Lifeline Power Yoga was built on the belief that yoga should be accessible to everyone.

Owner Sid McNairy III, 41, opened his first donation-based studio in Towson, I Do Yoga, in 2004. When that closed, he opened Lifeline Power Yoga in 2007 and stayed with the donation-based business model.  

Despite four moves, McNairy has been able to keep Lifeline running on student donations, until now. 

Last fall, Lifeline moved into its fifth home—a deluxe 6000-square-foot location at 321 York Road, across from the Towson Library.  

The new venue has two heated yoga studios, massage rooms, restrooms with showers, a check-in area, retail area, teachers’ lounge and executive office.   

The last studio, just a few blocks away on Allegheny Avenue, was small, simple, dirty, and smelled of sweat. It had one bathroom and no showers. Students said they wanted amenities. The upgraded studio on York Road has them, but they come with a price.

McNairy said he had to begin charging students because class donations were not generating enough revenue to cover the studio’s expenses such as heat, rent and utilities. 

“Unfortunately, we live in a society where we do have bills,” he said.  

Lifeline students now pay $12 to $15 per class, depending on the number of classes they purchase at one time. Class tickets are called Karma Cards.  

The new prices are comparable to those of other yoga studios in the Baltimore area. Charm City Yoga Towson is located just three blocks away on Allegheny Avenue. A drop-in class there costs $16. Community Classes are also offered throughout the week for $6 per class. 

McNairy said some classes will remain donation-based in order to make yoga accessible to everyone. He teaches up to seven classes per week. All donation-based classes are clearly identified on Lifeline’s online schedule. 

The suggested donation is $10 or $8 for high school and college students.  

Karma Cards went into effect Aug. 1. McNairy said the response has been good and students are supportive of the change and glad Lifeline’s doors will stay open.  

The following are Lifeline's Karma Card Packages:

Five class pack = $65

Ten class pack = $120

Twenty class pack = $220

Unlimited monthly pass = $165 

Drop-in, individual class = $15 

Students with identification receive discounts.

Join in next week as we discuss the difference between Pilates and yoga.