Anna Med
August 11, 2016 11:08
The Original donation based Vinyasa flow yoga! Come here for a transformative experience. $2 for a mat, $1 for water, $10 recommended donation. Classes get full quickly as this is a very popular spot and the original of the yoga to the people, which has since expanded to Brooklyn, UWS, Berkeley, and San Francisco. My favorite teachers and the strongest ones tend to be in the first studio, so arrive 30 minutes early to catch a spot. As the first studio fills up, they send you upstairs to the next studios, which could be great if you're looking for a more beginner experience, as the regulars tend to show up early in the first studio. It can get pretty close during peak hours, nearly body to body - personally I love that kind of experience because I feed off of that energy of a room full of people practicing yoga and breathing, it feels very communal and transcendental. We're all here to better ourselves, and something about that energy gives me life. I swear I've had epiphanies here! The yoga itself is amazing, the teachers generally have an admirable peaceful aura to them that I wish to emulate, and throughout the practice remind us of loving our body and ourselves - a mix between mindfulness, meditation, self-care and love. The mental portion is just as important as the physical, and they do a stupendous job at both. They remind you to go at your own pace, and it's okay to go back to child's pose whenever and as often as you need to. It's also okay to challenge yourself and deepen the pose. If you think yoga is easy, this is the place where you can find out just how much of a workout yoga can truly be. For a first timer it can be daunting as it's like learning a new language - however I recommend you just immerse yourself in the experience and trust that your mind and body will pick up on everything subconsciously, and as you come back a few more times you will ultimately grasp the flow and develop your practice, and your muscle memory will help guide you as well. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a yoga class, or a new way of life. Enjoy!