Your First Class at KBY

coming somewhere new can be weird. here’s what to expect when you come to kalamazoo backyard yogis.

getting here

we’re located at 1501 fulford st. #2 on the jerico campus in kalamazoo. we’ve included parking maps and photos below so you know where to park and which door is ours before you arrive.

our building is old and shared with other tenants. paths around the building include gravel and uneven surfaces. you may hear people in neighboring spaces, activity outside, or our HVAC system during class. we can’t control all of the sounds around us, but we do our best to make the space comfortable.

when you arrive (the yellow door under the stairs after you walk in)

there’s no front desk. at the bottom of the steps, you’ll find a whiteboard where you can sign yourself in.

shoes, coats, bags, and other belongings can be left on the hooks outside the studio door. please bring valuables inside with you.

the studio door usually opens about 5–10 minutes before class while your teacher finishes setting up. mats and equipment will already be set out for you, so you can come in and find a spot.

water, tea, and coffee are always free.

our bathroom is outside the studio and shared with the other tenants in the building. your teacher can point you in the right direction.

your phone

we’re not precious about phones. sometimes people need them nearby because of kids, work, medical needs, or life. just silence yours and put it away during class so it isn’t distracting to the people around you.

during class

our teachers have their own personalities, teaching styles, music choices, pacing, and ways of communicating. you may really connect with one teacher and not another. that’s okay. trying a different class or teacher can feel completely different.

you are always in charge of your own practice. you don’t have to do everything offered. resting is always an option. regular classes do not include hands-on touch unless explicitly stated otherwise.

this is a shared space

kby is a community space, not a polished wellness facility. we share our building, we hear our neighbors, sometimes the HVAC is loud, and sometimes life happens around us.

please respect the people practicing around you. folks have intentionally made time to be here, and for some people this might be the only real break they get that day. you don’t need to be perfectly quiet or serious, but please be aware of how you’re moving through the space and how your choices affect the people sharing it with you.

please try to arrive on time. if you arrive after class has started, wait outside until the opening reflection is finished before entering. if you know you need to leave early, let your instructor know before class.

make space for each other, clean up after yourself, and leave the studio ready for whoever comes next.

we’re a small studio

there isn’t a front desk or a big administrative team behind the scenes. much of our communication, scheduling, booking support, and day-to-day administration is handled by one person alongside everything else it takes to run the studio.

we care about your questions and will get back to you. please give us a little patience and time to do that.

if something doesn’t work for you, we want to know. questions, accessibility needs, concerns, and feedback are always welcome through our contact page.

you don’t need to know what you’re doing before you get here. book your class, find the door, sign yourself in, and come in.

we’ll take it from there.