By Guest Contributor Lynne Lessard
What will a yoga class cost you? Can you try it for free? These are questions I set out to answer when I conducted a quick, dirty and unscientific study of four Ottawa yoga studios: Elevate Yoga, Pure Yoga Ottawa, Rama Lotus Yoga Centre, and Upward Dog Yoga Centre.
The cost for a drop-in class at either of these studios ranges from $12-17. Buying class packages (e.g. 5 or 10 class pass) reduces your cost, and if you are planning on going four times a week or more, then an unlimited monthly pass is probably your best bet. Sounds steep for a student, right? Don’t worry – I’m here to tell you about special student pricing, and where you can find free (and almost free) alternatives.
Student Pricing (Yoga Studios)
At Pure and Rama Lotus, student discounts are generous, but limited. They both offer 50% off for full-time students with I.D. – but (of course there’s a but!), the discount only applies to weekday classes from 6:30am-4:30pm. Other classes at Rama (evenings and weekends) are 10% off for students, and are regular price at Pure. There is no discount on unlimited monthly memberships.
At Elevate, students receive 20% off of any pricing option, whereas at Upward Dog students receive 10% off unlimited packages.
Hundreds of people stretch-out on Parliament Hill on their lunch breaks every Wednesday at noon throughout the summer. Check out free indoor yoga options for the cooler weather!
Free Classes
In the summer, there are tons of free (and wonderful!) outdoor classes in Ottawa – including the ever-growing Parliament Hill yoga sessions on Wednesdays, and the newer yoga classes at City Hall and Tabaret Lawn at the University. All of these are worth checking out… until the temperature drops, and suddenly outdoor yoga isn’t quite so appealing.
In any case, you can find free classes offered indoors year-round:
- Art of Living and Health Promotion (University of Ottawa)
In partnership with the Art of Living, the University of Ottawa’s Health Promotion team offers a free class for students every Monday from 6-7PM in the 90U Residence lounge.
- Lululemon (Rideau Centre & Westboro)
There is a free yoga class at Lululemon Rideau and at Lululemon Westboro (340 Richmond Road) every Sunday from 9:30-10:30AM. Teachers rotate each week so you can experience a variety of the city’s teaching talent!
- Upward Dog Yoga Centre (Byward Market)
Every Sunday from 1-2:30PM there is a free “New Teachers’ Karma Class” at the Upward Dog. Each week this class is taught by a different recent graduate of their Yoga Teacher Training program.
Almost Free Classes
Besides the free classes you can score here and there, there are other economical alternatives:
- Free Trials
Most studios (and gyms that offer yoga) offer free or inexpensive trial periods. The Athletic Clubs (locations in Trainyards and Orleans) offer a free 7-day trial and have relatively inexpensive membership fees. Many yoga studios offer first-month deals, such as $30 for unlimited hot yoga for your first month at Pure Yoga Ottawa. Always ask about trials when it’s your first time at a gym or yoga studio!
- Karma Classes (By Donation)
Many yoga studios offer karma classes, meaning that you choose how much to pay, and the money is usually donated to charity. Check studio schedules for ‘Karma’ or ‘Community’ classes, such as the Community Class at Rama Lotus on Sundays.
City recreation programs, including yoga, are relatively inexpensive. You can find classes near campus at locations such as the Sandy Hill Community Centre and the Jack Purcell Community Centre. Check the City’s website for the most up-to-date ‘Recreation e-guide’ for dates, times and locations. The City offers student discounts and a free trial class.
- Daily-Deal Companies
Hopefully, as a student, you are already familiar with daily-deal websites such as Living Social and Groupon. Many of my first yoga class experiences came through these websites, where you can often score deals as good as 5 classes for $20.
There you have it – a glimpse into yoga on a shoestring budget in Ottawa! Don’t forget that you will need comfortable clothes (anything that you can move freely in, but that isn’t too loose), a water bottle and a yoga mat for any of these classes. Most studios offer mat rental (usually for a fee, occasionally free), but if you’ll be going back, it’s worth buying a yoga mat. You can get a mat at most sport and department stores, such as Winners, for under $30.
You may be wondering: “Why don’t I just practice at home in my underwear?” This is a great point, and I do strongly believe that everyone should practice at home in their underwear! But (see, there is always a but!), especially if you are new to the practice, it is important to have some guidance from a teacher to help you get in and out of yoga poses safely. Other benefits of going to classes are to help you challenge yourself, benefit from the energy of other people, and learn more technique to help you develop your own self-care and home practices.
Have you tried any of these free or cheaper alternatives? Have you found other great yoga deals for students? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!
Find out how you can win a free pass to Pure Yoga here!
Happy yoga-ing!
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