Last night after yoga class a few of us stayed a few extra minutes to catch up and of course to chat about all things yoga.
And then the topic moved to the cost of yoga classes. And exactly how much is too much to spend on a class?
The true answer to that question varies from person to person, but I think that $10 is a reasonable maximum for a 45-75 minute class.
Who’s with me?
Of course even 10 dollars a pop adds up if you are going a couple times a week, but there are other, more affordable ways you can fit yoga into your lifestyle without going broke.
Buy a Pass: Most studios will allow you to take your first class for free so you can get a feel for the environment and then extend you a special first-time student pass. A lot of studios are doing 10 days for 20 dollar deals, or similar discounts.
Go Online: If you want to cut down on the time you spend commuting to and from yoga class and get a cheaper at home alternative look no further than your computer screen. My favorite go to site is Yoga Today, which allows you to buy podcasts and also try one new free video a week.
Join a Group: Starting on Thursdays a few of the ladies in my Monday night class and I will be meeting up for some evening yoga. Although it’s not a traditional class it will be close to free and there is built in motivation since my friends are expecting me to be there.
Look Local: Yoga is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of exercise, which means that now YMCA’s, Recreation Centers, and gyms are offering classes at fraction of the price you would pay at a private studio. Sure you may occasionally run into a more physical approach to the ancient art, but if you do your homework and find out what teachers are being taught by certified instructors you may be slashing the class price in half!
Home Hatha: The ultimate goal of all yogis should be to eventually bring their practice out of the classroom and into their home. Working with teachers is great as a beginner because it sets up a strong foundation, but as you become more familiar with the poses don’t be afraid to bring your practice back to your living room. Grab a pose book, some music and hit your mat.
How much do you think is too much for a yoga or fitness class?
What Kate Ate 
I really want to buy a package ata yoga studio near my house, but I think I’d go broke.
I think $10 is reasonable, but once it gets up to $15-20, I think that’s a lot!
I can’t afford to take classes, so I use Exercise TV that comes with my Comcast cable.
I love the yoga mat picture!!!!!
I have a hard time justifying paying for yoga since my gym is so cheap, but I’d think $10 a class was a pretty good deal. A pass is definitely the way to go tho!
I’m struggling with this problem now. I want to continue taking bikram, but my new visitor pass has expired and the cheapest pass is $115 for 10 classes. I realize that falls wonderfully close to the $10/class figure, but it certainly does add up.