How Yoga’s Spiritual Origins Set Studios Up to Fail

Rent, health insurance, and HVAC are all foregone conclusions. But there’s one payment I find myself reconsidering each month: the $175 that grants me unlimited access to my neighborhood yoga studio, fairy lights, hardwood floors, centering vibes, and all. It’s my tiny contribution to what is today an $80 billion global yoga industry. My $175 isn’t the least you can spend on yoga (that would be zero—hello, YouTube), but it’s also not the most. Some studios in New York City, where I live, charge $35 per class, nearly as much...