • In support of our mission to make yoga accessible for everyone, we have a full calendar of public classes around Nashville that are either free or have a $5 suggested donation. These classes are in a variety of styles, from power flow to gentle flow and kids’ yoga to chair yoga.

    All are welcome!

  • Yes. We believe yoga is for every body.

    If you’re thinking, “I can’t even touch my toes,” you’re in the right place. In fact, you are why we teach! All of our community classes are designed to be accessible to any experience level, and we instruct people of all ages and abilities every day. We’re not here for Instagram-worthy flexibility; we focus on building functional mobility, physical strength, and mindfulness. All of our teachers are trained in trauma-informed yoga, and we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment.

    You don’t have to be able to touch your toes in order to do yoga. You just have to have a body! So if you’ve got one of those, come hang out with us.

  • You can sign up for any public community class here or through the MindBody mobile app.

    When you sign up through MindBody, you’ll create a MindBody account (if you don’t already have one).

    If you’d prefer not to use MindBody at all, never fear! Simply show up to your class ten to fifteen minutes early, and the teacher on site will get you all squared away. If you’re attending a $5 class and can’t pay through MindBody, we accept payment through Venmo, Kindful, and cash.

    The only exception to this is our Cheekwood classes (sign up for those at cheekwood.org).

  • Regardless of the style of yoga you choose, all of our classes are beginner friendly and our instructors are happy to guide you through any modifications you might need for your practice. We teach community classes in a variety of styles:

    • Power yoga: Build strength and cardio, improve flexibility and balance, and have a good sweat.

    • Gentle yoga: Build strength, improve flexibility and balance, and move at a slower pace.

    • Restorative yoga: Cultivate mindfulness, improve flexibility, and move slowly.

    • Family/kids yoga: Enjoy a fun practice for all ages, often featuring partner poses and games.

    • Chair yoga: Build strength and improve functional mobility and balance, all while seated in a chair!

  • If you own a mat, bring it! If you don’t own a mat, we have free mats available at some of our public class locations like the libraries but we don’t have them at every location, especially at any outdoor classes. Message us on socials or shoot us an email the day prior to check if mats will be available at the class you’re planning to attend.

    Bring anything else you’d need to be comfortable (water, a block, a face mask, etc.). If you’re attending a restorative or gentle class, you might enjoy some comfy socks and a sweater during savasana.

  • We’re so glad to have you! We recommend arriving at your class ten to fifteen minutes early to orient yourself, meet the teacher, and make sure you’re signed up properly. If you haven’t already signed our waiver (and possibly the location’s waiver), the teacher will ask you to do so.

    Other than that, roll out your mat and know that doing so helps us fulfill our mission to bring yoga to all!

FAQs for In-Studio Classes

  • Our Community Studio is the only non-profit yoga studio in Nashville!

    We offer high quality heated and unheated yoga in a full-service boutique studio with some of Nashville’s best instructors for only $10 per class.

    Every dollar donated at the SWY Community Studio directly supports SWY’s mission to connect people and create community through yoga. By attending a class at the studio, you play a role in increasing access to yoga at community centers, prisons, schools, recovery centers, homeless shelters, libraries, and more.

  • We heat our Studio A room to about 95° and use humidifiers. You will sweat. A lot. The heat elevates your practice and gives your heart, lungs, and muscles a more beneficial workout. The day prior to your class, drink plenty of water throughout the day. Hydration starts the day before!

    For class, wear breathable clothing, bring water, and take it slow. Take breaks when you need them, especially if you feel light headed. Your breath will be key to keeping you tuned in to your body. If you’re short of breath, take a seat on your mat and catch your breath, breathing in and out of your mouth, and resume your practice when you’re ready.

    After class, continue to drink lots of water to replenish fluids after all that sweating. Consistency is key to building up your tolerance to the heat, so keep coming back, and you’ll notice an improvement in your body’s (and mind’s) ability to endure and eventually thrive in the heat.

  • Yes, our Studio B room is unheated, and we offer restorative classes there twice a week.

  • You can sign up for classes on MindBody or ClassPass. It’s best if you sign up in advance, but we do allow walk-ins if the class is not at capacity.

    Particularly for your first class, please arrive 10-15 minutes before class to ensure enough time to check in and orient yourself to the space.

    The doors will be locked when class begins to protect student safety and respect their time. It is at the teacher’s discretion to let in students who arrive a couple minutes late. If you know you’re going to arrive right at class start time, give us a call to let us know.

  • A yoga mat and a water bottle! We have filtered water on site. A hand towel or mat towel is always a good idea, though we have these at the studio, too. Didn’t bring a mat? We offer $2 Manduka mat rentals and $2 full-length mat towel rentals. We also sell Manduka Adapt GRP mats for $96.

    We recommend comfortable, athletic clothing you can move and sweat in. We also recommend bare feet during class so you have better traction and stability (socks get hot and slippery!). You may leave your shoes and any personal items in the cubbies; we will lock the doors while the class is in session.

  • We have a lost and found corner in the studio. Feel free to stop by and pick up your items––studio doors open 30 minutes before a scheduled class. Additionally, you may email studio@smallworldyoga.org or call (615) 784-9642 if you have left anything.

  • Yes! We offer 5-, 10-, 20-, 30-, and 50-class packs for purchase online here or in person. We also have a monthly unlimited membership that auto-debits for just $99/month and gives you special perks. Additionally, you can purchase one month unlimited for $110 and one year unlimited for $999.

    We also offer gift cards here via MindBody, redeemable for yoga at the studio. They can be set to any dollar amount, and will be sent to the account of your choosing. You can also set this up in person at the studio if you’d prefer.

  • Yes! You can sign up for the waitlist of a class that’s already full. If someone cancels, MindBody automatically pulls people off the waitlist based on who signed up first.

    If you are moved off the waitlist, you will be notified via email up until one hour before class. You can always drop by the studio if you’re on the waitlist and try your luck to see if someone doesn’t show up last minute.

  • There is free parking in the lot in front of our studio, including five spaces specifically designated for Small World Yoga. There are a handful of spaces with public parking signs. We share our parking lot with several other businesses and organizations, so on weekdays during business hours, we ask students to avoid spots with signs for other businesses. On evenings and weekends, however, most spots are fair game. There’s also free street parking on 13th behind the studio.

  • Yes, we have two individual showers and rent bath towels for $2. We also have complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in each shower.

  • Yes, we have three private, individual stalls for all genders, separate from our sinks and showers. One stall is wheelchair accessible.

  • You can cancel registration for a class up to one hour in advance at no additional cost. If you cancel within one hour of your scheduled class, you will automatically be charged a $10 fee, unless you have one of our unlimited yoga packages.

    All purchases and donations for classes, workshops, events, and merch are final sale. If you have any questions or issues, please email studio@smallworldyoga.org.