This can almost be a satirical piece in itself. Granted you can do yoga for free but how much have you spent in a year on yoga??
via Bloomburg with links galore for those yogis that need to spend some money...ahum, I mean, support the economy....
Strike a Pose
$90: Learn the fundamentals for Yoga postures. Five-class introductory series at Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York. (A four-class introductory series at Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco costs $50.)
$1,150: Group classes at a yoga studio to release neck pain from computer usage and neutralize stress. One-year price is for unlimited classes at Yogaworks. (Monthly rate: $115/month for unlimited classes)
$1,800: To enhance poses learned in group classes, take private lessons, which average $150 per class in pricey New York
Running tally: $3,040
Yoga Clothes
A t-shirt and shorts work well, but specialized gear is available.
$216: Women's pants, 2 pairs, groove pant -- brushed
$156: Three Dash Tank II women's tank tops designed to fit over support bra
$40: No-slip yoga socks with individual toe covering, two pairs
$68: Women's Cabin Long Sleeve Tee II T shirt, a breathable, long-sleeve T-shirt
$126: Three sports bras, Flow Y Bra IV for yoga, $42 each
$70: YogaToes and YogaHands with gel support relieve stress and tension, soothe sore muscles, increase circulation and relieve pain
Running tally: $3,716
Yoga Basics
To practice postures, you can buy the basics with a little pizazz added.
$89: YogaMatic custom-designed paisley yoga mat
$23: Eco-friendly Hemp Yoga Mat Bag, an extra-large bag to hold mats, towel, block and water bottle
$40: Lululemon's Manduka Equa absorbent yoga towel
$10: The bobble, an 18.5 oz. eco-friendly water bottle, has a built-in carbon filter that's good for 300 refills
Running tally: $3,878
Meditation
Practicing meditation helps to achieve inner peace.
$86: Zafu-zabuton Meditation Cushion set -- a round meditation cushion stuffed with buckwheat hulls or natural kapok, so it remains firm during sittings
$66: Meditation course to nurture the mind and spirit -- three weekly sessions at Integral Yoga Institute
Running tally: $4,030
Props for Poses
$19: Two D Buckle 8-foot straps for extra support and proper alignment
$50: Yoga bolster to support the neck, knees or other areas during some poses and to put under the knees during savasana (final relaxation)
$40: Two bamboo yoga blocks -- eco-friendly and lightweight ($20 each)
$25: Mexican-style yoga blankets for comfort, warmth and support for knees and joints during poses
Running tally: $4,164
Yoga Workshops (4 per year)
Once you've learned the basics, fine-tune your skills -- prices at Integral Yoga.
$24: The yoga of breath, Pranayama for beginners -- fundamentals of yogic breathing techniques
$34: Mudras for a healthy heart -- hand gestures to strengthen the heart
$30: Toning and strengthening digestion
$30: Shoulders, arms, wrists and hands -- yoga for upper extremities
Running tally: $4,282
Yoga Enrichment
Refine your asanas (your poses) with DVDs, apps, magazines and books.
$14: Yoga Journal magazine, one-year subscription
$17: The Golden Present: Daily Inspirational Readings by Sri Swami Satchidananda
$16: Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Rolf Slovik and Sandra Anderson
$14: Meditation for the Love of It, Enjoying Your Own Deepest Experience by Sally Kempton
$25: Beginner's DVD: Complete Beginner's Guide by Jason Crandell
$4: Pocket Yoga HD for iPad App from Rainfrog LLC
Running tally: $4,372
Soothing Mind and Body
After yoga, promote relaxation with eye pillows and tea.
$152: Adagio Organic Teas in four 16-oz. packages
$34: Glass teapot with infuser for the richest flavor
$7: Lavender scented cotton or silk eye pillow filled with natural flaxseed
Running tally: $4,565
Conferences and Luxury Escapes
Extend the peace, serenity and well-being you feel after attending yoga class.
$860: Yoga Journal New York Conference, five days, Hilton Hotel, April 12-16
$1,795: Bali Holistic Yoga Retreats provide classes, nutrition options and cultural experiences -- five star accommodations (six-night, seven-day package)
$1,792: Airfare, New York-Bali, via Cathay Pacific
Running tally: $9,012
Yoga Music and Concerts
Songs of celebration may help you find your inner path.
$100: Kirtans, four per year from Integral Yoga -- an evening of chanting in a concert hall setting. Suggested donations on day of concert, $25
$30: Krishna Das Concert: Upcoming performance on Nov. 19 in New York and Jan. 13, 2012 in San Francisco among others.
$36: Two CDs of Krishna Das music -- Heart Full of Soul and Heart as Wide as the World
Running tally: $9,178
Beyond Yoga
Apart from the many poses of yoga, there are treatments that incorporate its principles.
$392: Thai Massage incorporates yoga-like stretches, four sessions
$1,200: Acupuncture to support muscle health and energy flow, one-hour monthly sessions for a year
$9: Arnica Cream made from Arnica montana, a mountain plant, 2.5 oz.
Running tally: $10,779
Also check out the post by Lucy Edge, Yoga School Dropout, for her breakdown of what yoga cost her.
And here is Claudia weighing in on her breakdown
And the The Reluctant Ashtangi
And Serene Flavorful
I myself spent about $4,000 the first year of yoga (classes, workshops, books, dvds, a yoga mat and some shorts from Target...I'm down to less than a $1,000 for classes a year (and well worth it for my sanity and sense of humor :)
