At nearly 40 bucks per class in some areas, restoring your balance and serenity through yoga isn’t a cheap venture. And if you take yoga classes multiple times per week, costs can quickly skyrocket into the exorbitant range for most individuals. After all, spending three figures per week on yoga classes seems a mite steep.
Of course, some yoga studios offer bundle prices or monthly memberships that give you unfettered access to their classes throughout the weeks and months. But why are these yoga classes so expensive? It comes down to several factors, including location, instructor education, and lasting knowledge.
How Much Do Yoga Classes Cost?
The cost of a yoga class varies drastically, with the low end starting around $10 and the high end tipping the scales around $300. Generally, you’ll find cheaper classes at your local gym or as a drop-in at your yoga studio, as these classes often cost between $10 and $30 (although some gyms offer free classes).
The most expensive yoga classes are usually private classes in the studio or online. Since you’re getting a one-on-one experience and dedicated attention and guidance from your instructor, you’ll usually pay considerably more for the class.
5 Reasons Why Yoga is So Expensive
While local yoga classes might seem excessively expensive, the cost isn’t without reason. Here are five reasons why yoga classes are so expensive:
1. Location
The location of the yoga studio plays a significant role in the overall cost of classes. If the studio is located in an upscale part of town, there’s a good chance that classes come at a premium cost. However, even if the studio isn’t in an upscale area, renting the space may still come at a premium, especially if it’s in a prime location.
A yoga studio needs to be wisely placed, as it’s vital that passers-by see the location. Additionally, the studio must be located in an area where it’s most likely to be seen by its target demographic, like by a yoga apparel store.
Since prime locations come at a cost, overhead expenses can be steep for the studio, leading to higher class costs.
2. Education
Your yoga instructor’s education plays a significant role in the cost of the class. While not all yoga teachers have completed schooling, many have completed extensive studies to become qualified.
If your instructor is certified and completed a yoga teacher course, they have put in hundreds of hours of work dedicated to learning their craft. These courses can be expensive, costing thousands of dollars to complete, but the price hinges on where your instructor attended school.
In many cases, the story is much the same for non-certified teachers who haven’t completed training courses. These instructors often have many years of lived experience and can communicate their knowledge as well as certified teachers who have completed the course.
Learning the practice of yoga is no easy feat. It requires an intricate understanding of the body and mind, which takes years of experience and study to master. Building this understanding requires lived experience and a deep understanding of the ins and outs of the practice.
Your instructor must learn how to safely practice the flows and sequences and understand how to guide students in them. When practiced without caution, yoga can lead to injuries, so it’s essential for your instructor to have a thorough grasp of the concept. Since yoga studios don’t typically employ inexperienced instructors, your instructor’s understanding of safety is another aspect you’re paying for.
So, when you take a course at your local yoga studio guided by an experienced instructor, you’re paying (in part) for your instructor’s education.
3. Lasting Knowledge
When considering the cost of a yoga class, it’s essential to understand the concept of lasting knowledge and how it relates to a yoga class. When you take a yoga class, you begin to learn the ins and outs of yoga, how it helps your body, smooth sequences and flows, and much more.
When you walk away from the studio at the end of the class, you take that knowledge with you. You learn a skill you can keep forever, and while you might not decide to become a yoga master, you still have that skill set to use whenever you need it.
So, when you pay the higher cost of your yoga class, you not only get to participate in a yoga class, but you also get to walk away with a baseline understanding of yoga and how it can help you live a healthy life. The knowledge doesn’t expire, so the price makes sense.
4. Living Costs
Like many other goods and services, the cost of a yoga class moves with the cost of living. After all, yoga instructors need adequate income to pay their bills, just like the rest of us, so they have to adjust the costs of their classes to accommodate changing circumstances.
In recent years, living costs have continued on an upward trend, so yoga classes are pricier than they once were. This is simply another factor that contributes to the price you pay for the class.
5. Popularity
Lastly, popularity is another reason for the higher cost of yoga classes. Yoga is incredibly popular worldwide, especially in the Western world. While yoga looks different around the globe, many Americans flock to what we know as yoga for its health benefits, creating a buzz of popularity.
Yoga offers numerous health benefits, from helping you get into better shape and achieve your fitness goals to improving your mental clarity and decreasing stress. And like most things that are good for you and healthy for your body, it comes at a cost.
How to Do Yoga On a Budget
A budget doesn’t need to stop you from participating in your favorite style of yoga or learning the practice to better yourself. If anything, it can be a building block in your learning curve, allowing you to better yourself and learn the craft before you fully commit to a paid class.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, here are a few tips and tricks to help you achieve your yoga goals:
Watch for Online Deals
Sites like Groupon, Living Social, and other similar ones can be helpful when attempting to keep your yoga budget to a minimum. Local yoga studios may run deals to encourage new customers to try their classes, so you might find amazing offers to studios in your area on these sites.
If you’re not opposed to driving a few extra minutes to try a different yoga studio, keep an eye out for deals at the studio across town. After all, it might end up being the perfect (budget-friendly) fit!
Use YouTube
Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of exceptional yoga classes are available on Youtube. You can find all sorts of styles, lengths, and levels in these classes, so they’re an excellent fit for yogis of all experience levels.
Only have a few minutes to incorporate a quick 15-minute morning session? No problem! Want something that will help you wind down for bed? You can find that too!
And the best part? It’s all free! Browse to find your favorite yoga instructor (or three) and subscribe to their channel. It’s a win-win: you get a free yoga class while supporting the instructor through views and a subscription!
Check at Your Local Gym
Many local gyms, both commercial and privately owned, offer yoga classes. Sometimes, you can participate in yoga classes at no additional cost – all you need to do is show up at the scheduled time!
Some gyms offer yoga classes for an extra fee, but generally, these fees aren’t overly high. In many cases, they’re much lower than those you might find in a dedicated yoga studio, so if you’re working on a budget, check for these deals.
Of course, availability varies based on the location and type of gym you go to, but it doesn’t hurt to check. Local YMCAs, community colleges, and recreation centers are all excellent places to check, as they often have inexpensive yoga classes.
