Yoga on the Cheap: 7 Ways to Practice Yoga at Home
Skimping on spiritual, physical and mental health by forgoing leafy greens or not taking that much-needed vacation isn’t a great idea. One simple, money-saving, healthy action you can take? Skip a few teacher-lead yoga classes a month. Instead, download a few yoga podcasts or start reading yoga blogs, and do your yoga at home. Online yoga classes and tutorials, and yoga books and magazines are full of valuable information that can supplement any yoga lover’s routine.
Yoga Online (podcasts, blogs, and videos)
Yes, when focusing on positive affirmations and deep breaths it’s best to avoid all things electronic. But the Internet can be a great source for finding valuable, inexpensive information about yoga.
Yoga videos:
Gaiam TV: Gaiam’s yoga video service carries online yoga classes, films about yoga and meditation and yoga information from experts. Try the 10-day free trial, and if you like it, subscribe for $9.95 a month.
More of a listener than a watcher? Download one of the following yoga themed podcasts:
And for the yoga-lover addicted to her blog feed-reader:
Yoga DVDs, CDs
Yoga DVDs are another cheap alternative to daily classes. With a bit of research, you can easily find the yoga DVD that best suits your needs (whether you want to amp up your spirituality, or merely increase core strength) and expertise.
Yoga CDs are great supplements to daily classes or at-home routines. Choose audio that’s designed to help you achieve the goal you’re striving toward, such as maintaining focus or balance.
Yoga Reading (books, magazine)
Oodles of books and magazines have been published to help yoga-lovers learn more about the practice.
A magazine that incorporates many of the above elements (videos, downloads, apps, etc.) is Yoga Journal. Much of the magazine’s content is available online for free. A year, print subscription costs $16.95.
Free Yoga Classes
Check local yoga studios and community centers’ class schedules to find out if there are any free courses offered. Often times, yoga providers will offer a few free classes a month that are open to the community. The idea: to welcome new people to the practice, and make it accessible to all. These courses are often easy, but can be very fun and introduce you to like-minded people.
Image: stephanski
