Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
I often hear people say they would love to do yoga, but it’s too expensive. When I first started doing yoga consistently, I was not able to afford a studio membership, so I definitely get it. However, over the years I have learned there are a few ways you can do yoga classes on the cheap if you are strapped for cash.
- Search for online yoga. There are free youtube videos (Tara Stiles and Yoga with Adriene are popular), there are free apps, podcast classes, and you can even subscribe to online programs that are a lot cheaper than studio classes. I did a lot of youtube yoga before I was able to afford a studio membership!
- Use platforms like facebook, instagram, and meetup.com to search for yoga groups in your area. They will often host/post about free/donation based yoga classes around town. This is also a really fun way to meet new friends!
- Many studios will offer at least one karma class (free classes) or a donation based class (usually with a recommended donation of $5 or $10). Search studio schedules on Mind Body, or reach out to them and ask.
- Reach out to studios and ask if they have a karma program. A karma program is where a yoga student who cannot afford a membership exchanges labor for free classes. For example, they will clean the studio before/after class, or run the front desk in exchange for a class. If the studio says no, you can always ask if they would be interested in making this arrangement with you.
- If you have a skill or provide a service, you can always ask a yoga instructor if they would be interested in bartering for private lessons. For example, if you are a massage therapist, you could swap an hour of massage for an hour of yoga. My yoga teacher was a hair dresser before she got into yoga, and her yoga instructor would swap private classes for hair cuts/colors. Make sure it is a fair trade for BOTH parties.
Have any questions? My inbox is always open! Namaste.