Not exactly yoga...but sorta...

So, the heat is on in New York City! We are in the middle of a massive heatwave and I am finding all kinds of ways to beat the heat as we roll through the weekend...part of staying cool for me, is to dress the part~ choosing light fabrics, breezy dresses and then thinking cool thoughts!

It's not exactly yoga, but I am loving the new line of clothing from designer Rogan Gregory at Target.com. Check out his easy wrap dresses, animal-inspired t-shirts, and vibrant tanks to stay COOL! Rogan® for Target® Burnout Racerback Tank - Yellow Brick Road.

Best of all, Rogan is committed to using 100% certified organic cotton, so it's VERY yoga to buy clothing that is fashionable, affordable, and environmentally-sensitive!
Happy shopping...
yogatru

Yoga in Midtown...

So I decided to try some yoga in the bustling, busy middle of midtown NYC at a center called Levitate Yoga. It's in a large industrial building right next to the fire station on the third floor. The space is nice, but the rooms are quite small and the floor is not my favorite. It's made of extremely HARD marble (jumping to a forward bend from downward dog's a bummer) but the decor is lovely and clean. The owner is beautifully warm and cheerful, and I really just wanted to take yoga to hang out with her.

Unfortunately, she did not teach. The teacher of my class began by hauling out a full skeleton of a human to display certain anatomy points she wanted to cover, but I felt a little jolted with no introduction, no opening chant of OM, no 'let's get started' folks. She dove right in with extensive shoulder and collar bone anatomy, which was informative but a little dull. I tried to stay focused, breathing into the space between the bones, but I was itching to move, get up, DO SOMETHING!

We finally got going but the poses were quite basic and slow. Don't get me wrong, I love slow and focused and some of the cat-cow stretches were lovely in slo-mo but I was hoping to generate heat and movement at some point. We hit the usual standing warrior poses, honed in on shoulder girdle action, and realigned, readjusted, and reconfigured our collar bones throughout the whole thing.

My least favorite part was doing partner handstands against the wall, since the levels were SO varied. There were beginners who had never attempted a handstand and advanced yogis who were not challenged, so it got a little unfocused at this point. The teacher ended the class with a relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable sivasana (lying down and doing nothing). It was the best part of the class, hands down.

Overall, I give this class a rating of 5 because while I thought the teacher was incredibly knowledgeable about anatomy and alignment, I missed the flow of a thorough vinyasa practice. I would say that this class is a beginner-moderate level and would be a great introduction if you are just starting out.

Namaste,
yogatru

May 19th

So I cheated. I went back to the same yoga center instead of checking out a new one! The good news for you, yearning yogis is that that means the Jivamukti Yoga School continues to churn out satisfying and reliable yoga that you will thoroughly enjoy.
Some may not dig the chanting, the gurus on the wall, or the heavy incense wafting through the rooms, but you will get your yoga on, and the yoga does not disappoint.

I give this latest class a rating of: 9 (1-10). It is the 12pm class taught by a sweet lady named Monica. She is gentle and kind but will definitely put you through the paces of an intense vinyasa sequence and oh....you'll sweat your butt off. The only bummer is that the music was a little sad and low in volume, when I know that musical offerings can add so much energy and atmosphere-heck, it can make or break your headstand!
Overall, this yoga class was rockin', just like my hamstrings will be tomorrow and I highly recommend it to the experienced yoga practitioner, especially since I keep coming back for more!
Namaste,yogatru~
Jivamukti Yoga School
jivamuktiyoga.com 841 Broadway 2nd Floor
NY, NY 10003
212-353-0214

May 7th, 2008

I make my heart an altar

~Swami Rama



Jivamukti Yoga School continues to be one of the top yoga centers in New York City. The plethora of vinyasa classes that they offer are thorough, well taught, and full of devotion. The founders, Sharron Gannon and David Life have also helped form a new website called:
animalmukti.org

Check it out and keep checking out this blog for new reviews on yoga in the city!
Namaste,
yogatru

MAY 1st 2008

Okay, so I STILL haven't gotten my tired self to a yoga class this week, so I am a bit behind on the whole rating of yoga classes in New York City....but I became a proud aunt for the first time on Tuesday!
I also work full-time on Broadway in a big hit musical, so that keeps me busy....enough reasons for missing yoga??
Even though I have not yet planted myself in a studio this week, I still find time to squeeze in a spoonful every morning. If you need a little yoga but can't get to a whole class, try my recipe:
-wake up in the morning and before your feet hit the floor, think of one thing you are grateful for.
-STRETCH!
-Upon rising, pour yourself a hot cup of breakfast tea and find a comfortable place to sit for a few moments. Close your eyes and focus on the breath. Take ten deep inhales and exhales and don't be discouraged if your mind wanders, just keep returning to the breath.
-STRETCH!
That's it-my morning sliver of yoga to set the intention for the day, and nourish the Spirit within.
Namaste!
Yogatru

The real Self is the inner dweller of the Kingdom of the heart.

~Swami Rama

Okay, so I never got to Levitate Yoga Studio last week because life sped up and things got crazy, but I am planning to go this Wednesday and report back the pros and cons.

I hope Earth Day was a day for celebrating and remembering to care for our planet-one of the easiest things to do is to switch to non-toxic household cleaners. They are some great ones on the market now and even in your friendly Food Emporium or Duane Reade throughout town!

I love Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, and Method; they all smell great, clean up good, and do not harm you or Mother Earth!
Here's to saving the world, one step at a time!

Checking out the yoga studio, Levitate in Midtown tomorrow for a mid-level vinyasa class!
Namaste,
Yogatru