30/08/2026
The True Cost of “Free” Yoga
When did we stop valuing the people who make yoga their profession?
I love yoga. I believe deeply in making yoga accessible, and I have always believed that nobody should be excluded from the practice simply because they cannot afford it.
In my own teaching, I have offered free classes to people who genuinely cannot afford them. I have offered complimentary classes as an introduction to my studio. I believe there is a very real and important place for generosity in yoga.
But there is a difference between making yoga accessible and making yoga commercially unsustainable.
And I believe we need to start having an honest conversation about it.
Yoga teachers who have chosen to make teaching their profession invest enormously in their education. They spend thousands of rands , and often thousands of dollars , on teacher training, further education, anatomy, philosophy, workshops, retreats and continuing professional development. They spend years developing their ability to safely guide different bodies, abilities and levels of experience.
Professional yoga teaching is not simply standing at the front of a room and demonstrating a few postures.
There is knowledge, preparation, sequencing, observation, correction, communication, experience, responsibility and, importantly, the ability to create a safe and meaningful experience for the student.
Recognized yoga teacher-training standards reflect this. Training can include anatomy and physiology, teaching methodology, assisting and correcting, ethics, philosophy and practical teaching experience.
So what happens when “free yoga” becomes the norm?
When there is another free class every week, week after week, year after year, sometimes offered as a promotion alongside something completely unrelated , buy a coffee and get a free yoga class, for example , we need to ask what message this sends about the value of yoga teaching.
A yoga teacher's time has value.
Their education has value.
Their experience has value.
Their rent, insurance, equipment, electricity, marketing, administration and the countless hours spent preparing for classes have value.
A yoga studio is a business. And like any other small business, it needs to generate an income in order to survive.
When consumers become accustomed to receiving yoga for free, it can become increasingly difficult for professional teachers and genuine yoga businesses to charge a sustainable fee for their work.
And this doesn't just affect the teacher.
It affects the entire profession.
It affects the teacher who has invested years and thousands of rands into becoming qualified.
It affects the studio owner trying to keep the doors open.
It affects the teacher who needs to earn a living from their profession.
And eventually, it can affect the quality and sustainability of yoga being offered within our communities.
This is not an argument against free yoga.
There will always be circumstances where free yoga is wonderful and appropriate.
Community outreach matters.
Accessibility matters.
Charity matters.
Introducing someone to yoga matters.
But perhaps we need to distinguish between occasional generosity with a genuine purpose and a culture where yoga is repeatedly presented as something that should cost nothing.
If we want experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated yoga teachers to remain in this profession, then we also have to value their work.
Yoga teaches us about balance.
Perhaps this is one area where we need to practice it.
Make yoga accessible , but don't make professional yoga teaching worthless.
Support the teachers who have invested in their education.
Support the studios that provide spaces for people to practice.
Pay teachers fairly.
And remember that behind every class is a person who has chosen to dedicate their time, energy, knowledge and often their entire working life to sharing this practice with others.
Free has a place in yoga.
But so does value.
And perhaps it is time we found the balance between the two.
