One thing that might be more stressful than working in New York City is paying to live here. Even trying to relax is expensive. How am I supposed to clear my mind after I’ve just paid $100 for a single yoga class? I don’t know about you, but spending money makes my stomach twist more than bicycle crunches ever could. After I learned that expensive meditation sessions make me doubly anxious, I started researching free yoga near me. Even if tons of studios stay in business because us anxious souls need a quiet and professional space to chill, it turns out that free yoga in NYC isn’t just a myth. Before my search, I thought free yoga classes were as rare as triple rainbows… or good vegan cheese brands.
Free yoga classes in NYC
If you’re as excited about free yoga classes as I am, check these out. They’re available for the summer, so make sure you visit them before fall and winter ruin your meditation plans.
- The Yoga Room
If you like to practice yoga with a view, I’d suggest this class. The Yoga Room is a yoga studio based in Queens, but they host free classes at either Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City or Astoria Park in Queens (depending on the schedule found here).
- Sweat Sessions
If you live near the Meatpacking District, I’d recommend you try a Sweat Sessions class. These classes are free and hosted in the great outdoors for all of your yoga needs. See their website for more details and dates. Sweat Sessions also offers classes that aren’t yoga, so make sure you head to the right class by checking the schedule!
- Bryant Park
It’s no yoga mat, no duduk perkara with this yoga class. Gaia, the wellness brand, donates over 1000 yoga mats to the free Bryant Park Yoga Classes of the summer. You’ll have a range of instructors from across NYC to teach you yoga poses if you attend these classes, which means yoga poses for days. My favorite!
- Bend and Bloom
This yoga studio, Bend and Bloom, hosts free yoga classes in Prospect Park on summer Thursdays. If you’re interested in the free yoga, I’d also recommend Bend and Bloom’s organic tea which is free after a paid class—really hits the spot when you’re yoga-ed out.
- Sunset Vinyasa Yoga
That’s right—calming yoga for your tired bones in the evening. This takes place in the north plaza of Union Square. Bring your own water and yoga mat and join a crowd of busybodies like me as we try to relax.
- Free yoga Brooklyn
Ready to kick the end-of-weekend blues? You can register for some great free morning yoga at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Make sure you show up early to secure a spot—yoga registration starts at 7 am on Mondays. These classes are taught by Abhaya Yoga, a studio based in Brooklyn!
Before you check out free yoga in NYC, try purchasing a cheap yoga mat to take along with you (like this one, this one or this one)! Trust me, practicing yoga on a mat is much better than on the pavement or grass of a park!
If you’re a yoga teacher (or hope to become one) and you want to instruct a free yoga class, I’d suggest reaching out to some of the curators of the above events. Though you’ll have to pay a studio to become certified as a yoga instructor, you can always carefully observe the yoga instructors at these outdoor yoga spots for some free yoga teacher training!
Free yoga apps
Not interested in exploring the great outdoors? Sick of doing yoga next to a bunch of other people? Well, there’s an option for you: Yoga apps. Even better, some of these apps are free of charge. Learn yoga poses from the comfort of your home at any time of day that you choose.
- Yoga for Beginners | Mind + Body
This lovely app is available on the iPhone and iPad and it’s totally free, which is rare for yoga apps. If you like to close your eyes during yoga, this app will vocally guide you through various asanas.
- Yoga | Down Dog
Though this Yoga app has some in-app purchases, it’s initially free and highly professional. It advertises that you’ll never have to do the same workout twice and you can listen to music while you practice your yoga. This app is available on iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.
- Daily Yoga— Workout & Fitness
Daily Yoga is customized to your workout goals. You can choose between over 200 guided classes to fulfil your yoga dreams. After a free trial, you’ll have to pay for this app, so get the most out of it while you can!
Have fun!
Also follow my Instagram Stories. I share a lot of free event or workout classes. Free yoga is a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Make sure you live it up and relax to the best of your ability. Stay rooted in the present moment. No matter what method you choose, enjoy your yoga time!