I'm celebrating (albeit a few months early) because I've actually kept my New Year's resolution this year! Woo hoo!
It wasn't my usual pledge to lose weight, but instead I vowed to add yoga to my fitness routine in 2014.
Why yoga?
I've read about the health benefits of yoga for years, I've heard friends brag about how yoga changed their life, but I've never made time for yoga fearing it wouldn't really count as exercise. Fast forward to 2014, the year I turned 50, and the year that I began experiencing various “old age” aches and pains. My “light bulb” moment occurred when my husband started having knee problems from running, and the orthopedic surgeon recommended stretching. Yes, the simple act of stretching was the cure. Not pills, not surgery, just stretching. WOW!
Enough about the benefits of yoga…it's time to learn how to find a free yoga class because The Budget Diet girl believes you can get fit for free. I was lucky and knew our library offered 4 free yoga classes a week, but the West Palm Beach library is not your typical library, so chances are you won't find large groups of people doing downward dog at your library. No worries, The Budget Diet girl has 6 suggestions to help you find a free yoga class.
How to Find a Free Yoga Class
note: many free yoga classes accept donations
Free-Community-Yoga.Meetup.com – Meetup.com is a free resource that helps you find a group in your area, and in this case, we're looking for free community yoga. Click on the link and on the right side of the page, enter your zip code to find a free yoga class in your neighborhood. I just discovered that there's a free yoga class at the beach that I'll have to try now that the weather is beautiful in South Florida.
Yoga-In-The-Park.Meetup.com – This is another “category” on Meetup.com, and it works exactly like the one above. Bingo! I might have to try the free yoga class under the big Banyan tree at the park down the street.
Pay It Forward Yoga – My mother goes to a free yoga class in Hendersonville, North Carolina called Pay It Forward Yoga. It's free, and the instructor simply requests that you do something nice for someone else. Great concept! I was surprised to learn that this is fairly common, so do an internet search for Pay It Forward Yoga in your city.
Internet Search – If you haven't had any luck with the above options, do a simple internet search for “free yoga classes in ___________.” Yogis are generous folks!
MyFreeYoga.com – Still no luck? This website offers free instructional yoga videos for everyone. You'll find videos for beginners, power yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga and more. If you prefer doing yoga in the comfort of your home, opt for a free video.
DoYogaWithMe.com – Another source for hundreds of free yoga videos for every level.
Please leave a comment if you've discovered a free yoga class in your neighborhood. Also, here are more tips for exercising on a budget.
Namaste.
P.S. – I love my yoga class! It's the most relaxing hour of my week, and I feel wonderful. Treat yourself.
~~~~~~~
image courtesy of ambro, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
