complete Yoga around the City tour '06

Considering it’s 2008, the ‘06 tour is a bit old!

i started this goal, i made a list of 6 yoga studios that i wanted to check out for my “tour”. Thus far i’ve managed to make it to two. Four more to go…time to schedule them into my planner and start exploring!

I realized on this last day of 2006 as I was going through my goals that I have made a bit of a dent in this Yoga around the city tour goal—I discovered this lovely gentle hatha class at my gym Wed. nights and it has become a regular thing for me for over a month now.

And, come to think of it—I also tried the Thurs night Kundalini class at my gym, but it turned out that there was a sub and she didn’t know Kundalini so it ended up being another hatha class. I also tried a yoga studio in my neighborhood that was offering a free class to new students. Free classes are the best! So, yay for me!

I have been apartment-sitting for my friend in Long Island City this week and since AliceY’s yoga studio is nearby, it was the perfect opportunity to check out her anusara class. I’ve been hearing a lot about this kind of yoga lately so I was anxious to give it a shot.

The Yoga Room in LIC is their “satellite” studio, so it’s small, but cozy. It has a nice neighborhoody kind of feel to it so you don’t feel overwhelmed and everyone seems to know each other and can appreciate each other’s progress. The teacher began the class with a quote about things that “bind” you and we proceeded to work on binding poses throughout the class. The teacher was very attentive—she said my name many times in class, which, at first, made me feel like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. But by the end, I absolutely appreciated the attention and was extremely grateful for it.

The class was physically demanding, but I was excited that I stepped up to the challenge. I did an L-shaped handstand for the first time—I honestly didn’t think I would be able to do it (I do Kundalini yoga and we don’t venture into handstands…), but I did and it felt like a great accomplishment.

At the end of class the teacher focused on the concept of things that bind—being able to linger and work with the parts of life that constrict you rather than fighting against them will open you up to new possibilities and a fresh perspective.

I left the class feeling very light in my upper back, chest, heart center. I felt stretched and open. I think that this would be a nice complement to my Kundalini practice.

Thanks to AliceY for joining me!

This is unheard of for me lately. However, I did both classes at my comfy, tried and true studio, so it wasn’t really part of my “around the city” tour.

I took with a new teacher on Tuesday and it was amazing. Much more focused on breath work and meditation with a little bit of physical. I think we began class with what felt like a 30-minute breath meditation. I loved the teacher, and now found out that she is traveling for the month of June. So, I’ll just have to wait for July.

Last night I went to class with ChorusGirl. I ended up seeing a few of my friends from my teacher training class, too, which was really great.

I am hoping next week to try a new studio.

My list of yoga studios I plan to explore:

• Laughing Lotus
• Prana Mandir
• Alice Y’s LIC yoga studio
• Iyengar Yoga Institute of NYC
• Universal Force Yoga
• Yoga People (in my ‘hood)