7 Surprising Ways to Get Free Yoga Classes
Yoga is a great way to take care of your mind and body — but classes can be pricey. As the cost of a drop-in class ticks past $20, you may find yourself thinking, “Vinyasa flow? In this economy?”
The good news? While some yoga classes are expensive, many are free — if you know where to look.
“There are more free and low-cost options out there than people realize,” yoga instructor Caitlin Moyer told us via email. “They just might take a little extra digging to find.” Here are seven places to start your search for free yoga classes.
1. Yoga Studios
Is there a yoga studio you’d love to try, but you just can’t afford? Take a closer look. You might find free classes have been hiding there all along.
“If there’s a studio or teacher you’re drawn to but can’t afford their rates, reach out,” Moyer said. “You might be surprised — many offer sliding scale pricing or can point you to upcoming free or donation-based classes. Volunteering or assisting with setup is also sometimes an option in exchange for access.” Here are a few options to run by the receptionist at your local yoga studio.
Work-for-Yoga Programs
What if you could sign up for yoga classes with time instead of money? At many yoga studios, you can. In exchange for cleaning up or answering the phone, you could earn a free yoga class. This kind of arrangement is sometimes advertised as a karma yogi program. Traditionally, karma yoga refers to the path of selfless service, but studios often borrow the term for something that’s a bit more transactional.
The terms and conditions vary by studio. Breeze Yoga in London, England, asks karma yogis to tidy up after the class they attend: five minutes, one class. Yoga Pod in Boulder, Colorado, requests a 3-hour weekly cleaning shift in exchange for unlimited classes. Either way, it can be a good deal for you and the studio.
Community Yoga Class
As you scan your local yoga studio’s class schedule, look for this keyword: “community.” (You can also keep your eyes open for “donation-based” or “pay what you can.”) Classes with this label are intended for, well, the community. They may be significantly discounted or free.
Free Trial
Free trials aren’t just for streaming subscriptions. Some yoga studios let you try before you buy. American chain CorePower Yoga offers a week of free classes before you commit to a membership.
Save Money Outside of Taking Free Yoga Classes
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2. Parks
Every year from May to October, Moyer hosts a yoga class at a public park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It may not take place in a cushy yoga studio, but it’s still a yoga class — one with a special connection to the outdoors. “Each class starts with a grounding exercise, and I usually center the practice around a theme or intention,” she said. “From there, we move through some mat work, then into a standing sequence, sometimes work toward a balance or peak pose, and finish with a cool-down and savasana.” The local parks department reserves the space, and Moyer leads the class. She accepts donations, but all students are welcome.
Check your local parks department events calendar to see if they are hosting outdoor yoga near you.
FYI: Free yoga classes are often BYOM (that is, Bring Your Own Mat) affairs.
3. Libraries
In the colder months, Moyer moves her donation-based yoga class to a local library. The free winter workout attracts a diverse group of students: young and old, experienced and new to yoga. Perhaps because of the unusual setting, “the vibe is relaxed and low pressure,” she said.
Does your local library host free yoga classes? Check its website or ask a librarian to find out.
4. Churches
Churches are more than places of worship — they are community centers. They often host a diverse array of community events, including yoga. Take a look at your local churches’ websites or notice boards for free classes. And don’t worry: you don’t have to be religious to attend.
5. Work
Do you work at, say, Google? You might get free on-campus yoga, which you can attend between ping-pong games and espresso breaks. Even smaller, less glamorous organizations sometimes offer yoga. Depending on your workplace, it could be a regular occurrence at the in-house gym, an occasional team-building exercise or a benefit of your workplace wellness program to redeem in your off-time. It can’t hurt to ask HR!
6. Online Search
There is free yoga all around you. At art museums, coffee shops and outdoor supply stores; at breweries and doggie daycares. Sometimes, the best way to find these classes is a simple online search.
Facebook Events
Facebook may not be the most popular social media platform anymore, but you know what it’s still really good for? Events. Facebook Events is full of free, cheap and donation-based yoga classes. “That’s where I’ve promoted and discovered many community classes myself,” Moyer said.
Meetup
Meetup is a platform devoted to nothing but events. Type in your ZIP code and “free yoga” and see what comes up.
Pro Tip: Don’t just search for “free” yoga classes. Try terms like “pay what you can” and “donation-based.”
7. Online Streaming
If all else fails, there’s always YouTube. “Even 10 minutes of movement at home with a YouTube video can be a powerful yoga practice,” Moyer said. And as long as you’re willing to sit through a few advertisements, YouTube yoga is free. Pop on a channel like Yoga With Adriene or Akshaya Agnes and transform your home into your studio.
While YouTube hosts thousands of high quality free yoga videos, it’s not the only place to find them. Do Yoga With Me is a yoga-specific streaming service with plenty of free classes to choose from.
Getting Free Yoga Classes is Possible
Whether you’re doing downward dog in a public park or trying crow in the privacy of your studio apartment, you’re still a yogi. “You don’t need the perfect outfit, expensive gear or a fancy studio space,” Moyer said. “If you’re breathing with intention and moving with awareness — you’re doing yoga. And you belong here.”
Plus, the practice of yoga is so much bigger than expensive studio memberships. You never need to pay a cent to learn about the diverse physical, mental and spiritual traditions that fall under the umbrella term of “yoga.”
Contributor Ciara McLaren is a freelance writer with work in Huffpost, Insider and elsewhere.
