User Post: 3 Ways to Practice Yoga on a Budget
By Heather Ashare - DietsInReview.com
In these hard economic times, most of us have been forced to reduce our spending. From not eating out as frequently to buying clothing only when there is a sale, those of us impacted continue to devise creative ways to keep money in our pockets.
One aspect of lifestyle spending that some are not willing to give up are wellness activities like exercise and yoga. For devoted health enthusiasts, giving up their fitness routine is a last resort item they can't bare to eliminate from the budget. Exercise has been shown to promote physical and mental health and mind-body activities like yoga have been correlated with reduced stress levels.
You don't have to back out of a yoga studio contract during these hard times. Here are three ways to practice yoga on a budget and consider before throwing in the yoga mat that will allow you to continue to practice and reap the benefits of yoga without breaking the bank.
Yoga at home: There are so many yoga DVDs on the market that you could try a differnent one each day of the year. Maybe that is an exaggeration, but if you've been forced to make some financial sacrifices and you're not willing to part with your sanity-saving yoga routine, consider buying or renting yoga DVDs. Another alternative is to consider the yoga sessions offered on Wii Fit. You'll lose the camaraderie and instruction of the studio, but you'll save money and you'll gain the satisfaction that comes from building your own home practice.
Negotiate your contract: If you are having a hard time paying your yoga studio dues, talk to the owner about lowering your payment by 10 or 20 percent each month. Many business owners are feeling the crunch so they are desperately clinging to maintain their current clientele. Negotiating new terms with your yoga membership is a win-win for both you and your beloved studio.
Consider a work-study program: Talk to your yoga studio owner about working odd jobs around the studio in exchange for a reduced membership. Agree to clean the studio once a week, man the reception desk a few hours a week or create a flier for an upcoming workshop. As you consider a work-study program, think about your talents and areas of expertise and invite your studio to capitalize on your skills as you capitalize on theirs.
These tough economic times challenge us to determine which areas of our lifestyles hold meaning for us and it motivates us to devise creative solutions to keep them.
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