Vancouver yoga studios with charitable community classes
So, how are those New Year’s Resolutions holding up? There’s always time to get back on track and combine getting fit with saving money and helping out a charitable cause. Sign up for a community class at these caring fitness studios in Vancouver.
Karma Teachers Centre for Yoga and Meditation
45 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4Tucked away down a back-alley on the fringes of Gastown, Karma Teachers is an altruistic studio that’s all about giving back to the community. Classes range from candlelit Hatha to meditation sessions and all are offered on a by-donation basis in order to make yoga accessible to everybody. Don’t be intimidated by the almost unmarked entrance; once inside you’ll get a warm welcome and a warm glow from all the good karma.
Moksha Yoga Vancouver
242-2083 Alma St, Vancouver, BC V6R 4N6Heat up your yoga practice and take a class at Moksha, where lessons take place in a hot room warmed to 36.6-degrees to help stretch and loosen over-worked and tired muscles. Take a drop-in karma class and warm your heart with the knowledge that your donation (minimum $5) is going towards the studio’s chosen charity of the month, such as the homeless youth initiative Covenant House. Karma class times vary so check the schedule for details.
YYoga Downtown Flow
202-888 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1X9YYoga Downtown Flow offers YGives by-donation classes every Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Classes are taught by new instructors as part of their training course. Members of the community can also organize their own by-donation class for a charitable cause and YYoga will donate the studio, mats and teacher for the class. Look out for YGives By Donation classes on the schedule.
Semperviva Yoga
1985 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z3Long-time teacher Bertie Clark holds meditation classes every Sunday evening at Semperviva Yoga’s City Studio at West Broadway and Maple. The mindful classes are by-donation ($5 to $10 is suggested) and are designed to raise funds for Raincity Housing, a local initiative that provides homes and services for people living with challenges such as mental health or addiction issues.
One Yoga For The People
201-150 Hastings St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G8Head to this inclusive Gastown studio to catch a community class, taught by an up-and-coming teacher. Your donation (minimum of $5) will go towards helping organizations that support the residents of the Downtown Eastside. Yogis under the age of 25 can also attend Root to Rise all-level yoga classes for free and anyone can join in by donation to raise funds for Vinyasa Yoga for Youth to bring yoga to at-risk kids.
Unity Yoga Teahouse
2-1672 10th Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5N 1X5Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Vancouver Food Bank and enjoy a free karma class with a new yoga teacher at Unity, a friendly yoga studio and tea house in East Van.Be sure to leave some time after class to peruse the library of yoga books or relax with a freshly brewed tea from Unity’s selection of locally made custom blends.
Bikram Yoga Vancouver
22-555 12th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3X7There’s no such thing as a free lunch but there is such a thing as free yoga…if you’re willing to work for it. Bikram Yoga, a hot yoga studio at Cambie and West 12th, offers free classes to volunteers who help clean and maintain the studio. Donating your time and energy to the community is a key part of the philosophy of yoga, so try to think happy thoughts as you scrub the sweaty mats.
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