Step XII Of My Spiritual Journey: In Which I Find Yoga I Can Actually Afford

When I first started writing this column, and therefore telling people that I was on a Spiritual Journey, the first thing out of everyone's mouth was, "Ooh! Fun! You can write about yoga!" People love yoga. Apparently, yoga is spirituality for the masses. But, let's be honest, how many people do you know that actually, and whole-heartedly practice yoga?

I thought so. That's because yoga is an elitist practice.

I like yoga. I've always liked yoga. I grew up doing yoga, because, let's face it, yoga is a lot easier to practice when it's funded by your parents, or when your Safeway paycheck's have nothing more, well, pressing to go towards.

In real life, as far as I'm concerned, it's unaffordable. The average yoga class in Manhattan costs about $20. Don't ask how I know this, or where I got my numbers, but that, my friends, is simply not doable. I'm not one of those people whose budgets can actually afford yoga. I cannot afford yoga.

So fine, you say, take a yoga class at the local gym? Well, for one thing, I'm no longer a member of a gym (due to aforementioned budget), but also, taking yoga classes at a gym sucks. The classes are packed and they're really awkwardly timed (6pm??) and the bottom line is, I can't make it out of work in time for a 6pm class, let alone one for which I have to get there 25 minutes early in order to even secure a spot. No, thank you.

And besides all that, most yoga classes are remarkably intimidating. Not only is the average yoga class a ridiculously challenging form of calisthenics, but people who practice yoga take it, well, really seriously. Which I get, and can more or less appreciate, but it still grates a bit when my sweaty feet are slipping out from under me in downward-facing dog and I can hardly breathe let alone monitor my breath, and the ridiculously perfect-bodied brunette next to me is what I'd interpret as glaring at me from under her sweat-free brows. I can't help it if I'm causing a disturbance. This shit is hard!

Well, enter into this yoga-less void Yoga To The People, which, by the way, always makes me think of Up With People, which makes me laugh in and of itself, which is a more or less unfair rumination because, and back to my point, Yoga To The People is awesome!

Located in a mildly grungy pre-war on St. Mark's Place, Yoga To The People is the socialist answer to an ultimately restricted practice. (Like I said, only rich people do yoga.) All classes are donation only! Now that's my type of payment. The suggested donation is $10, but not by any means required, and their system is working. The classes are crowded, but rarely packed enough to turn people away. The studio itself is beautiful in a lofty, old New York sort of way, and both the teachers and fellow yoga-ers are utterly un-critical.

And I think that's what I like best (besides the "by-donation" admission, of course). I've finally found a place where I can fumble through my sun salutations without remorse, doing the best I can to breathe at all. And hey, fingers crossed, maybe one day I'll even find myself "centered." I mean that, and I think it's entirely possible. I like yoga, and now that I can afford it, I truly plan on going.

So, reader, with you as my witness, my one and only (so far!) spiritual goal is to attend a yoga class at least once a week. (More, if the Yoga To The People peeps would consider this my donation! Is that ethically wrong? I don't know. I never took a journalism class.)

And on that note, I'd like to take this moment to hereby revise my request to the universe for a guru:

I really want and truly seek a yoga guru.

Namaste.

Ohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmm.

Comments

[globalbeatfusion]

It's unfortunate that you've had such unpleasant experiences in your quest for yoga - the first being that you consider the essence of the practice a physical aerobics class. If you want to "practice" yoga, you start with yourself, not a gym of studio. Asana practice is preparatory work for the actual discipline, which is a) geared toward dissolving ego and b) rooted in meditation. While asanas are an important introduction, reading this reminds us that too many people consider yoga a physical only form. If you were to do the slightest bit of research, you would find out that yoga was developed as an anti-elitist and anti-arms psychology, which empowered lower castes with a spirituality that everyone could partake in, not reserved for brahmans. If all you could find in Manhattan - a city that I've practiced in for over eight years and taught in for four - is Yoga to the People, you honestly have not been looking very hard.

[hontonoshijin]

You've got to be kidding. Yoga expensive? It's the ultimate simplicity. All you need is a mat, a strap, and a block, and you can do without those. What about the sages who developed the stuff? You think they learned in expensive classes?

Yes, a teacher is nice. But if you don't have one, get a paperback book. Just remember that yoga is for your individual benefit and is not a competitive sport, so the point is not how many "tricks" you can do, as a friend of mine once described matters, or whether you can hold a pose more deeply than another person. The point is your own easing and wellbeing.

Begin yoga wishing to learn, practice faithfully, and yoga itself will teach you yoga.

I agree, it is a spiritual practice. It is either a spiritual practice or nothing but another sort of gym class. The original point was the union of self with god, and the union of inner and outer self, as the name indicates.

[hontonoshijin]

You've got to be kidding. Yoga expensive? It's the ultimate simplicity. All you need is a mat, a strap, and a block, and you can do without those. What about the sages who developed the stuff? You think they learned in expensive classes?

Yes, a teacher is nice. But if you don't have one, get a paperback book. Just remember that yoga is for your individual benefit and is not a competitive sport, so the point is not how many "tricks" you can do, as a friend of mine once described matters, or whether you can hold a pose more deeply than another person. The point is your own easing and wellbeing.

Begin yoga wishing to learn, practice faithfully, and yoga itself will teach you yoga.

I agree, it is a spiritual practice. It is either a spiritual practice or nothing but another sort of gym class. The original point was the union of self with god, and the union of inner and outer self, as the name indicates.

[acty]

Hello again Verena! Fantastic i love yoga for the people! I happen to feel the same way about yoga and luckily I live in la where we also have yoga by donation. It is at the base of a large dog park called Runyan Canyon in a fenced in grass area every morning. So beautiful to practice yoga in nature! But I also love the whole loft thing too. Very Manhattan.

So enjoy it and please continue the great posts. I always look forward to your writing it is what brings me to the Huffington every week.

Your faithful reader
in
LA

[sonah22]

How 'bout just doing yoga for free?

http://www.aryabhatt.com/surya/SuryaNamaskar1.htm

[poppyharlow]

Power to the people! Power to Yoga! power to Verena. This is a true find in a city that is overpriced in almost every day. Thanks for the heads up-V. Want to get in touch with yoru spiritual side and hit up a class this weekend?

[arcangelica]

here in the santa monica area of los angeles, we have bryan kest's power yoga which is also donation only. he is a definitely a yoga guru of sorts and his fellow instructors are all highly experienced, patient and helpful. no attitude, just yoga.

[sparkandy]

I'd like to know where to do the dog yoga the people in the picture are doing. That's MY kind of yoga!

[hontonoshijin]

Ado mucha schvanasana, or downward facing dog. Do what the people in the photo are doing. Try to point with your butt, make a straight line with your back, relax your hamstrings. Don't hurt yourself and don't be impatient. After one or two hundred practices it gets easier. Incidentally, that is merely one pose, or asana, if, eventually, a very restful one. It is not the whole of yoga.

[Landofjenny]

YOGA! I was doing yoga the other day with my co-worker (boss) who is really good at it and runs classes out of our living room/office on occasion when it finally occurred to me to ask her if there was some physical reason that would explain why my body just does not contort the way other peoples' does. Or why I can't touch my toes. I think I was trying to find the easy way out. Anyways, there is NO actual PHYSICAL reason why I can't do yoga. So now that I can't just quit due to physical limitations, I see no other option but to keep trying. This post is relatively pointless. I think somewhere in my head I've decided that if I can actually SIT in lotus position (I think that is what its called) I stand some greater chance of venturing down some kind of attempting meditation path. Which would be great, I think.

[hontonoshijin]

I'm sorry, don't mean to sound like I know it all. I am a novice, only three years in. But when I hear people suffering with their yoga, I can't help but try to say something useful. There is nothing wrong with your body. Yoga gradually teaches you to pay attention to muscles and tendons you are keeping in constant tension that you do not realize you are keeping in tension. A key word is gradual. Yoga is not about sitting in lotus or any other highly-photographed performance. It is about sitting in lotus when your body is ready. Patience, patience. It is not any one day that matters, but the faithful practice over many many days that gradually (gradually!) reshapes your body and your mind.

A person who can sit in lotus is not necessarily more enlightened. Such a person may just be more flexible, or younger.

It does work. Keep after it, but be gentle with yourself and do not blame yourself.

[accountability]

Hi Verena. What a lovely post. I have to go look at the archives as I have missed the others.
You are very inspirational, thank you.

The Yoga for the People sounds great.
Reminds me of John Lennon.
I used to live in that neighborhood but haven't been there in quite a while.

I'm going to look for the podcasts.
Thanks, glad you found such a good class.

And I agree about the expense. I can't go and I don't drink Lattes either! LOL

[ecstewart]

It wasn't until late last year that I, too, found a way to include yoga into my exercise regimen. The gym I joined, the local Y, also includes free yoga classes, among others. Now I need to return, mind you, but until then, I found inspiration to begin a new series: Downward Dog.

http://www.calligraphypets.com/cd2-downdog.html

Namaste,
Lisa, CreativeGoddess

[onthemountain]

Have you noticed that most women who do yoga seriously don't do makeup?

[Bright Creature]

I love this article! I can relate, too. I love Yoga but the only way that I've been able to do it by what I pick up here and there. I live in TX, also, so I might be waiting a bit 'til the socialists come a calling.

I have one question , though... is ethics something that journalism has a monopoly on? I always thought it was philosophy or something? xD

[yogagirl]

This is exactly why I was glad to find Yoga to the People myself! Can you feel all the love from your comments... You might as well have called out everyones mother... What is so hard to understand that it is nice to simply find a place that in the new yoga "scene" isn't a scene and been polluted by the almighty dollar...

Sure, I will buy a dvd and do it at home... that's the ticket! I love the place and glad it exists. Try one of their podcast off iTunes no donation, free... but, I am sure there is something wrong with that as well

[wildflowermaven]

I will echo what others have said, yoga is not that expensive everywhere. I belong to my local YMCA, and they have free yoga classes for members. And I loved the 6:30 p.m. classes, always felt revived and relaxed by the end -a great way to wash away the stress of the day. And I question whether you REALLY can't afford to join a gym. Exercise is so good for you in so many ways, give up a few lattes, eat some bag lunches, and join up. That said, glad you found a class that fits you. Go forth and get limber and honor the light in others and yourself.