Why Our English Yoga Classes in Madrid Aren't Free

I recently received a message telling me Madrid Yoga Collective couldn't really be a community, because our classes are paid, and communities should be free. I want to gently but clearly push back on that, and explain exactly what goes into running an English-speaking yoga community in Madrid and why we ask for a contribution to meet costs.

Why do yoga classes cost money?

Let's start here: I don't personally take any payment from Madrid Yoga Collective - for the admin or for the 3 classes per week that I teach. I put in around 20 hours a week building this community, answering messages personally, checking in with people I know are going through something hard. I run our Instagram account, write this blog (!), manage bookings, run a free book club, respond to WhatsApp messages, manage a roster of four teachers, run free events (including a recent week of entirely free classes), liaise with studios to book space, and organise things like hikes, puppy yoga, and holiday parties. On top of that I plan and teach thoughtful, high quality yoga classes directly targeted at the needs, progress, and enjoyment of our community.

So before we go too far, that’s the equivalent of a part-time job offering a huge amount of value for free, and I do it because I love it - I love this community and the space it provides for people to land and make connections in Madrid. But every teacher at Madrid Yoga Collective brings experience and skill to their classes. They spend time preparing, and delivering thoughtful classes that show care for every person who turns up. I would never expect them to do that for nothing, and I don't think it's fair to ask any skilled professional to.

Does running a yoga Community in Madrid cost money?

In short: yes. I don't pay myself, but I do pay studios, so that we have a warm, safe place to practise in winter and somewhere cool enough in the height of summer. That cost is real, high, and ongoing. High quality, dedicated teachers also deserve to be paid fairly, and of course ours are. Our booking platform comes with a cost, and so does this website. Advertising to reach more people who benefit from our services comes at a cost.

We also pay all taxes. We charge VAT at 21%, and we pay tax on everything the community earns, including on the portion that represents my own unpaid labour. We don’t deserve a medal for this - it should be the norm. I’m sure it is very easy to offer very cheap classes if you're not paying taxes; I don't think that's especially yogic, and it's not how we operate. Enough said.

Why paid yoga classes build a stronger community

This might be the most important point of all: people tend not to value what costs them nothing.

I started out running entirely free yoga classes, and what I quickly learned is that it's very easy to say yes to something free and then simply not show up, because you haven't actually committed anything to it. That's not a character flaw, it’s classic human behaviour.

What I've found instead is that when people make even a small payment, they show up. They're invested, quite literally, in being there. A community works when people turn up consistently, with real commitment to looking after each other, and respect for each other's time and energy. This is actually what sets us apart from the endless whatsapp groups with promises to meet up that never eventuate, or people who come once and you never see them again. We are a committed, consistent, invested group.

Paying for a class doesn't make us less of a community

I keep costs as accessible as possible, but it does cost something to come to a Madrid Yoga Collective class, because there's a huge amount of work, experience, skill, and care behind every single one. I'd argue that's precisely what makes us a real community, rather than less of one. We pay our taxes and contribute to the society we live in. We spend real hours caring for our people. We build classes with the actual humans who'll be in the room in mind, and we care about our members because everyone is invested in those relationships, in part because of what that cost represents - skill, care, wrap-around service. And if the feedback from those in our community is anything to go by, it’s worth every centimo.

If you're searching for English yoga classes in Madrid and wondering what your class cost goes towards, this is it: fair pay for skilled teachers, spaces to practise in, a fully taxed and legitimate operation, and a community that people truly show up for because they've chosen to invest in it.

FAQ: Paying for yoga classes and community in Madrid

Why do yoga classes cost money if they're meant to build community? Running a real yoga community involves paying skilled teachers fairly, covering studio hire, and contributing taxes like any legitimate business. A small class fee is what makes consistent, high-quality classes and a well cared-for community possible.

Are Madrid Yoga Collective's teachers paid for their classes? Yes. Madrid Yoga Collective teachers are paid for their time, preparation, and expertise, which we value and respect.

Do free yoga classes build stronger communities than paid ones? Honestly, very rarely. People come and go as they please, often cancelling last minute. Free classes tend to have lower levels commitment, since people who haven't invested anything are more likely to skip. A small financial investment tends to build a more consistent, engaged community, and that’s exactly what we’re all about.