Area Yoga
I’ve heard a wide range of reviews about Area Yoga, everything from a “serenely proportioned class” to “just OK” and the rooms smelling like bleach. So for my first Brooklyn preview — a borough I’m destined to become more familiar with (read the culmination of all my nesting posts) I decided this studio would be a good place to start. I was charmed by it, even before I rolled out my mat. The neighborhood is lovely. The boutique food stands, the just-bigger-than-my-closet stores, corner cafes and NYC residents that actually smile, they all had me at hello.
I was so entranced by the neighborhood I nearly missed Area Yoga, its entrance is discrete and the surrounding construction makes it easy to miss. Once discovered, it whispers an invitation complete with soft breeze and streaming sunlight. There’s no receptionist – behind a computer at the entrance or other yogis anxiously waiting for the next class. The vibe is decidedly laid back. You almost “stumble upon” the reception area, and the smile that greets you is likely to be warm and gentle. The same could be said about the class. It was a “gentle” Ashtanga practice. I’d never really known Ashtanga to be gentle. The ashtanga classes I’ve had in the past weren’t relaxing, (often grueling in fact) — and most dreaded of all, A LOT of binding. Gentle or not, there was no escaping the binding, but we did skip out on the grueling. There were definitely moments when I nearly fell asleep — a first for me in ashtanga anything.
Our instructor gave good guidance and instruction, and kept us at a slow to moderate pace, often reminding us to take it easy. At one point he gently put his hand on my back to encourage ease. Strangely, that was the only time he “adjusted” me, and I’m not really sure it was an adjustment. There were only 4 of us in the class, and I don’t recall him adjusting any of us. Different than the ashtanga-inspired teachers I’ve had in the past, who deeply adjust. The flow also seemed choppy, more like different poses we were practicing in a specific order — which could be actually what he was going for given this was ashtanga inspired. Still, it was a bit unclear. And while he gave clear instructions on what to do, I didn’t feel he was connecting with us individually, he sort of just looked at us and didn’t offer much in the way of pointers.
Overall, the experience was pleasant enough that I would definitely come back and try it again. Even if it’s just to come back to the Cobble Hill charm — which unfortunately is a hard act for any class to follow.
