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Free Yoga Boston Survey Results: 5 Things You Should Know

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The results are in! To see the write-up of the Free Yoga Boston Survey Results, take a look at the PDF document by clicking here.

The document guides you through each of the 10 questions that were asked and shows you the results. There are graphs displaying the numbers and illustrating trends. You’ll find dozens of comments shining a light on what’s important to people when taking a yoga class.

The survey was taken from June 2017 through October 2017. 75 people, mostly in the Greater Boston area, answered a survey and dove deeply into their likes, dislikes and feelings when it comes to yoga classes. Most, but not all, survey takers were women ages 25 – 34.

To give you a quick summary of the results, here are 5 key takeaways.

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1. Favorite Weekday Nights

For whatever reason, Monday and Wednesday evenings seem to be the weekday evenings of choice to attend yoga classes. Not surprisingly, weekend mornings were the best for most people.

2. Trends Aren’t So Trendy

Survey takers overwhelming preferred traditionally based yoga classes over the trendier classes. Based on the goat yoga craze, I thought that it might be more highly ranked. But not even close. Substance based yoga is another hot trend. But very few respondents were interested and one person was definitely not a fan. “Bummed to hear of substance- based yoga.”

Speaking of hot. Hot yoga was not a favorite. “Recently took a hot yoga class. I felt like I was going to pass out.”

3. Get The Music Right

Music was quite important to respondents enjoyment of a class. Bad music could be especially problematic. “[S]ome instructors have played very odd music (in my opinion) for a yoga class including those that mentioned “genocide”, “strippers”, etc. and was distracting[.]”

4. Instructors Should Be Hands On

While cost was a factor to some, what’s most important is the skill, kindness and enthusiasm of the instructor. “I love knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers who create meaningful yoga flows that challenge attendees! I struggle with expensive classes that don’t challenge me physically.”

An instructor who can find the right balance of mindfulness, physicality, flow and intensity will hit the sweet spot for students. “Dislike – when it’s not a good flow and more like a boot camp class.”

5. Nobody Identified As Black

Respondents were asked to describe their race/ethnicity. 11 people did not respond to the question and nobody who answered identified as Black. This result was especially surprising and disappointing to me, as a Black person offering the survey. Did they just not respond to the survey? Did they take the survey and just not answer this question? I have more questions than answers.

I had hoped to show the inclusiveness of yoga here in Boston. Because there are Black people not just taking yoga classes in the Boston area, but also teaching it. From the POC (People of Color) Practice at Hive Soul Yoga, to Afro Flow Yoga®, to Linda Wellness Warrior, Mike Massey at 33 Degree Yoga and more.

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Overall, these takeaways give you a glimpse of the survey results. But they are just an appetizer before the meal. I hope that you’ll dig in and read the whole survey write-up. Again, you can find the PDF document by clicking here.

I’m very interested in what you think of the survey results! Let me know in the comments or send me an email!

Summer 2017: Free Yoga Boston

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A silhouette of a woman standing in a tree pose, outdoors on uneven ground, arms overhead, yoga classes Boston..

While the listing of free yoga classes is year-round now, updating for the seasons, this is the 5th Annual listing of free yoga classes for the summer. Thank you to those who have taken the Free Yoga Boston Survey!

INTRODUCTION

Remember there are Meetups in the area to try out. Hands To Heart Center Yoga – Yoga for the People provides free yoga classes for people living with poverty and trauma in Boston. Check out their website and Twitter for class schedules.

Boston Medical Center has a list of affordable yoga classes around Boston. Make sure to look for community classes offered by yoga studios in your area. Many are offered at discounted rates. A growing trend is libraries offering free yoga classes. Just one more reason to frequent your local library!

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Here are some general suggestions for those of you who may be new to taking free yoga classes that are outdoors. Classes listed here are free or donation based.

Sometimes mats and props might be available to you, but don’t count on it. If they are available, there may not be enough for everyone. So bringing your own mat, water, towel, etc., is the general rule.

Double check if the weather is bad. Usually the organization’s Twitter, Facebook page and/or website will give an update if the class will be cancelled. Sometimes classes are brought indoors instead.

Most outdoor summer classes are over by the end of September or sooner. Based on my sources, most classes take place on the days listed, but there can be gaps in the schedule for certain weeks, so you may want to double check first before you go. Also, most classes last for an hour, but when I am not sure, I do not put an end time.

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The Free Yoga Boston Community on Facebook is updated most everyday and 1,400+ have “Liked” the page. Check each day for all sorts of yoga news in addition to free yoga classes in Boston and beyond.

Sign up for the Free Yoga Boston email list! When you are on the email list, you’ll be one of the first to know about changes and updates to this schedule. More than 350 have signed up so far!

Every once in a while, when I learn about one-off special yoga classes and/or related events that might interest you, I will send an email to keep you in the know!

If you know of other free or donation based classes in the Boston area that are missing from this list or are on the list, but need correction, please let me know.

This “Big List” is always a work in progress and will be updating for the fall. There will be updates, so if you have not signed up for the email list, keep checking back. Namaste!

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MONDAY

P.O. Fitness Classes ~ Yoga with Christine
Norman B. Leventhal Park (Financial District, Boston)
5:30pm – 6:30pm

This all levels class will strengthen the body, unwind the mind and uplift the spirit. Join us to breathe, move, stretch and relax in the sunshine. Start your week off with self-care to feel balanced and refreshed. Check the Facebook page for updates and cancellations.

Yoga
McGann Playground (Hyde Park)
6:30pm

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

TUESDAY

Yoga
Medal of Honor Park (M Street, South Boston)
6:30am

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Sunrise Yoga on the Dock
Community Boating Docks (21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston)
6:30am – 7:30am

Anne Marie Costantino will help you begin your day with a supportive, gentle vinyasa flow that focuses on building postures from the ground up and exploring modifications. Anne Marie teaches an alignment-focused, slow flow style of yoga. With a focus on the breath, she guides students step-by-step into a pose and offers many modifications, making it a safe environment for practitioners of every level. These free yoga classes in Boston are offered in partnership with Athleta on Newbury Street through August. Class location is between MGH T stop and the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade and no parking is available. Please bring your own mat. For cancellations and updates, check their Twitter.

Yoga in the Park
Fitness in Cushman Park (Cushman Park, Green Street, Fairhaven)
8:30am – 9:30am

The South Coast community is keeping fit and staying healthy with free yoga classes through August 24th. Bring a mat and classes are weather permitting. See the Facebook page for updates.

Chair Yoga
Symphony Park (The Fenway)
10am

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Yoga
Franklin Square (South End)
6pm

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are held indoors as part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The listing for this class has changed since I last updated this list. Before community members were welcome in addition to BMC patients and staff. Will try and confirm if still open to the community.

WEDNESDAY

P.O. Fitness Classes ~ Yoga Bootcamp with Emily
Norman B. Leventhal Park (Financial District, Boston)
7:15am – 8:15am

Kick off your mornings by burning a ton of calories, getting stronger, and having fun! The class includes a variety of exercises including body-weight strength training, bursts of cardio and endurance, and HIIT to really boost your workout. Come to break a sweat, but leave feeling relaxed and centered. Check the Facebook page for updates and cancellations.

Summer Yoga
Slocum’s River Reserve (Horseneck Rd., Dartmouth)
8:30am – 9:30am

Jeff Costa teaches yoga for the 5th consecutive Summer of healthy lifestyle programming in nature ~ thanks to Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust – DNRT and Hawthorn Medical Associates. There is a $5.00 donation and classes take place through August 16th.

Prenatal Yoga
Whittier Wellness & Fitness Club (1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury)
9:30am – 10:30am

Connect with your unborn baby at these prenatal classes, which are open to the public. You don’t have to be a club member to attend. From what I can tell, classes are held indoors and will be year-round.

Sunset Yoga
The Esplanade (Fiedler Field – Arthur Fiedler Memorial Head, Boston)
6pm

Challenge your mind and body while enjoying beautiful river views with class instructor Sara Divello. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and please bring your own mat. Classes go through early September.

Seaport Sweat
Yoga with Jenna Hill (85 Northern Avenue, Boston)
6pm – 7pm

The Seaport District offers classes on Seaport Green through October. Sweat and flow with beautiful views of the city and ocean along to music provided by DJ Sprino. Bring your own mat and water and register for classes before attending.

THURSDAY

P.O. Fitness Classes ~ Yoga with Emily
Norman B. Leventhal Park (Financial District, Boston)
7:15am – 8:15am

Come flow into your weekend. This class will get your body moving and heart rate up first thing in the morning. Then enjoy a deep stretch and period of relaxation before starting your day. Check the Facebook page for updates and cancellations.

Yoga
Almont Park(Mattapan)
10am

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Yoga Classes at Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building (830 Harrison Avenue, Boston)
4:30pm – 6pm

These yoga classes are not just during the summer and are held indoors as part of the Program for Integrative Medicine & Health Care Disparities. Take the elevator or stairs down to the basement. The listing for this class has changed since I last updated this list. Before community members were welcome in addition to BMC patients and staff. Will try and confirm if still open to the community.

FREE Summer Yoga
Boston Common Frog Pond (Downtown Boston)
6pm – 7:15pm

Power vinyasa flow classes will take place through August 31st and is for students of all levels. Challenge yourself. Release stress. Expand energy and tap into the beauty of trees, grass, and water  at Boston’s most historic park. Sessions are held on the lawn adjacent to the Frog Pond Carousel.  Weather related cancellations will be posted on the Frog Pond Facebook page.

FRIDAY

Lunchtime Yoga
Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center (Rose F. Kennedy Greenway, Boston)
12pm – 1pm

Now through September 2nd, enjoy all-levels free yoga class in Boston with South Boston Yoga. Change up your lunch hour with a 45-minute yoga class. Bring your own mat and practice right on the grassy lawn. Space is limited, so get there early!

Seaport Sweat
Yoga with Jenna Hill (85 Northern Avenue, Boston)
12pm – 1pm

The Seaport District offers classes on Seaport Green through October. Sweat and flow with beautiful views of the city and ocean along to music provided by DJ Sprino. Bring your own mat and water and register for classes before attending.

SATURDAY

Sunrise Yoga
Anthem Entertainment (Charles River Bistro, Boston)
8am – 9am

Master your downward facing dog this summer with Smooth Vinyasa instructor, Mike Massey! The group will meet at the Charles River Bistro, located directly across from the DCR Hatch Shell at 8am and walk to Fiedler Field as a group. Please bring your  own yoga mat. Participants will receive 50% off of Jazz Brunch at The Charles River Bistro following class. Classes go through August.

Riverfront Yoga
Baxter Riverfront Park Amphitheater (100 Great River Road, Somerville)
9am – 10am

Relax and restore along the Mystic River with free yoga classes offered to you by Assembly Row. Advance registration is required. Day of registration will be available only if space permits. If it rains, the class is moved to 521 Assembly Row, next to DAVID’s Tea. Also check the Facebook page for updates.

Yoga in Franklin Park
Schoolmaster Hill (Roxbury/Dorchester, Boston)
9:15am – 10:15am

Breathe, enjoy, activate your body and mind with an all levels yoga. Classes organized by Linda the Wellness Warrior, who will teach with guest yoga instructors throughout September 17th.  Look for signs directing you from the main park road. Parking in the small gravel lot across from the Schoolmaster Hill path and the golf course. If it rains, class will be cancelled, so check her Facebook page for updates. Classes are free, but $5 is a suggested donation to support Yoga For The People. The class location will change to the Valley Gates Parking Lot for September classes.

Family Yoga
Almont Park(Mattapan)
10am

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Saturday Seasonal Yoga
The Liberty Hotel (Charles Street, Beacon Hill, Boston)
10am

Back in 2009, The Liberty was one of the first hotels in Boston, or anyplace in the area for that matter, to start offering free yoga classes in the summer. They set the trend and still offer free classes in collaboration with Equinox. Guests of the hotel and members of the community are welcome to take the class for free. Classes are year round. In the summer, classes are outside in the courtyard. In the cooler months, they are indoors. Check with the concierge to find the exact class location, since it appears to change.

Island Yoga
Boston Harbor Islands (Spectacle Island, Boston)
10:15am – 11:45am

Now through September 3rd, enjoy all-levels free yoga class with South Boston Yoga on Spectacle Island. Unless you have your own boat, you will be taking a ferry. The 9:30 ferry is recommended, then meet at the Spectacle Island Visitor Center. You might want to make a day of it and go swimming or have a picnic. Just 15 minutes from downtown Boston, Spectacle Island is the highest point in the harbor, with spectacular views of the city and other islands. While the classes are free, you will have to pay to take the ferry.

SUNDAY

Vinyasa Yoga
Winthrop Square/Minot Rose Garden (St. Paul St. and Freeman St., Brookline)
8am – 9am

Classes take place through August 27th. Coolidge Corner Yoga and The Brookline Departments of Health and Parks and Open Space will be co-hosting a free all-levels Vinyasa flow in front of the rose garden. Sign up for classes on the yoga studio website and get updates on their Facebook page.

Donation Hatha Yoga
Arnold Arboretum near Dawson Pond (Jamaica Plain, Boston)
9am – 10am

Classes are provided by Branching Out Yoga, which is the brainchild of Jennifer Maniates.  She offers these free yoga classes in Boston on the first and third Sundays of the month. Check the Facebook page for updates.

Free Yoga Medford
Medford Condon Shell Park (Medford)
10am – 11am

Lauren Farenga firmly believes yoga should be for All People and All bodies! That’s why she is offering free yoga every week to her community!

Island Yoga
Boston Harbor Islands (Grape Island, Boston)
11:30am – 12:30pm

Now through August 16th, enjoy all-levels free yoga class with Open Doors Yoga Studios on Grape Island. This style of yoga provides a space for all to challenge themselves, release stress, expand energy, and tap into the beauty of the Boston Harbor.

Yoga
Pinebank Promontory (Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain)
2pm

Free yoga classes are offered all over Boston as part of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Summer Fitness Series. Classes end August 31st.

Yoga For Runners
Boston Marathon adidas Runbase (855 Boylston Street, Boston)
6:30pm

These free yoga classes in Boston are vinyasa flow, and are on select Sundays are customized to bring balance to overworked muscles used when running. All levels of yoga experience are welcome, but you may need to register each week.

Yoga Trends: Is Goat Yoga Coming to New England?

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Light brown goat looking up from behind a fence.

Is this goat looking for a yoga class?

Who knows what goes on in the mind of a goat? I can’t say no for sure. Can you?

Based on the number of articles about goat yoga classes that I have seen lately, it looks like a trend that could be around for a while. Though it seems that humans tend to push the yoga agenda on the goats.

Goat yoga started in Oregon. Then jumped to Arizona. And now it looks like goat yoga has arrived in New Jersey. It seems that goat yoga is moving eastward.

So how about New England? Last summer I met some goats at Sakonnet Farm in Rhode Island and took the picture above. Could a goat yoga class spring up here?

Warmer weather is coming to New England soon. The time is ripe for planning fun outdoor yoga classes. Why not add goats?

Let’s hope that this fun yoga trend doesn’t leave us New Englanders behind and arrives soon.

When the donut ice cream cone trend jumped from Europe to the United States, I gave you the news here first. It’s my mission to do the same for you with goat yoga!

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Updated 3/16/2017: Goat yoga has arrived in Detroit!
Updated 4/6/2017: They’re doing goat yoga in Florida!
Updated 4/16/2017: Goat yoga is in New England! New Hampshire beat us to the punch!
Updated 4/21/2017: Goat yoga is in Massachusetts! But for now, you have to go out west to Easthampton!

Boston’s Latest Crafty Girl Craze: Terrariums

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Many terrariums and plants on a table for workshop.

Spring is finally here. It’s National Park Week and tomorrow is Earth Day. So it’s the perfect time to think about all the beauty of the earth.

Many of us don’t want to only enjoy the beauty of trees and plants when we’re outdoors, but we want to bring the lush greenery inside as well. I’ve been blessed with a green thumb and have plants and trees growing quite nicely in my apartment. Tending my plants is very relaxing and a kind of meditation for me.

It seems that I’m not the only one who feels this way about plants, because a new zen trend that I see growing 😀 is terrariums.

Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street has a weekly “Plant Nite” where you can build terrariums and enjoy food and drinks.  But it’s not the only place. Plant Nite, similar to Paint Nite, brings people together at different restaurant venues all around the Boston area where they can drink and go home with a terrarium.

Niche, focuses on urban garden supply and is located on Tremont Street in the South End. They encourage plant ownership and sometimes offer classes and workshops on terrarium building.

This Sunday morning, on April 24th, Shake the Tree, which is located on Salem Street in the North End, will be holding a terrarium building workshop along with mimosas and breakfast bites.

If you’d like to go west of Boston, on June 5th, Tovah Martin of Terrarium Wise will be speaking about terrariums and there will be a workshop as well. This event will be held at Brandt House B & B, located in Greenfield, Massachusetts and sponsored by the Greenfield Garden Club.

If you can’t make it to an event, or even if you can, maybe you’d like to wear a terrarium. Dara Cheek, of Hieropice, who I met at ASSEMBLED in Somerville, makes the cutest terrarium necklaces that you can buy from her Etsy shop.

You can also just make terrariums at home. West Elm gives a tutorial on making a tabletop terrarium. Sunset Magazine also gives some nice ideas for DIY terrariums.

Whatever way you choose to enjoy terrariums, you’re sure to have some fun!

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Flickr Photo Credit: Terrarium Workshop by Amy Gizienski

Self-Care for Foodies: A Breakfast Board

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Breakfast Board as self-care

The breakfast board is not my creation. But I do love the idea after reading about it on A Cup of Jo and if feels like self-care. Maybe it’s the next big trend for the picnic season? It would be kind of fun eating this outside.

Somehow if feels rather fanciful eating from a board. Maybe because it’s different. So it seems special. Like I ordered it from room service at a posh hotel, even though I made it myself.

While this is a normal breakfast, I did take more care with placement as I spread everything out — a boiled egg, a pear, a bit of avocado, vanilla Greek yogurt with granola, dates and walnuts.

As more of us focus on self-care, so that we can accomplish what we want in any given day, and remain happy, not just sane, we each find different ways of nurturing ourselves.

I think the breakfast board is a nice way. It’s probably not something we’ll do everyday, but it’s a nice change.

Sometimes we just need a change in order to be a bit more productive and creative. Last night, I attended a dinner meeting at the UMass Club. Dinner was wonderful and our group accomplished a lot.

UMass Club view of Mass State House

When we walked into our room and looked out the windows, we were all struck by the view.

While I’ve been in many tall buildings in Boston and seen plenty of gorgeous views of the city, this was not the same area as usual, so the view was different.

Umass Club view of Prudential and John Hancock buildings

I’ve walked around Center Plaza and Government Center countless times. But never seen them  from 32 floors above! The same for the Massachusetts State House. A change in perspective can gives us a new way to look at life. And sometimes, that’s all we really need.