Rusty Wells' Urban Flow and Donation-Based Yoga Studios

The hottest trend in yoga? Not paying if you don't want to. Donation-based yoga's been around for a while (check out this April article in the New York Times on the trend) and has swept many Bay Area studios with its come-one-come-all mentality.

Rusty Wells, local yoga-master (he's got a cultish following) and recent Wanderlust Festival instructor, just released the first of a video series explaining the ethos behind his donation-based Urban Flow Yoga studio.

Urban Flow Yoga: How This Came To Be from Urban Flow Yoga on Vimeo.

Classes work on a suggested-price system so anyone without extra cash can get in on all that stretching, posing, and downward-dogging. Are you through turning up your nose at yoga yet? Here are a few studios in the city and across the Bay to get you started at:

Yoga to the People, in both Berkeley and San Francisco, has a suggested donation of $10, but nothing's mandatory. It's known for its unpretentious atmosphere, and every class is open to all levels of yoga awareness. 2973 16th St., (917) 573-9642

Laughing Lotus Yoga Center's curriculum isn't all donation-based, but they do offer Vinyasa "community classes" every week day taught by new yoga teachers. You can attend these classes at either the Laughing Lotus studio or at the Women's Building at 3543 18th Street. Donations from these classes benefit the Women's Building. 3271 16th St., (415) 355-1600

Bikram Yoga in the Mission is in the heart of the Mission, and has a separate, sunny studio just for donation-based yoga and other movement classes for both beginners and seasoned yoga-philes. They offer all kinds, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Acroyoga, and men's and women's naked yoga. 2390 Mission St., (415) 401-9642

Yoga on the Labyrinth takes place in the gorgeous, tranquil Grace Cathedral every Tuesday at 6:15 pm. Often they'll have a live musical guest to accompany the session. All donations go to the church and live musical guests. 1100 California St., (415) 578-3377

Where do you do donation-based yoga?

View the discussion thread.

Great studio, amazing teachers, Rusty's classes are hard and entertaining at the same time. I don't know many teachers that can make you laugh at yourself when you are holding an elbow stand inches away from your mat soaked in your own sweat. Rusty is one of the most consistent instructors I have been taught by. He has an amazing group of teachers supporting his studio, including one of my favorites, Pradeep Teotia, another fantastic instructor ready to open you up!

By Sambasiva (not verified) on August 20, 2010

Urban Flow is Rad. The warmth and knowledge of the instructors is amazing and to think that some of the most powerful instructors in the city are at a studio that doesn't let cash be the reason you can't practice. I love Urban Flow.

By Austin (not verified) on August 19, 2010

gray area gallery in the TL has great donation yoga on mondays at 6pm, led by the amazing tony easton. great class, beautiful space.

By red (not verified) on August 19, 2010

Urban Flow is awesome. Really glad Rusty Wells and his crew finally set up a studio and to see it working out. I started going to his temporary studios about 4 years ago off and on, when I had zero money, I was rolling pennies back in those days. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, and helped me get through that time. I now have a good job and am so happy he is back. While I still am a total cheapo, I pay for my classes now. I remember back then being in line & hearing the sunday brunching rich people in line challenging each other to donate $30-$50 per class to help offset the "free" kids. I was like, wow. Maybe they're not total jerks... Hm... While I'm still not *that* rich, I see that the system worked. So, I do give what I can, I mean, they gotta eat and pay rent, too! Besides that, it's the best studio I've found in SF, for newbies and a medium level person which I guess I am now. Been to several other fancy studios, bleh. Other studios are boring boring boring, uptight, bad vibes, pretentious, and focused on all the wrong things if you ask me...

By Anonymous (not verified) on August 18, 2010

Go to James Howell Studio! Best donation-based yoga, I've ever been to. They need our support too. the building is up for sale.

By AC (not verified) on August 18, 2010