1. Pop Brixton
Pop Brixton in South London is a temporary project that has turned disused land into a creative space for local, independent businesses. As part of this exciting space, yoga teacher Hayley Shoesmith is offering a series of free Kundalini yoga classes, rounded off with a gong bath. Kundalini yoga is an ancient form of yoga recently formalised by Yogi Bhajan, incorporating the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of yoga into a system using yoga postures, breath, mantras (chanting) and meditation. It can be practiced by all ages and abilities.Bring a mat, a blanket and wear your yoga gear. To find out more or to book your space book here.
2. Adidas Studio – 152 Brick Lane
The light and airy Adidas Studio in the heart of trendy Spitalfields in East London offers a whole range of completely FREE fitness classes, including yoga. I’m afraid, blokes, that this one is just for women though. The slight downside in this era of Data privacy is that in order to sign up for the free classes you have to register through your Facebook profile, but you may as well get some good use out of Facebook to get a free yoga class!
There’s also a cafe onsite called ReFuel, which serves gluten-free and vegan goodies to reward yourself with after your free session. To find out how to sign up, register here.
3. ‘OurParks’
Now is the time of year that London parks come into their own. The capital is one of the greenest in the world, and most residents have a park just round the corner. OurParks not only organises activities in London’s many green areas but also in community spaces. And even better, the classes are completely FREE. OurParks was created to make it easy and free for you to get fit, which sounds like an excellent idea to us. Their site is easy to use, colour-coded to give you an idea of how intense the classes are and gives an up to date list of all the classes coming up.
If you’re feeling hardcore, and in need of fresh air, you can pick Outdoor Yoga in London Fields, or opt for Flow Yoga at Leyton Sixth Form College, to name just a couple of choices. You need to register on the site first, and then book a place – for more info you can watch a handy booking guide here.
And to see a list of classes and get going, book here.
4. Kanga Studio
Based right in the heart of London on the Marylebone Road, a stone’s throw from Baker Street station and the leafy Regent’s Park, is the fully-equipped Kanga Studio. A small, independent studio, it offers a range of high-quality yoga classes, as well as other therapies. And it also offers community classes, including Sri Sri Yoga, which includes a study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, pranayama and meditation, and mixed flow yoga. The community classes are free, or a small donation – booking is essential!
5. Sweaty Betty
Putting new meaning to the phrase, ‘working out in Sweaty Betty’, the free yoga classes here can be booked in advance and taught by certified experts. The only catch is that you have to sign up to become a member but don’t we all have five minutes to spare for 60-minutes of free fitness?
We suggest you’re quick though as the word has gotten out about the Sweaty little secret and classes tend to get booked up quite quickly. Find out whether your nearest store could become your newest workout venue here.
6. Lululemon
You may have spent copious amounts of time during your yoga-practicing-years browsing the shelves and rails of this popular sports clothing store but have you ever thought about pushing aside the ‘End of Season Sale’ rack and stretching out on the floor? Well, why not try it — with a weekly, completely complimentary, in-store yoga class!
Guided by expert local teachers, all over London, you’ll be able to unfurl your mat in the midst of your chosen store and spend 60-minutes stretching and relaxing. Lululemon put great emphasis on creating a community outside of simple shopping experience and aside from free yoga classes, you can also get involved with festivals and retreats. Never believed you’d be able to leave a Lululemon store having not spent a penny? Well, believe it! Sign up here.
7. Essence of Good Health
With a real belief that no one should be exempt from the benefits of yoga, Essence of Good Health Yoga has been providing free hatha yoga classes in the southeast of London for over 15 years. A real mixture of levels attend these two-hour classes and a sense of community and care is present throughout.
A gentle warm up and an hour of asanas is followed by half an hour of pranayama and guided relaxation to ensure that you leave feeling as good as possible. A bootcamp for the body and mind (in the gentlest sense) can be expected, along with a warm welcome and loads of attention — there is usually more than one teacher to make sure that everyone gets the help and guidance they need.
As the classes are run free of charge, donations are welcome and most who attend give around £2 to help fund this worthwhile project. Check out their range of weekly classes here.
8. LightCentre Moorgate
The Light Centre in Moorgate is a health and wellbeing centre offering over sixty different classes weekly, from mindfulness to Pilates-Reformer classes as well as a variety of different health therapies. A haven of relaxation in the midst of the city, one of the things we love most about this centre is that you can try it out totally free of charge.
With ‘Breakfast Club’ classes to suit the early-riser, 75-minute Vinyasa Flow classes and weekly beginners’ classes, all levels and all schedules are welcome. We love that you can grab a rejuvenating snack after your class here too – a green juice for the road or a fruit pot to devour (smugly) at your desk. Sign up for your free class here.
See Also: The 12 Best Snacks to Have on Hand
9. Iyengar Yoga Institute
Set in the tranquil setting of the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Maida Vale, are FREE taster classes on offer to those who’d like to try Iyengar yoga. Held throughout the year, their aim is to give new students a chance to try out yoga in a friendly setting with other people at the same level. No previous experience is necessary. It’s also open to those students who are more familiar with other yoga methods.
All equipment is provided, and shoes are left in the racks by the entrance. Sign up here to book the next free class.
10. Yogaworks
Set in leafy Wandsworth in South London is the tranquil yoga studio, Yogaworks. A stone’s throw from bustling Clapham Junction Station, it’s a welcoming, friendly place to relax and restore yourself with the range of yoga classes they have on offer. Choose from invigorating Vinyasa flow, soothing Yin Yoga, caring Pre-natal yoga, relaxing Yoga Nidra and non-scary beginner’s yoga.
Their goal is to provide yoga classes from all levels from the absolute beginner to the more advanced yogi. All yoga equipment is provided – apart from towels, which you can hire for a £1 from reception.
