Tuesday I returned to yoga after an 18th month absence, and while my mind felt serene afterward, two days later, man, are my pecs, abs, biceps, triceps, quads, hammies, and glutes TIRED! But it’s a good soreness, like seeing an old friend after a long separation and thinking, “Why don’t we do this more often?”
For those looking to try yoga for the first time or return to a regular practice, you’re in luck. September marks Yoga Month, and select local studios will be participating in a special “try us out for free!” program.
Sign up online, pick a studio, and print out your card. You may then visit your designated studio for seven consecutive days (not a whole month) of free classes anytime between September 1 through the end of October (I know, that’s TWO months! I didn’t say it made any sense).
Go to National Yoga Month and sign up. Unless the studio otherwise states, you must be a new client. And only one yoga studio selection per person.
National Yoga Month and the Yoga Health Foundation are still adding yoga studios to the list. If you don’t see a studio listed that you’d like to try, contact the studio and encourage them to sign up for the program. Current participating studios and teachers include:
YogaKula (Mission)
Lucy Activewear (Cow Hollow)
Maya Donis (San Francisco)
Yoga Tree Valencia (Mission)
Ellen Chan (San Francisco)
Integral Yoga Institute (Mission)
Yoga Tree Castro (Castro)
Yogaworks San Francisco (Pacific Heights)
Yoga Tree Stanyan (Upper Haight)
Nadine Johnson (San Francisco)
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (Inner Sunset)
If you’re new to yoga, call your chosen studio ahead of time and ask if you should bring your own mat. Some studios offer loaner mats to new clients so you don’t have to invest in one until you want to make this part of your regular routine. If you’re in the market for a mat, check out Jade Yoga Mats, which are eco-friendly mats made of natural rubber.
Also for you newbies, remember to dress comfortably: a close-fitting tank top and workout pants are fine, and for women with any kind of a chest, a sports bra is a must.
Toss a towel and a bottle of water into your workout bag, and you’re ready to strike a pose. Namaste!
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