Good morning! 
How’d you sleep last night? I finally got a good night’s rest. The past few nights, I haven’t been able to shut off my brain, so I’ve been tossing and turning and obsessing/worrying, but last night, I slept well. Thank goodness!
Last Night’s Dinner
Last night’s dinner was another four-ingredient recipe: Broccoli & Cheese Couscous with roasted broccoli, cannellini beans, and crumbled feta.
I cooked the couscous and roasted broccoli separately, and then just mixed everything together. Delish!
Mal and I sat down to dinner at 4:50 pm. Hello, early bird special!
After dinner, I enjoyed two pieces of whole wheat toast with almond butter and peanut butter and chocolate chips on top. Mmm!
Breakfast
This morning’s breakfast was whole wheat toast with peanut butter and banana slices on top. Nothing fancy, but still delicious, nutritious, and satisfying.
I also drank a glass of iced coffee with breakfast.
A few weeks ago, I bought a two-week unlimited pass to a nearby yoga studio. I paid $25 and used it to its full advantage. I attended five sessions in two weeks, so it worked out to $5 per class. Pretty good, right?
Unfortunately (for me), this offer was only a one-time deal, so I couldn’t buy another one, but I really like the yoga studio and my regular practice is doing me a lot of good. It has helped loosen my tight runner’s legs, increased my core strength, and improved my mood. (I’ve been a lot more pleasant lately!) The studio offered a number of membership options:
- Drop In Rate: $14
- 5 Class Pass: $65
- 10 Class Pass: $125
- 30 Day Unlimited Pass: $150
- 6 Month Unlimited Pass: $749
I really wanted to sign up for the 6 Month Unlimited Pass or even the 30 Day Unlimited Pass, but I just couldn’t justify spending the money, especially since I already pay for a gym membership. I realize that I can always practice yoga at home for free, but I just don’t get as good of a workout— I get distracted, lose interest, and don’t challenge myself as much as I would if I were in a class setting.
I took a quick poll on Twitter the other day, and it seems that these prices are pretty standard, so I bit the bullet and bought a 10 Class Pass, which works out to $12.50 per class. I probably won’t attend yoga classes as much, but maybe it’ll get me to take my at-home practice a little more seriously. Who knows, maybe I’ll reprioritize my spending so I can afford an Unlimited Pass?
Question of the Day
Why is yoga so expensive? If you take classes, how much do you pay?
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Yoga classes at studios are SO expensive! I bought a group exercise pass ($65) for the semester for all the classes at my campus gym, and I usually go to a few a week, including yoga once or twice. It’s a great deal, and the teacher/class is awesome, even if it’s not in a real studio. I’ll do yoga at home occasionally as well, but I enjoy classes better. I know when I graduate, I’m not gonna be able to afford a real studio, so I’ll probably try to find a gym that offers group exercise & yoga classes in the fee.
WOW.. I think those prices are a bit much! Almost $800 for 6 months unlimited??? That should be unlimited to at least 9 months.
Teen! In America, it’s the sport of wealthy women who have a couple hours to kill each day
@Erin:
my thoughts exactly.
i took this sociology of sports class (soc major here woop woop) a couple terms ago, and we learned/talked about why exercising in general is often expensive, monetarily and/or through the time it consumes (in a capitalist society, time=money).
i would also say though that a good, real yoga class (none of that hot yoga mess which completely exploits and commodifies the basic philosophy of yoga) with a quality instructor is priceless. my aunt has been practicing and teaching yoga for some 30 years. she’s constantly doing training workshops/retreats to increase her personal practice and thus the practice of her students. she’s even traveled to india many times for workshops/retreats.
education/experience isn’t cheap sadly
I agree with why are yoga classes so expensive?? I took advantage of deal at local studio in January and want to go back but just do not have the money. I get a much better workout in a studio environment, so maybe one day I will go back.
If anyone reads the comments all the way to here … check out if your studio has a karma yogi program. I work at the studio once a week for 5 hours and get free unlimited yoga in exchange!
Near east make such great almost pre-prepared food, I love that broccoli cheese one!
Ahhhh, yoga… I’ve just started on my own yoga journey (it’s LIFE changing, isn’t it?!?)–thanks to a Groupon–and I dread when I have to pay ‘regular’ price… which seem to align nearly perfectly to yours. Hurumph.
I used to think yoga was too expensive but no that Im a soon to be instructor it makes sense. Yogas a commodity like anything else and teachers put in time, money, and effort to deliver the goods. I think the price justifies the means and definitely adds value to your practice and the job of instructing yoga.
Could you use yoga DVDs? I started getting into pilates with DVDs instead of going to a time and money expensive studio. I love it! If I had to pick one, I would much rather pay for a gym membership than a yoga studio pass.
$9 per class for 8 classes at my local community centre. I like that I have class at the same time, same day, every week, and the instructor builds on what was taught at the previous class. I also like the community feel, since most attendees are from the local neighbourhood. And, there’s something about the instructor taking attendance that makes me show up to get my money’s worth – the incentive I need on those busy days when I just want to go home and collapse on the sofa. I always feel better after class!
I desperately want access to peanut butter and butterscotch chips. Life ain’t fair!
I practice at THE iyengar yoga studio in India (where Iyengar yoga started – the guru is still alive today) and it is 3600 rupees for four months (i go twice a week). 3600 rs = $80!! That works out to $2.50 per class
I don’t think I’ll ever pay for yoga after trying Jillian Michaels’ video “Yoga Meltdown.” I get it for free OnDemand, and it literally kicks my butt!
I do yoga once a week, I buy a 5 or a 10 class card. I have an el cheapo membership at Planet Fitness ($99 for an entire year) so I don’t mind paying to take classes elsewhere.
What’s going to make me a sad panda is when my buywithme deal for spinning runs out. I got a 10 class card for $20. I don’t know if I can afford full price spinning AND yoga once a week each.
Ive found that what I want out of my workout changes every couple of months- sometimes im SO into spinning, other times it HAS to be yoga…etc. I’ve given up on these 3 or 6 month passes for anything other than the plain old gym- because I dont get sick of running! If its a specialty class, i do better to pay per session- so I dont commit to something I might abandon for another activity!
Yoga is “so expensive” because yoga instructors go through intense, months–or even years–of training. They learn about every inch of the human body and psyche. That’s what makes them so amazing! I pay $12/class with a 10 pack to my favorite yoga studio. I’m not flush with cash, but given what yoga does for my mind and spirit, I would figure out a way to do it even if it cost more. It is worth every stinking penny for me. If it isn’t worth it to you, you probably haven’t found the right instructor that clicks with you. Namaste.
The roasted broccoli is awesome! My 2 1/2 year said that she liked the “brockey”. Also, your dessert with the chocolate chips is very good! Satisfies the sweet craving and keeps you from wanting to snack!
I would look for a yoga teacher who is humble enough not to blog about the commodity it has become.
I am lucky that my husband has always paid for a Y membership and I started going to yoga classes three years ago. Various teachers and classes and finally settled on one teacher who teaches m w f at 7:30 am. I love it so much that I go to every class and am in better shape at 63 than ever in my life. I love yoga and hate exercise. Yoga is just pure joy for me.
My gym offers yoga classes almost on a daily basis, and my membership is only 40 a month. However, I am hesitant to go because I don’t know where to start
I feel that I need a beginner class and have no clue what the class offered at the gym is…. I should probably peek in and figure it out.
You’re really getting me motivated to get on the yoga ball!
I used a groupon and received a deal that ended up being $5 a class. Not sure why it is so expensive…….
Even the student discounts I can thankfully score are $9 a class at a studio. My school offers occasional free yoga programs for students, but I’m pretty sure they’re open to the public with a small fee (maybe $7?). And I believe Schenley Plaza does outdoor yoga sessions in the summer which are a little cheaper than usual.
The price isn’t astronomical, and I do think it’s worth it. But as a college student lacking in funds I wouldn’t complain if it were lower >.>
As a owner of a studio I could totally lower my prices if more people came – I usually have only 2 – 6 people in a class – I was able to lower to 98 for a month of unlimited but still I have to make enough to keep the studio running and my bills paid – every single student counts – I would love to lower my prices even more to allow everyone the chance to get quality yoga.
Make sure to talk to the owner of the studio (if its a independently owned one) Most would be willing to do a partial or full trade for a skill you have or working in the studio.
Watch out for gym yoga the teachers usually (not always) have less training and too many people in class so they can’t keep an eye on everyone – videos are great but it’s good to go to studio so you know you are doing the pose right and not hurting yourself
It sucks as a trained teacher to hear that your expertise, knowledge, and real caring are not worth it to a lot of people – I thank the universe for people that realize that a good teacher is worth every penny – I truly appreciate and care about every single person that comes into my class. Try getting that @ the gym
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