Barter Your Time for Free Yoga

Flow in the News

Style Section
Sunday, April 24, 2005; Page M08

My neck pain had dissipated, and I was sleeping better -- all thanks to yoga. But at up to $20 a class, my bank account was still hurting. That's why I jumped at the chance to save some cash when I saw a sign advertising a work-exchange program at Boundless Yoga Studio. For six months, I've signed in students, answered questions and done a little tidying around the studio. In return I've earned free classes -- not a bad deal for my health, my checkbook . . . or the studio. Turns out that many yoga spots are independently owned operations without a lot of extra money. "I don't know if I'd be able to run my business without work exchange," said Debra Perlson, owner of seven-month-old Flow Yoga Center. "I'm just breaking even now."

Studios welcome both novices and seasoned yogis, and tasks range from cleaning mats to passing out fliers to managing databases. Vladimir Shioshvili, 26, cleans after classes twice a week at Bikram Yoga Dupont. "It doesn't take that much commitment," he said. "You get to know the teachers on a personal level and get to know about yoga." Here are some places where you can get to work.

FLOW YOGA CENTER. 1450 P St. NW. 202-462-3569. www.flowyogacenter.com One hour of work equals a 1 1/4-hour vinyasa class and a 15 percent discount on merchandise. The studio, next door to Whole Foods, also offers Afro-Brazilian dance and Pilates.

by Susan Breitkopf