Active Lifestyle

For years everyone has been saying how great yoga is for mind and your body (the environment as your workout is human powered).  As a person with lower back injuries, I can attest to the benefits of a yoga practice.

But as more and more people tune into yoga, the price continues to rise. An average one-time class is usually around $20, times how many classes you’d like to attend (two to three per week) and you can see how expensive it can get.  Most studios offer discounts when you buy in bulk or a monthly pass, but the average is still over $12 per class.

In this lousy economy, what is an aspiring yogi to do?  Find a donation-based class.  Donation based classes are just as good as regular ones, and will often go for a rate between $5 and $10, which will allow you to take many more classes and reap the benefits of continuous practice.    So in honor of the last few days of National Yoga Month (September)—we’ve put together a list of donation based classes taking place throughout L.A. where you can pay what you can.

West Side:

Yogis Anonymous: Brand spankin new donation-based studio in Santa Monica with a talented roster of teachers.  Location:  1221 2^nd St.  Santa Monica, CA 90401 http://yogisanonymous.com/

Yogaco: The self-described, largest, cleanest and greenest donation-based yoga studio in Santa Monica and located right in the middle of 3^rd Street Promenade. Its mission: Yoga is for everyone!   Location:   1408 3^rd St.  (3rd Floor) Santa Monica CA 90401. http://www.yogaco.com/

Venice/Marina Del Rey Beach Class: Just north of Venice Beach Pier, this beach class takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.  The suggested donation is $10.   http://www.meetup.com/ejyoga-com

Valley:

Black Dog Yoga: Teacher trainees offer donation-based Hatha I and II classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30.  Location:  4454 Van Nuys Blvd.  Suite 206  Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 http://www.blackdogyoga.net/

Body Mind in Spirit: Located in Woodland Hills, this studio offers yoga in addition to other classes like Pilates, Ayruveda and Thai Yoga (not by donation).  Location:  20658 Ventura Blvd.  Woodland Hills, CA http://www.yopipo.com/

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Mid City/Hollywood:

Guerilla Yoga: A $10 contribution is asked for the instructor.  Located at the Hollywood Dance Center near Highland and Melrose.  Location:  817 N. Highland Ave.  Los Angeles, CA 90038 http://www.guerillayogala.com/

LA Yoga Collective: This group bounces between three locations in Hollywood, the Fairfax District and Franklin Village.  Classes are pay what you can with a suggested $15 donation.  http://www.layogacollective.com

Yoga and Mediation Under the Trees: Run by Hilary Kimblan, this group not only does donation-based yoga in the Miracle Mile, but outdoor yoga hikes as well.  Check them out on Meetup.com at http://www.meetup.com/Yoga-Under-the-Trees-Ayurveda.

Runyon Canyon Outdoor Yoga: We’ve written about this class before. Multiple classes take place daily on the grassy field at the base of the canyon at the Fuller Ave. Entrance. http://www.myspace.com/runyoncanyonyoga

East Side/Downtown:

Shakti Box:  All classes are by donation with a suggested price of $15.  Classes available all day from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Visit website for complete schedule.  Location:  4640 Franklin Ave.  Los Feliz, CA 90027 http://www.shaktibox.com/

Yoga Circle: Do yoga in downtown—they even have lunch hour yoga for busy workers.  Suggested offering is $16 per class, but pay what you can and if you can’t pay—you can donate in other ways (e.g. time, services etc.)  Location:  400 S. Main St.  (Lobby) Los Angeles, CA 90013 http://www.yogacircledowntown.com

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South Bay:

Yoga Loft: Based in Manhattan Beach this studio holed lunch hour classes that won’t break the bank.  Location:  1112 Ocean Drive.  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 http://www.yogaloftmb.com/

Throughout LA and Online:

Lululemon Athletic offers FREE yoga classes usually on Sundays throughout its various locations from Calabasas to Pasadena and many places in between.  Find your local store and schedule at http://www.lululemon.com/.

Yogi Chocolate: YDT friend Sara Levere’s website offers donation-based yoga podcasts that are perfect for when you can’t make it to a studio or you’re traveling and on the go.  Your “fee” is shared with a non-profit partner.  Learn more about yogi chocolate here.

Our friend Joni Yung of Accidental Yogist has put together an even more comprehensive list of free, donation and less expensive yoga classes that will keep your costs on the downward dog.

If you want to discover other ways of “greening” your practice, look into recycling your old yoga mats and opting for one that is made more sustainably.  You can even green up your yoga outfit too.

Images via weblogs.cltv.com and blogs.yogajournal.com

Tags: Accidental yogist, donation-based yoga, free yoga, free yoga in Los Angeles