Millie Eberl
10/28/13
Yoga Even a College Student Can Afford
How would you like to save $365 a semester for unlimited yoga based on the studio you
choose? Or spend no more than a few dollars for each drop-in session? University recreation
centers often offer this option and donation classes are often neglected as a choice and provide
the least expensive yoga practice.
After comparing various yoga classes at bigger yoga studios and university recreation
centers, the difference in exercise and technique is basically non-existent and not worth the
drastic price difference. All of the instructors at the CSU Rec Center are certified yoga
instructors, but many are also students. By attending these classes, you are getting the same yoga
experience while supporting up-and-coming yoga instructors. Although the CSU Rec Center is
the best choice due to the class schedule consistency, this goes even a step further for donation
classes; many of these instructors have not found an instructing position or simply want to
practice in smaller groups before they start charging and working for bigger studios.
Kelly Allen is currently in the process of getting her yoga certification. Getting yoga
certified was about more than just the yoga, her close friend had recently passed away and she
found that yoga aided her in healing. She needed something to get her mind off of the tragedy.
“Originally my purpose was not to be a teacher but to increase my knowledge and understanding
of yoga, my friend passed away and I needed something to put myself into,” said Allen. Her
sister is a certified yoga instructor and suggested that Allen get her certification as well. She is
currently leading her through the process and they plan to complete her certification over winter
break in Mexico
Allen, a Colorado State University junior, had a membership at CorePower Yoga, the
largest studio in Fort Collins, CO, with numerous locations across the U.S. She had to cancel it
due to the expensive membership fees and lack of time to attend and get her money’s worth.
Although these types of studios are appealing, there is more to yoga than the poses. Allen now
attends donation classes or other classes outside of the bigger studios at least twice a week. She
enjoys these classes more because they connect to the true essence of yoga.
Allen’s 200-hour yoga certification process was through Holistic Yoga School and the
Certification School of Yoga Institute. Students learn teachings from all different types of yoga,
the basic understanding of yoga, the history, the literature, healing, medicines, and ayurvedic or
the background of yoga. Most people only think about the poses when they hear yoga, but the
asana weren’t developed until far into the origination of yoga. The three main elements of yoga
are mental, emotional, and spiritual and the poses help you connect to other aspects, always
relating back to what the yoga is really doing for you. When you think about the deeper meaning
of yoga, spending top dollar isn’t necessary to reap the benefits this practice has to offer.
From an instructor’s stance, donation classes are the best option. When describing
donation classes Allen said, “Bring what you can and take what you need”. Donation classes are
a win-win, the instructor gets practice instructing before moving to a studio and charging a fee
and the participants are led through a yoga class without paying more than a few dollars. This is
the step many instructors take before moving up to recreation centers or yoga studios. The
problem is, people who aren’t heavily involved in the yoga community, don’t know about these
classes or where to find them. The instructors have to work harder to advertise for their classes.
Word of mouth, Facebook, and putting up fliers around campus and town are usually the routes
taken. There is also a free iPhone application by LuLu Lemon, a yoga athletic wear company,
called “Om Finder” that a lot of yoga studios and individuals use. It allows you to look around
your area and find different drop-in and donation classes. Kristal Wilson admitted that she was
unaware that donation classes were an option. “I would be willing to try donation classes but I
like the consistency of having a yoga membership with a set schedule for classes,” said Wilson.
Wilson, Health and Exercise Science major and CSU Rec Center yoga member, has taken
classes at other yoga studios and the Fort Collins Club. She has noticed that the CSU Rec Center
yoga classes are designed for a younger audience with more physical ability while the ones at the
Fort Collins Club tend to lean towards older adults. “There is a difference between the strictly
yoga classes and the yoga/cardio classes such as Body Boot Camp and Yoga Sculpt. I like
having these options because they are more intensive making me feel like I’m getting a highenergy, better workout while still incorporating some important aspects of more traditional
yoga,” said Wilson.
She has noticed a few instructors in particular who really stand out, when she is looking
at class times she tries to pick classes lead by them. She believes bigger yoga studios have more
room and have a more relaxing and tranquil environment, but this is not an important enough
difference, you get the same workout regardless of the room.
Wilson concluded by saying, “Get to know the different instructors and their teaching
styles so you can pick the workout that best suits you.”
Monica Palomino has had her fair share of yoga class variety. She was trained in Irvine,
Calif., at CorePower Yoga and is now a CSU junior and Rec Center yoga instructor. The yoga
certification process was similar to Allen’s; a 200 hour alliance certification program and an 8
week process of learning, but she also needed 30 hours of internship time. She moved to
Colorado for college and started instructing at CorePower Yoga, she now works at Rain Tree
Athletic Club and the CSU Rec Center. The fact that some of the CSU Rec Center yoga
instructors have done their training and instructing at bigger studios like CorePower Yoga shows
there is not a difference in instruction quality.
“Never hesitate to take a free class at a studio, take a variety of classes from a variety of
instructors, you’ll learn more about your practice,” said Palomino. She really enjoys CSU Rec
Center classes and hasn’t found a significant difference in challenge or instructor ability. Hot
yoga, which involves practicing yoga in a 105 degree room, is the only major difference that
bigger studios have and the CSU Rec Center does not. This is not a deal breaker though;
Palomino would be content only attending classes at the CSU Rec Center if it weren’t for the fact
that she has a free membership at CorePower Yoga because of her previous instructor position.
“You don’t necessarily need a membership to the bigger studios, take the opportunities you have
and run with them,” said Palomino.
Once you are enrolled in CSU or any university, you pay student fees. These student fees
include a membership to the CSU Rec Center whether you use the facility or not. So why not pay
a little more to include yoga with this membership instead of paying to not use the CSU Rec
Center, in addition to paying for a membership at a yoga studio. Especially since the CSU Rec
Center offers the same classes as bigger studios, as well as some high-intensity classes that may
not be offered at other studios.
On-campus recreation centers are the best option if you want low-cost yoga that still
gives you a good workout and a variety of class choices. A semester long membership for
unlimited yoga costs $69, or $59 if you buy it within the first two weeks of the semester, as
opposed to $85/ month costs at the bigger studios, like CorePower Yoga. The CSU Rec Center
has up to seven classes a day on most days, so there is almost always a time that will work with
your schedule. Most of the instructors there are also students, so it is a good way to support
beginning instructors. Plus, it is convenient, the CSU Rec Center is located on campus so you
don’t have to drive to a studio, you can go before, between, or after classes.
Choosing a yoga studio all comes down to what you are willing to put in and what you
want to get out of it. The beauty of yoga is that nothing should prevent you from being able to
practice. As long as you are willing to look around and try new things, it can be an enjoyable
experience without being an expensive one.
Accessories
Side Bar:
Prices
Unlimited yoga at CSU Rec Center: $69 ($59 first two weeks of semester)/ semester
Drop-in class at CSU Rec Center: $4
Student membership at CorePower Yoga: $85/ month
Drop-in class at CorePower Yoga: $12
Suggested amount for donation classes: $2-$12 depending on instruction level and location
For More Information Visit:
CSU Rec Center: http://campusrec.colostate.edu/Home.cfm
Class Schedule: http://campusrec.colostate.edu/Docs/GetFit/CurrentScheduleV5.pdf
CorePower Yoga: http://www.corepoweryoga.com/
Class Schedule: http://www.corepoweryoga.com/yoga-studio/Colorado/schedule/25
Photos:
Students waiting for Yoga Sculpt to begin
Yoga Supplies
Night view of the CSU Rec Center
Source Contact Information:
Kelly Allen: (719) 661-4343
KJanayeA@gmail.com
Kristal Wilson: (970) 619-9751
Kristalglee@comcast.net
Monica Palomin