Donation-Based Yoga: Good Karma or Good Business?

Online, April 18, 2013 (Newswire.com) - On May 3, Yoga Sol, the only donation-based yoga studio in Minneapolis is turning one and hosting an Open House event to celebrate. The event will launch the studio's summer schedule and will offer a complimentary yoga class set to live music from local music/art collective, The Yes Let's! Collective.

"Donation-based yoga is a movement," says Yoga Sol founder Flor Frey, "It's about getting back to the basics, allowing practitioners to pay what they can and making the transformative power of yoga accessible to everyone while creating community."

Yoga Sol is an innovative yoga studio committed to making yoga accessible to all by offering classes on a pay-what-you-can basis. Yoga Sol opened its doors on May 1, 2012 and is connected to a larger movement of studios across the country that are funded entirely through student donations.

Husband and wife team Flor & Peter Frey provide the strategic direction for the studio, applying the same level of intention and consciousness to their business as yoga requires of its practitioners. The couple continues to benchmark business decisions against questions such as: How can we share yoga with more people? How can we make our teachers feel empowered? How can we deliver the highest quality yoga in the most affordable way?

Building a business based on the principle of Karma, "Has been a big experiment," says Frey. "So far, it is working."

Frey sites the collective spirit of the studio as the reason for its success. The studio features a team of more than 30 teachers who offer more than 30 weekly classes and serve more than 1000 practitioners per month. She says the studio and the model demand a certain type of yoga teacher; one who is consciously and proactively committed to building a more vibrant community, and in return, the studio provides a space where teachers can be creative, think outside the box, experiment with new methods of attracting students to their classes, and grow as teachers. The growing list of experiments includes yoga classes with live music, a David Bowie-themed class on the rockers recent birthday, monthly happy hours, pizza parties, and traditional Japanese tea tastings. The studio's next event will celebrate the teachers and students who make it all possible. The event is open to the public.

Event Details
WHEN: Friday, May 3, 2013 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: 21 5th Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Event Schedule
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Meet & Greet
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Complimentary Vinyasa class (guided by Flor Frey, live music by Peter Frey)
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Complimentary Yoga Sculpt class, guided by Nicole Haffield
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (food and drinks provided)

Photo and Interview Opportunities
Media is encouraged and welcome to attend. Yoga Sol teachers, students and volunteers will be available for interviews and video/photo opportunities.