National Yoga Month: 10 deals for beginner yogis

As we leave behind the relaxing vacation mode of summer and begin the hustle and bustle of the fall, it is the perfect time to make sure you carve out some time for yourself to focus on your own health and happiness. Don't let the rat race drag you down. September is National Yoga Month and a great opportunity to see how yoga can help you adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Yoga is a combination of Hindu philosophy, breath control, meditation and postures of the body. In past years, in order to learn from a real yoga master, you had to travel all the way to India, but today thanks to a strong movement in the United States, yoga has become a popular lifestyle choice all across the country.

In 2008 the Department of Health & Human Services designated September National Yoga Month and now every year yoga centers across the country use this month to bring more awareness of the benefits of yoga and to offer special deals to encourage beginners to give it a try.

This combination of both mental and physical exercise is known to have many health benefits according to the Yoga Health Foundation, including reduction of obesity, hypertension, chronic back pain, asthma, heart disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and has been found an effective addition to the treatment of breast cancer (reduces discomfort and stress), menopause, and depression. The American Heart Association also lists yoga as a way to improve heart health, and a 2005 study done by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wa. found that mindful eating and yoga practice has a greater impact on weight than walking and running do.

In honor of this year's National Yoga Month, here are some local studios who are offering special deals for beginner yogis:

On Wednesday, September 3 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Our Yoga Home in Conshohocken is offering a "New to Yoga 4-Week Beginner Series" where you will learn asana (the physical practice) and pranayama (breathwork) as well as the philosophy of yoga. Fee is $79. For more information, call 484-344-5040 or e-mail info@ouryogahome.com.

Also on Wednesday at Wake Up Yoga in South Philadelphia, from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., you can take "Introduction to Kundalini Yoga Series with Swaran Kaur." The fee is $60 for four Wednesday classes. For more information, call 215-235-1228 or e-mail info@wakeupyoga.com.

At tAra Yoga in Abington,Pa., Sundays at 4 p.m. are "Pay What You Can." Remember that they will only accept cash or a yoga card. They are also offering a new promotion starting September 2 and running through September 15 where you can register for a month of unlimited classes for $69.99 (normally it is $89.99). Another option is their discount: 30 Days of Yoga for $30. For more information call 215-305-8325 or e-mail tarayogaphilly@gmail.com.

In the Kensington section of the city, Pacific Yoga starting Thursday is conducting its "Yoga 101" class from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ask about their new student special: 2 Weeks Unlimited Yoga. Call 267-788-2776 or e-mail pacificyogaphilly@gmail.com for more information.

Yoga Garden located both in Narberth, Pa., and in Center City, is welcoming new students with their full week of unlimited yoga for $20. You can also sign up for your first month for $50. The Narberth studio can be reached at 610-664-2705. The phone number for the South Street location is 215-238-0980.

If you have elementary school age children who are interested in yoga, then check out Focus Fitness Main Line's "Tween Yoga with Eliakim Warren" for ages 9 to 12. This six week course will occur Mondays from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. during two sessions, September 8 through October 20, and October 27 through December 8. Each series costs $90.

Yoga studios in New Jersey are also offering beginner discounts. Princeton Center for Yoga & Health in Skillman, New Jersey, is offering free classes for new visitors when you sign up for the newsletter and a 4 for $40 welcome sampler until December 31, 2014. You can reach them at 609-924-7294.

Yoga for Living in Cherry Hill, New Jersey is offering a "Free Intro Yoga Class with Jason Cooper" for newcomers to the studio. This is a once a month class and September's class, "Slow Power Flow" will be held September 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. After this class, you can then sign up for the Three Classes for $30 deal. All three classes must be used within three weeks of purchase. To sign up, call 856-404-7287.

Bee Inspired Yoga in Woodstown, New Jersey has a September special as well: $50 for unlimited yoga and drop in's are always welcome for $10. This studio can be reached at 856-491-0067 or yogagirl1429@gmail.com

You can also register for a first class free at YogaLife Institute in Devon, Pa. Even in you are not new to yoga, but are new to the studio, the discount still applies. Contact the instructors at 610-688-7030.

If you have been curious about yoga, but have been nervous about making a large commitment, these introductory offerings are an easy way to see if it is right for you.