We’re as surprised as anyone to hear that millions of Texans are big fans of yoga. In 2017, Yoga Journal’s “America’s Top 10 Yoga Towns,” included Austin and Houston, in fifth and 10th spot, respectively. Austin residents and visitors, they wrote, may “stumble upon yoga-themed dating events, yoga flash mobs to promote peace, and ‘bend and brew’ bar nights that pair yoga and craft beers.” Austin was also named ninth “yoga friendliest” city in America by BeYogi, a website for anyone who operates in professional yoga circles.
People love doing yoga because it’s a great way to get in shape, it makes you feel more flexible and helps reduce anxiety. Doctors say it lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and lessens patients’ response to pain. Because long term adherence to a yoga regime has been linked to better health outcomes, some insurance companies offer premium refunds after members complete a certain number of hours in the yoga studio.
But despite all of the scientifically-validated research showing the benefits of yoga, relatively few people have practiced it or plan to ever take a single class. Some people just aren’t very comfortable participating in group exercises, especially if it involves poses like the chair and the boat.
For a majority of Americans, taking a few yoga classes a month is just prohibitively expensive.
A handful of organizations across the country have cropped up over the past few years with the shared goal of introducing yoga to certain marginalized groups. Nonprofits like Community Yoga Austin brings classes to vets, convicts, people in recovery and homeless shelters. If your cash flow is tight, but you have a mortgage or a nice rental, you’re not an addict, nor have you ever served in the military, you can still find plenty of free or suggested-donation yoga classes here in our yoga-friendly town.
Free Yoga Austin, TX
Cherrywood Coffeehouse
1400 E. 38th ½ St.
Each weekday at 8 a.m., Cherrywood offers a free, 60-minute yoga class that’s open to the community.
Prime of Life Yoga at Laura Bush Community Library
9411 Bee Cave Rd.
Every third Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m., adults aged 35 and older can learn to cope better with stress by taking a breathing and relaxation-oriented yoga class.
Family Laughter Yoga at Westbank Libraries
1309 Westbank Dr.
Every third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., kids can learn basic yoga techniques through moves that incorporate clapping, deep breathing, directed movements and play.
Practice Yoga at Central Machine Works
4824 E. Cesar Chavez St.
The East Austin brewery has an all-levels free yoga sesh inside the Beer Hall at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Pure Action at the Manchaca Road Branch Austin Public Library
5500 Manchaca Rd.
Free yoga for seniors on Fridays at 1pm to 2pm. “This free class will improve strength and flexibility, alleviate stress and pain.” Pure Action provides mats, chairs and props.
Pure Action at Various Locations
Yoga is Medicine is a free weekly class open to the public for all levels at various locations around Austin. Participants can bring their own yoga mats or borrow mats provided by Pure Action.
- Wednesdays at 6:30pm, Foundation Communities Trails at the Park, 815 W. Slaughter Ln.
- Thursdays at 11:15am, Seton McCarthy Community Health Center, 2811 E. 2nd St.
- See Pure Action’s calendar for more information about free yoga classes.
Free Yoga Austin Sessions, Wells Branch Library
15001 Wells Port Dr.
No registration required for these all-levels yoga sessions.
If Thursday mornings are not convenient, then maybe you can make it on Tuesday evenings.
1st & 3rd Thursdays, 10:30am-11:45am
2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:45pm
Website
Suggested Donation
Sanctuary Yoga
Morning Flow is a daily, all-levels yoga class that encourages mindfulness through a series of classic poses and breathing exercises. “This class aims to be energizing, nourishing, and at times, moderately challenging to help you expand your personal practice.” See Sanctuary Yoga’s slate of suggested-donation classes.
“All classes by donation!” at Practice Yoga Austin (PYA)
1103 E. 6th St.
The way PYA feels about it is that it’s better to pay what you can than to completely miss out on the gift of yoga. They simply ask that you pay something. Seems fair.
How to Find Free Yoga Austin Classes
When we’re looking for a free or suggested-donation yoga session in Austin, we check the Free Yoga ATX calendar at the Unconventional Vegan. Site owner, Erica Wollman, already has a full slate of no-fee yoga classes for the remainder of 2020. But it’s not just libraries and coffee shops that offer free and low-cost yoga sessions, amazing studios all over Austin run deals on classes, memberships and special events throughout the year. Warrior II Yoga in North Austin has a low-cost $10 pass for all new students and steep discounts for students, teachers, seniors and more. Dharma Yoga in Central Austin has an amazing introductory three-class pass for $45. At $7, Your Yoga in South Austin has one of the lowest drop-in rates we’ve seen.
If you’re a yoga instructor or a yoga studio owner, you couldn’t be better situated here in the Austin area. There are literally millions of yoga enthusiasts and wannabe students living anywhere from South Austin up to Round Rock and Georgetown! We can help you fill up classes and sell more studio memberships by marketing to Austin locals. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP with our no-pressure strategy for how we could work together.
