Students in tree pose during Charles MacInerney’s free yoga class (Credit: Charles MacInerney)
Austin is among the top cities in the country for yoga. The offerings continue to grow alongside other booming industries here, and rightfully so. The harder we work, the more we deserve opportunities to relax, breathe, and let go. Thankfully, many establishments are offering wallet-friendly yoga class options.
It’s not that I don’t think a good class or workshop isn’t worth upwards of $20. But it can be good to mix it up with free events here and there. I’ve compiled a list of several unique yoga offerings in Austin: from big studios, to coffeeshop yoga, to pop-up outdoor classes. Here’s where to find free yoga in Austin–or at least donation-based–on every day of the week.
Monday
This way to free yoga in Austin (Credit: Cherrywood Coffeehouse)
Kick off your week with free morning yoga at Cherrywood Coffeehouse…and come back the next day, and then the next! That’s right, Cherrywood holds free community yoga every week day from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. All levels are welcome and mats are provided.
And although yoga is its own reward, reward yourself twice by treating yourself to a fresh Cherrywood breakfast or specialty espresso drink afterwards. It’s the least you can do to say thank you to this local business, for providing such a relaxing start to every day.
1400 E. 38th 1/2 St. – Website
Tuesday
Students attend a pop-up class with Yoga For All (Credit: Yoga For All)
Come out and support Yoga For All, a donation-based pop-up yoga concept that splits a portion of proceeds with local charities. On Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., the organization holds an outdoor class at Mueller Lake Park. The suggested donation is $10-20.
Yoga For All is made up of a team of talented and passionate teachers from all over the country. Check the website calendar to see which other days classes are available, and which other surprising locations they pop up at!
4550 Mueller Blvd. – Website
Wednesday
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Prime of Life Yoga holds a free adult yoga class at Laura Bush Community Library on Wednesdays. All you have to bring is a mat, and to show up wearing something you can move in!
Prime of Life is a style of yoga that is gentle in nature. It aims to reduce common aches and pains, manage weight, posture, and gait, and encourage restful sleep. Luckily, yoga and knowledge go hand in hand. Peruse the library selection before or after your 6 p.m. class.
9411 Bee Cave Road – Website
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Thursday
Credit: Practice Yoga Austin
Dark Yoga is a community that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 p.m. at Practice Yoga in east Austin. There is a suggested donation of $10, and mats are available to rent for $1. The late time slot makes it convenient for people who work late, or simply prefer activities a little on the nocturnal side.
Note that Dark Yoga classes are held later than Practice Yoga’s regular classes, so they don’t appear on the online schedule. For further information, check the community’s Facebook page.
More good news: if you’re more of an early bird, the rest of Practice Yoga’s classes are also donation-based.
1103 East 6th St. – Website
Friday
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Luckily for south Austin yogis, Sanctuary Yoga has transitioned into being an entirely donation-based studio! Sanctuary is a nonprofit that supports the Amala Foundation. The schedule is packed full of diverse classes every week day, with the first Friday class typically beginning at 7 a.m. and the last beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Weekends are typically reserved for workshops and Greenbelt yoga hikes.
1006 S. 8th St. (off Treadwell) – Website
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Saturday
The dance floor at Indra’s Awarehouse doubles as a yoga space on Saturday mornings (Credit: Indra’s Awarehouse)
Awaken Inner Fire is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading yogic knowledge in the Austin community. On Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the organization hosts a free yoga class at Indra’s Awarehouse. Classes are taught in the traditional Hatha style, mixing in meditation and yoga nidra. The group recommends you bring a small cushion to sit on and a blanket to stay warm.
7904 FM 969 – Website
Sunday
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Most Austin yogis have visited or at least heard of Black Swan Yoga. It has three conveniently spaced locations in Austin (south, central, and north) and also has locations in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. Classes are donation-based, with a suggested donation between $10-20. All classes are heated, and there are a range of beginner and vinyasa flow classes to choose from.
The past couple of times I’ve been to Black Swan, the classes were totally packed. So it’s a good option if you enjoy hobnobbing with your neighbor. Sunday classes run all day, typically from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Multiple locations – Website
Bonus: Free Monthly Yoga Class in Austin
Students waiting for Full Moon Yoga to commence (Credit: Charles MacInerney)
An Austin tradition since 1992, Charles MacInerney leads a free outdoor yoga class every month on the evening of the full moon (or as close as possible to the full moon). MacInerney holds yoga, meditation, and writing retreats, and is a published author and gifted speaker. The full moon class is a wonderful gathering, and a service to a community MacInerney cares deeply for.
Dates and times vary from month to month, so check the website for updates.
@theAustinot wants to know:
Where is your favorite place for yoga in Austin?
The original version of this article was published Jan. 29, 2014.
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