Whether you’re brand new to yoga, or you’re a seasoned yogi, there are free (or near-free) classes all across the Twin Cities to keep you warm this winter. No excuses: Get out there and move your body. It will thank you later, we promise.
But before you learn about the where to practice, we should also briefly talk about:
Yoga etiquette
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as yoga etiquette. With over 10 years of practicing at the yoga studios around the world, I’ve put together a list of what I know to be true about about the do’s and don’t’s of attending a class (especially when you’re not paying for it). I’ve also spoken with many instructors about their views. Here’s what they had to say:
DO: Meet someone new and talk before/after class. Check into class on time, and arrive 5-10 minutes early if possible. Clean borrowed mats (if you don’t bring your own). Register ahead for class (if this is suggested). Respect the space. Remove your shoes by the door. Put your props away at the end of class. Tell your teacher about any injuries or restrictions. Minimize your conversation during class. Make sure your pants aren’t see-through (for the good of the person behind you). Hydrate.
DON’T: Bring your phone (unless you silence it, or put on airplane mode). Enter during meditation. Skip Savasana. Try to impress ANYONE except your own inner self. Eat right before class.
BRING: Yoga mat, water, clothes (extra sweater – some places are in drafty, open spaces and the winter cold can creep in), friends/partners/family members, towel, props to aid your practice like blocks, blankets, and bolsters
Now, the yoga you came for:
Patagonia: FREE Vinyasa flow yoga every Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; all are welcome here for a fairly-intensive workout.
Address:
1648 Grand Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: (651) 698-1703
Lululemon: FREE Motivation yoga on Mondays from 8:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.; all ages and levels welcome.
Address:
870 Grand Ave
St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: (651) 222-3123
Chaska Parks and Recreation: Check each class for specific details on the schedule and cost. Classes vary by age, from kids (6-10 years of age), to tweens, and adults, as well as style of yoga, including restorative and vinyasa.
Address:
1661 Park Ridge Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 448-3176
Midwest Mountaineering: FREE Iyengar Yoga, a style of Hatha yoga with props, attention to detail, and slow-paced with a focus on alignment to prevent injury, Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 am. Store opens at 10:00 a.m., but a manager will let you in between 8:50 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Address:
309 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: (612) 339-3433
The Wedge Table: FREE, Gentle Vinyasa class by Brianna Darling, recurring Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Focus is on movement with breathe and self-care, meant for those seeking relaxation and meditation.
Pre-registration required.
Address:
2412 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404 United States
Phone: (612) 871-3993
St. Paul Union Depot: FREE yoga sponsored by Studio 925. Tuesdays (Intermediate) from 12 p.m. -1 p.m, Mondays (Sculpt) from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays (Vinyasa, all levels) from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. All classes taught in the Waiting Room.
No reservations or registration required.
Address:
240 East Kellogg St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (612) 202-2700
St. Paul Park and Recreation Board: search the boards for all free-to-low-cost yoga classes (and much more) and find the location closest to you. A few of the best are listed below:
- Edgcumbe Recreation Center: January 4th – May 24th, 2018; ages 14 to 120, $5.00, Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., and Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Drop-ins welcome for this Vinyasa-style flow.
Address: 320 S. Griggs St.
St. Paul, MN, 55106
Phone: (651) 695-3711 - Highland Park Community Center: prices and days vary, but they offer various times and days. Ages 18 to 120 (yes, 120).
Address: 1987 Ford Pkwy
St. Paul, MN 55116
Phone: (651) 695-3706 - North Dale Recreation Center: If you’re willing to be silly, try FREE laughter yoga, offered Monday’s on February 12th, March 12th, April 9th, and May 14th from 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This nonphysical yoga is all about deep breathing, so it’s a great opportunity to come and try something new/different.
Address: 1414 N. St. Albans
St. Paul, MN 55117
Phone: (651) 558-2329
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: search the entire list of community yoga classes to find what’s closest to your neighborhood. Some classes are offered for free, or for a modest fee, and some for what you might expect from studio. Lyndale Farmstead Park, listed below, is one of many that is offering yoga at a reasonable cost.
- Lyndale Farmstead Park: This facility offers Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. yoga, $4(resident)/$6(non-resident), and requires prior registration, ages 18 and up. Vinyasa flow, connecting movement with breathe is the focus for this class offered for all levels.
Address: 3900 Bryant Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN, US 55409
Phone: (612) 370-4948
Standard registration opens: Nov 1, 2017 12 p.m.
Last day for standard registration: Mar 31, 2018 9 p.m.
Internet registration opens: Nov 1, 2017 12 p.m.
Last day for Internet registration: Mar 31, 2018 9 p.m. - Core Yoga @ Van Cleve Park: FREE yoga for all levels
January – March, 2018 on Mondays 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Address: 901 15th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN, 55414
Phone: (612) 370-4926
And, if that’s not enough…
There are plenty of studios in, and around, the metro that offer free, one-week yoga memberships for new or prospective students. Many have one-day trials as well, but the bulk of them like to give you the opportunity to try out many different instructors and classes to find what works best for you. You’ll quickly learn that the instructor can be a big influence on your practice, i.e. some will fit your likes, wants, and needs more than others. Make sure to check your closest studios and centers to see what they offer. Try them all. Why not? They’re free (or near-free), after all.
Namaste.
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