DENVER – Yoga offers many benefits, but you don’t need to invest in Lululemon yoga apparel or unlimited yoga passes, thanks to a new website started by Denver resident Lynn Koves. Unlimitedyoga.com lists free yoga classes in the Denver metro area, from Core Power to Kindness Yoga. Some classes list a suggested donation or required registration, but many are immediate.
“I started the website because I believe in yoga, particularly for stress management, and I know how expensive it can be to buy packages month after month,” Koves said in an email. “Once I realized exactly how many free and donation-based classes there are in Denver each week, I thought I could create something that would save people time and be a valuable resource for the community.”
Koves began selecting a list of free classes in April 2014 that he emailed to his friends in a newsletter. Eventually, he began posting the list of free classes on the website, which is updated weekly. Many of the classes listed are suitable for beginning yoga students and offer a sampling of different styles of yoga.
“Most of the classes on the schedule are suitable for beginners, especially those that have the word ‘community’ in their name,” he said. “Usually teachers in community classes will pause class for a minute here and there to demonstrate a pose or two to help beginners (and everyone) make sure they are doing things correctly so they don’t hurt themselves.”
The yoga market is growing in popularity in the United States. According to NAMASTA, a trade group for mind and body professionals, Americans spent $ 10.3 billion per year on yoga classes, products, clothing, and supplies in 2012.
Koves recommends trying a few different yoga studios in Denver to find the one that best aligns with students. “Personally, I like to change it and attend classes at various studios to introduce myself to the teachers and also be aware of the nature of the classes that I am promoting,” he said.
There are several different types of yoga practiced in the US that emphasize different elements of oriental practice:
- Hatha – Hatha yoga is gentle yoga with slow stretching.
- Vinyasa : Vinyasa is a more athletic yoga than Hatha that incorporates sun salutations.
- Ashtanga – Also known as power yoga, Ashtanga focuses on quick transitions between poses.
- Iyengar – Iyengar yoga deals with proper alignment and uses accessories like blocks and straps.
- Kundalini – Kundalini focuses on the breath as a way of centering the practice of yoga.
- Bikram – Also known as hot yoga, Bikram is performed in a heated room to further relax the muscles.
- Viniyoga : Viniyoga is a personalized practice based on the individual needs of a student. (Due to the personalized nature of Viniyoga, free classes are hard to come by for this type of yoga.)
Nina Snyder is the author of “Good Day, Broncos,” an e-book for children, and “ABCs of Balls,” a picture book for children. Visit her website at ninasnyder.com.
