Today — June 21, 2016 — is International Day of Yoga, meant to celebrate a practice that “embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being.”
The Nashville area is absolutely brimming with yoga studios, from East Nashville to Brentwood, 12 South to Germantown, so if we were to attempt a round-up of all the great places to practice around here, you’d be reading until George R.R. Martin finishes The Winds of Winter. (If you’re not a Game of Thrones fan, that means you’ll be here a long, long time.)
A fun thing for longtime Nashville yogis and yoga newbies alike, though: We also have quite a few unique, free yoga opportunities around town, that’ll let you check out a new studio’s teachers, explore a new part of town and/or see if yoga is something you might want to get into in the first place.
In honor of International Day of Yoga, we collected a few of the best free Nashville yoga classes we know about — if you know of some others, please let us know!
Free yoga in Nashville
Yoga in the Park
Every Tuesday June through August, Lightning 100’s Team Green Adventures and East Nashville’s Kali Yuga Yoga combine forces to bring the free Yoga in the Park series to Centennial Park in Midtown. The classes are beginner-friendly (but suited for experienced yogis too) and you don’t need to register — just bring your yoga mat or a towel, and get to the Centennial Park Sand Volleyball Courts (Park Plaza & 31st Avenue) promptly at 6 p.m.
Yoga + Coffee Social
Hot Yoga of East Nashville helps you get the day going Thursdays at 6 a.m. outside at the flagship Barista Parlor (519-B Gallatin Avenue). It’s free, but you might wanna bring some cash for when the Barista doors open at 7. Those biscuit sandwiches might kill your calorie burn, but… worth it.
Be Well at NPL
Nashville has a really wonderful library system with tons of free events that range from education to entertainment to wellness. Among the latter offerings: The Nashville Public Library’s Be Well at NPL program, including free yoga classes. Lots of different library locations host yoga practice on different days — in East Nashville, it’s every Tuesday in June, July, and August; in Goodlettsville, it’s every Thursday, May through August; Bellevue, Wednesdays.
Yoga Buzz at Acme Feed & Seed
We love that the folks behind restaurant/venue Acme Feed & Seed downtown took a historic property and reimagined it into something cool and new, without ditching the century-old charm. We also love that they’re inviting people in to enjoy their rooftop view while getting energized and centered: Their Yoga Buzz morning practices with Sanctuary for Yoga, Body & Spirit — 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month, May through October — pair yoga with fresh air and a beautiful downtown view. And drink specials.
King of Pops Yoga
Artisanal ice pops purveyors King of Pops are cool neighbors, for more than one reason. Starting in April, they teamed up with instructor MC Hoffner to offer free weekly yoga classes in Bicentennial Park in Germantown, next to the Nashville Farmers Market. Head by 600 James Robertson Parkway at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and bring your mat, maybe some extra cash for a post-practice handmade ice pop treat.
Hope those give you some inspiration for free yoga fun. If you have some cool options to add, definitely let us know!