Heart Full

Yoga has made it to NYC in a big way and to Union Sq. (coincidently named) in an epic way. There are at least 10 studios in a 5 block radius of Union Sq. and in this hot bed of yoga, we have a new debutante studio, Yoga Vida. I learned about it from my friend Yadana, who had spied their $10 special for new students. One week of unlimited yoga for $10 isn’t something i can say no to. So we found ourselves there on a cool Thursday night, looking forward to their 7pm Advanced class.

The studio is just the way it looks like on the website, an easy kind of plush comfort. Equipment so new, you could be the first one using it. Private dressing rooms, and roomy hallways, and well organized props, it’s in a class all its own. I haven’t seen anything this luxe since the opening days of Ishta.Our class was in the smaller of the two studios — which was still a nice size since the main studio was a verifiable ballroom. Our instructor (zoe?) greeted everyone with a smile and exuded a bright kind of quality. She provided clear instructions in an unfaltering voice, even while she was providing deep assists. She watched us with care, and made sure to assist each of the students, a welcomed change from the many studios (also found in union sq) where while instructions are good, connections are missing. While she knew how to assist us, I couldn’t help but feel she was lacking in some confidence with the execution, or maybe I’ve become too use to Kristin’s assist which are actually like mini-deep-tissue massages. Zoe did provide however, some eucalyptus based massaging lotion — and my muscles just about sang for joy at first touch.
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I have subconsciously been avoiding the Shala even though no one has anything but good things to say about it. Everyone from yelpers to some of my most personally influential yoga teachers, like Mia Baer. But I shied away from it after hearing some classes were “ashtanga inspired”, and seeing the various ashtanga offerings they had on their site.  I have to be in a specific mood to do ashtanga. The bindings, and the increasing difficulty of the sequence often becomes an exercise in frustration for me. I have to mentally prepare to be disappointed in my practice. But at last, I couldn’t resist — I convinced my friend Yadana to try out the studio, and somehow in the mix of it we both signed up for the unlimited monthly plan (for first time students), a Manhattan rock-bottom price of $100.

So far their classes have been remarkably good. The teachers take special care to guide us through proper alignment, and build heat by (often) having us hold poses for 5 breaths or more. This was a welcomed change for me, having just come from Laughing Lotus where the sequences are inventive, but often held for a brief half second. I whole heartedly appreciated the slower flow and hearing my breath instead of music. And they do good physical assists, a rarity now in many yoga classes, but such a powerful learning experience. Truthfully no matter how well a teacher describes a pose, the connection you make during physical assists is unparalleled. Shala teachers also seem to have a higher level of experience, so far each one has spotted a mis-alignment in my practice that has helped get past the stagnation that’s been weighing me.
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Hidden away on the second floor of the ever bustling 14th street is a simple studio that goes by, Yoga Yoga NYC . I discovered it using my New York Yoga Pass Book. I noticed they offered a good number of classes in Ashtanga , an invigorating practice that I wanted to experience more thoroughly. Unlike any other studio I’ve visited, there was no posting on the entrance indicating their branding, and the door was so nondescript I mistook it for a storage room, and continued up the stairs. I probably would’ve continued walking up to the roof, if I hadn’t heard someone open the door, seemingly “looking” for someone. My spidey senses figured it was me.

The layout couldn’t be more basic, a single roomed loft, with partitions for changing rooms. I was thrilled to notice there wasn’t a computer (running Om software) in the make shift reception area, and the woman behind the desk had a genuine smile. I even liked the hand written attendance sheets, and the organic mess of post-it notes. It was personal.

I was nervous about the class. My Ashtanga practice was spotty at best, and Ashtanga classes tend to be fast paced, and sweaty. My first class crushed my ego, which could be why I’ve been shy about repeat visits. But I had nothing to worry about, the intimate setting imparted a kindness, and a no-judgments environment. The instructor was clear, in both her direction and her adjustments. She also customized her modifications specifically for my needs. Making difficult poses seem more approachable.

In this lost city, it’s refreshing to see a yoga studio that doesn’t seem like a business, even if said business is wellness and care. It’s inspiring to see sky when you do your sun salutations. It’s nice to actually write your name, rather than spell it out for their database entry. It’s nice to see literature offered rather than sold. It’s a heart-full experience to tell people your name, and believe they’ll remember it. And they did.