Donations Make Yoga Affordable

Austin, TX - With people tightening their budgets, a local business owner wants to make sure yoga isn’t something that gets cut.

The owner of Black Swan Yoga says yoga has changed his life for the better and he wants to give others the same opportunity.

He knows that many are watching their spending closely and asks students to give what they can, when they can.

“Black Swan Yoga is Austin’s donation-based yoga studio,” said Mike Grey of Black Swan Yoga.

No set fees, no memberships, just suggested donations of $10 a class, $30 a week or $90 a month.
Grey believes yoga should be affordable and accessible to everyone.

“However much money you have in your pocket you could actually come do a yoga class any time of day on any day of the week,” he said.

If one week you can’t pay, make up for it when you can.

“I just had a student come in the morning and she forgot her wallet and didn't have any money with her. I was like that's fine, just donate next time,” Grey said.

Grey knows that times are tough and doesn’t want yoga to be the expense that gets dropped.

“A lot of times people look at their wallet and cut out something like yoga, and I would rather them not cut out yoga and be able to come to class,” he said.

The studio’s relaxed attitude is well received by students who say they always try to make the suggested donation, but don’t feel any pressure.

“That’s something I really wanted to create for Austin. A studio that was laid back, that the students were laid back and there wasn’t and pressure on signing up for a membership or this or that,” Grey said.

Black Swan Yoga is on 5th St. west of Lamar.