Normally, you will be required to use all of your classes by a specific deadline (eg 3 months), but otherwise, you will not be limited to long lock periods.
If you go to yoga a few times a week and find yourself burning through class packages, it makes sense to sign up for a monthly membership.
This is the pricing model that most large gym chains use with yoga classes: you pay the same flat fee no matter how many classes you attend. The longer the commitment, the lower the monthly rate.
| Yoga classes in Singapore | monthly transit | Locations |
| yoga company | 350 dollars | Buona Vista, Punggol, Tampines, Sims Ave, ECP |
| Home Yoga | 309 dollars | River Valley, Central Orchard |
| Platinum Yoga | $88 – $100 | AMK, Clementi, Jurong Point, Parkway, Toa Payoh, Westgate |
| pure yoga | $200 – $240 | Ngee Ann City, Asia Square, Suntec, Republic Plaza |
| JAL YOGA | ~ $130 | Alexandra, Katong, Bukit Timah, Upper Thompson, Woodlands |
| real yoga | ~$150 | Tampines, Tua Payoh, Jurong |
| Trust yoga | $120 | Teluk Air |
| Jian Yoga | $240 | Principe Street |
| Freedom Yoga | $250 | Dutch Village |
| lava yoga | $198 | The great city of the world |
While getting a monthly pass can be cost-effective if you do yoga frequently, think twice before agreeing to a commitment period as long as one year.
This means you can’t easily jump ship if your favorite coach leaves, if management changes, or if your favorite studio location shuts down. And if you pay $1000+ up front for membership and the yoga studio closes… well, your money back isn’t going to be easy.
Why do some yoga studios in Singapore cost more than others?
There are a number of factors that make a class at one yoga school different from a class at another. But in general, here are some factors to consider when evaluating a demo class.
Class size: The average class size can range from as little as 10 to 30. Ask the studio what the maximum class size is. Also note that if you go to classes at off-peak hours, such as weekday afternoons, the class size will likely be much smaller. Small class sizes mean that you will get more help from the teacher when you encounter difficulties.
Ambiance: Studios spend a lot on designing their interiors and trying to create an ambiance that suits their target audience. Large gyms and chains like Pure Yoga tend to have very modern-looking interiors, sometimes with views of skyscrapers from the windows. The yoga movement is known for its endearing premises.
Teachers: Two teachers in the same yoga studio can have vastly different styles, so this is very subjective. But as a general rule, teachers in sports disciplines like Bikram or Vinyasa tend to be more energetic and sometimes strict, while teachers in softer styles like yin and hatha tend to be more nurturing.
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Class Frequency: Large Pure Yoga studios have schedules full of yoga classes available almost every second of the day, ideal for those who want to attend classes during odd hours. Small studios may only have morning or evening lessons on weekdays.
Available styles: Want to try a buffet of styles or focus on a specific style? Again, larger studios have the advantage of being able to offer a wide range of styles for those who want to get involved. On the other hand, if you want step-by-step guidance in a particular style, look for a boutique school that specializes in it.
Crowds: How crowded a particular studio is will affect whether you can schedule a class at the last minute. The central locations of the larger chains tend to be very crowded after 6pm on weekdays, while smaller boutique studios, especially those further from the CBD, tend to have a bit more breathing room.
Location: Larger gym chains and larger boutique studios have multiple locations, and you’re usually allowed to use all of them with a single subscription or package. Smaller studios will be limited to one or two locations.
Community: The people you’ll be practicing with and the kind of community the school builds is something you might want to think about. In general, in large gyms and chains, there is more anonymity. People come to class and then leave. In boutique or smaller establishments, there may be a greater sense of community. Additionally, some studios such as Yoga Movement and Yoga Inc. Have places to relax where you can socialize before and after class.
Mats and Towels: Check if you are required to bring your own mats and towels. If it’s available on site, you’ll want to know if it’s free or for rent. Generally, gyms and large chains will provide free mats and towels. In boutique studios, you may be expected to bring your own.
Shower facilities: These are generally available in large chains and gyms, but not always in boutique studios, so ask in advance. If you do hot yoga, you will definitely need to take a shower.
Other Facilities: More and more studios now have cafes and concessions on site, making yoga a more active lifestyle. Some also organize social events and programs for members.
Hatha yoga, hot yoga, vinyasa yoga… which yoga style should you choose?
If we are to be pedantic about it, yoga is a group of practices that came from India. And by practices, we don’t just mean twisting yourself into cookie-like poses.
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In addition to the asanas, which are the physical postures we used to associate with yoga, yoga practices also include cleansing exercises to ensure parts of your body are free of impurities, as well as breathing control exercises called pranayama. There are other yoga practices, such as etiquette and diet, that are not generally taught in schools.
Does this sound a long way from beer yoga, laughter yoga and other new variants we’re used to hearing? yes. The vast majority of the methods we see today were Western modifications (or modifications made when Indian teachers left for the West) of the traditional ways of practicing them.
For example, Bikram yoga, the original “hot yoga”, in which practitioners perform a series of asanas in a warm room, was undoubtedly started by an Indian teacher, but only when he immigrated to the United States and established a system of appeal to the American public.
Before you choose a studio or school, you first need to understand the style you are interested in practicing. I’m not sure? Dip your toes in the water of some styles by attending demo classes.
Here are some of the most popular yoga styles in Singapore.
Hatha yoga: A series of postures performed at a comfortable pace. Depending on the teacher, this can be done in a series or with breaks in between.
Bikram Yoga: The Original Hot Yoga. A series of 26 static positions performed in a heated room.
Hot yoga: A series of poses done in a warm room. However, the sequence of positions can be of any kind – it is not necessary to follow the Bikram sequence.
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Ashtanga Yoga: A series of physically demanding and powerful postures. It gives an aerobic workout, so get ready to sweat by the end of the session.
Vinyasa yoga: A dynamic and powerful series of exercises practiced in series, similar to Ashtanga yoga.
Yin Yoga: Poses are held for long periods of time to deeply stretch muscles and ligaments.
Iyengar yoga: The poses are held for a long time, and props such as straps and blocks are used to help the practitioners go deeper into the pose.
Kundalini Yoga: Originally, the traditional form of this style involved a lot of meditation, pranayama and chanting with the goal of stimulating the life force at the base of the spine. Modern hues can look very different and have a stronger focus on situations, but they generally don’t require much from a physical point of view.
Acro Yoga: As the name suggests, it is a hybrid of yoga and acrobatics. It is a form of partner yoga, which means that you perform poses while holding or lifting by a partner.
Aerial Yoga: You perform postures while suspended from the ceiling on a mantle.
Prenatal yoga: As the same suggests, it is a kind of gentle yoga for pregnant women.
In the end, choosing a yoga school is a very personal matter, and you have to ask yourself what you want to get out of your practice.
This article was first published on MoneySmart.
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