NYC Fitness & Yoga Pass Book Adventures

Exhale Spa Midtown

2005-11-30T23:53:00.000-06:00

This is the one on Central Park South. I went alone, all the way to midtown. Didn't want to go to the other one on the upper east side, not after last time (remember - corefusion??)

Anyways, this place is really spa-like, feels soo expensive. maybe too expensive for my humble tastes. One big highlight, as I was walking into the class, I saw walking out Rodney Yee. He must have just taught the class on backbends right before my class. THAT SUX!!! I would've loved to take his class.

yoga level 2 class. The teacher Eden looked familiar...and I couldn't place it for awhile. Then I figured out that I took her class once before at Laughing Lotus. She's pretty great, the vinyasa flow, deep stretching and moves that I've never done. She finds moves to help you explore your body.

The studio is very pretty, but I just wouldn't hike up here unless I was rich, or my yoga coupon was expiring...

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center

2005-11-30T23:43:00.000-06:00

This place leans more towards the vibe of Integral Yoga Center. It feels very NOT-egoish. The guy who greets you behind the desk looks like a buddhist in robes. In the back you can see and smell some yummy food being cooked. I didn't figure out whether or not the food came with the class...I was by myself, and didn't have the courage to ask.

So you walk up to the yoga studio which has mats all set up. I think the people who go here go regularly, I was the only newbie. The class starts with dead mans pose. weird but relaxing. Then a long series of breathing exercises. Then, the vinyasa moves. then dead man pose. the point I guess, is to move and then relax. Then right into head stand, no wall. Some other moves, I don't remember...

I liked this place, but you kinda feel like it's a real community of yoga buddhist people, who go on yoga retreats together and stuff. I'd definitely go again, but I don't think I'd pay for the class...unless the food came with.

Kula Yoga

2005-11-03T14:46:00.000-06:00

This place is in Tribeca, kinda close to my studio. I took the 8:15 Open class. This place was nice, not in the fancy, beautiful studio kind of way, it just felt down to earth, and nice. There were alot of first timers in my class, and half were guys. That was kinda cool. really not about the ego here. It was a bit crunchy granola, but it didn't have the attitude that Laughing Lotus has.

We started off doing some weird foot stretches, and then went into the vinyasa poses...and at a nice pace...not too fast, not too slow. We did some poses that I had never done before.

I would definitely go back here. It's really small, just one studio, but who needs big? right?

Sal Anthony's Movement Salon

2005-10-25T17:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.movementsalon.com/

Kyung and I went to the studio on 3rd Ave @ 17 St and took the Sunday 4pm intermediate class. The poses were challenging and I worked up a sweat. I was so happy to see that when the room got hot, the instructor turned on the a/c. Lori, I know, you'll love that. My fav new pose that we learned in class is the "rock star" where you kick off your leg and arm from downward dog. Kyung, like a true rock star, dived into the pose nicely. I, on the otherhand, could not, due to abdominal pains from backstroke swimming. Even though my abs killed, the class was a great experience.

Yoga In Tribeca

2005-09-19T22:26:00.000-05:00

Chona and I went to this one.

I arrived first for the 6:30 basics 1/2 class. I walked into the studio which was the teacher's home...loft. It was really weird to walk into a stranger's home, for free. I was really dehydrated so I drank some of my water, and the teacher quickly told me that I really shouldn't drink anything before taking yoga. weird. Chona finally arrived 2nd, out of 5 people. The room was quite nice, hardwood floors, the walls were decorated with nice indian paintings. and candles and incense.
but the teacher, who was maybe in her late 40s, did not seem too friendly. We started the class with stretches, not the normal ones we are used to...it was more like a mix of highschool gym stretches mixed with yoga.
If we weren't doing something correctly, the teacher would impatiently (or maybe that's just the way she talked) repeat over and over and over the same words til we got it right. It made me nervous.
Finally we did some yoga moves that I am used to. Built up alittle sweat...it was okay.
She took my yoga pass, even though I still had one visit left. But I don't think I'll be coming back to this place.

Integral Yoga Institute

2005-09-16T21:27:00.000-05:00

We ventured out to Integral again. It was Keren and me in the Level 2/3, Karen in the 1/2? and Lori in the Prenatal Yoga. Let's hope she blogs this one...her story is much more interesting..hint hint...

So I think Hatha, even the high levels are pretty slow and easy going. Hatha's more of a breathing, centering, and meditation yoga, and not the exercise that vinyasa is. But once in awhile i do like doing the gentle slow hatha.

Be Yoga

2005-08-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

I went to the yoga 1/2 class at the 5th ave & 19th street studio. The teacher Marco was really cool. The class was an interesting mix of yoga, in a good way. The idea was to get deeply into the poses, and really make all the correct adjustments to get the body, muscles and alignment perfect. I liked this class, though the studio was REALLY hot...beware hot room haters...for those who like hot rooms...this may be for you. The push wasn't to get into really challenging poses, but to push yourself to really understand the poses you were in.

Eastern Athletic Club

2005-08-16T15:18:00.000-05:00

This place is right next to the Knitting Factory on Leonard St. It is a REALLY nice gym. Sorry, no pool, but yes to steam room and sauna...very yes!

3 floors of great machines.
Too bad we only have 2 trips to this place...

Carnegie Park Swim & Health Club

2005-05-30T00:10:00.000-05:00

Attendees: Kyung & Lori

Carnegie Park Swim & Health Club has a small pool that overlooks a patio full of comfortable lounge chairs for sunbathers. It was here that Kyung and I swam, ate freshly baked corn muffins (thank you David), steamed and sunbathed. Kyung and I just chilled out today, moving slowly from one activity to the next with an unmistakable, lazy saunter. Damn, we're good at this; we're almost professionals. The patio overlooks a private sculpture garden and is fairly quiet. It was great to share the day with Kyung before she heads out to Korea. We even discussed doing it again tomorrow; it was that good.

Lauging Lotus Yoga

2005-05-26T19:57:00.000-05:00

Laughing Lotus Happy Hour with Betsy

Attendees: Karen

I had some apprehension about returning to Laughing Lotus after last Friday's yoga debacle. However, I paid for two classes, so I had to use or lose my money's worth. So, I went back for the one-hour long session at 5:30 pm that Laughing Lotus (hereafter LL) likes to call, "Happy Hour." And overall...it was.

The class is Open, which also had me scared. I was very concerned I wouldn't be able to do it, or do it well. Thankfully, my fears were mostly unfounded. I decided I would work very hard to take care of my knees, and if I needed to stop, I would do so. For the most part, I had no problems. It really helps to have taken beginner yoga classes before--she had us move thru down dog, plank, cobra, warrior I, II, III and triangle poses briskly. The pace wasn't rushed, but I would have been at a loss had I not known what those poses were. I was pouring sweat by the end.

I've only been to LL twice, but I really feel that they're very pretentious about their yoga-ing (do I really need to spend $65 on the embroidered yoga pants they sell?), and I'm not keen on the pastel wall colors. And, if I may consider two a quorum, the instructors seem very into impressing people with advanced pretzel poses.

The instructor tried very hard to encourage us with idiomatic encomiums and little nuggets of "truth." Over-talking seems to be a trend at LL. They tell us to meditate, and then break the silence proclaming that we're finding our inner truth. The fascination for me is that these instructors genuinely seem to believe that they're somehow spiritually teaching us. But, trite exposition doesn't lead to enlightenment. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, experience is the great teacher. If they can be remembered, perhaps those instructors' words will gain relevance in retrospect when grounded in our life events, but superficially referring to one's inner truth does little to explain what that truth is or how to find it. Quotations from various worldly texts are charming, but real-life context is necessary if these instructors seek to truly teach.

Oh, at the end during corpse pose, the instructor unexpectedly removed my glasses, placed an eye pillow over my face and massaged my sweaty head. I was skeeved out--I don't want some eye infection from those used pillows. And did she massage other people's scalps, too??? Am I carrying their sweat?? Ewww! (Ok, so maybe I'm a hypochondriac, but I still worry I'm going to get some fungus from the yoga mats.) On one hand, the touching is the most human part of the class for me. On the other, my germophobia gets in the way.

Anyway, this class was good, but so far my favorite instructor is still Kelly at Bodhisattva Yoga one block from my apartment. She's humble, she encourages us, she makes us better. I wonder if it will always be true for me that there's no place like home.

East Yoga

2005-05-24T21:39:00.000-05:00

I had a very different experience than Lori's at this East Yoga place. I took a Vinyasa restorative 8:30pm class. It was nice and peaceful, I had a good teacher who didn't multi-task, except for when we were in dead man's pose, she was lighting incense and candles and putting them all around the room that was dimly lit. I heard no traffic outside, and I was all the by the door. No phones, no one on the computer. Maybe the later class is the way to go for this place.

Battery Park City Swim & Fitness

2005-05-22T09:15:00.000-05:00

I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon than to spend it with Lori & Kyung at the Battery Park City Swim & Fitness Club. The best part about this place is that we are always virtually the only ones there. We rule this place! No worries about anyone seeing my cellulite or potbelly, my unshaven legs and armpits, or wearing my stretched out, faded, see-through speedo bathing suit I have owned since 1995.

Each of us had our own swim lane, we each claimed our own space in the jacuzzi, sprayed tea-tree oil in the steam room without anyone else complaining, we laughed loud, danced on top of the benches in the locker room and sang in the shower.

The walk from the subway is a bit of a hike but it was such a nice day that we decided to grab brunch in Tribeca, check out the neighborhood where Kyung will move her studio, walk through the west village, checked out a street fair, drank iced coffee and headed homeward towards alphabet city before the thunder storm.

Lauging Lotus Yoga

2005-05-21T22:46:00.000-05:00

I Am Become Yoga, Destroyer of Knees

Attendees: Chona, Hannah, Kyung and Karen

I've heard such good things about midnight yoga that I decided to attend despite my cramps from hell. (I sort of relished the thought of a) having exercise ease my cramps and b) sticking it to the yogi Man who proclaimed that menstruating women should take it easy. F*ck that sh!t.) Thanks to my arrogance, what I discovered was a world of yoga so bruising that both my knees are covered with purple patches. A day later, I was also wondering why my large toe still hurt so much. When I took off my sock before bed, I noticed a deep bruise on the side of my left foot, not far from the place where I know my titanium screws are deeply embedded from foot surgery. I really hope I didn't do any serious damage.

So, what caused all this? Why, thank you for asking. It was caused by the latest rage in stretching: Manic Yoga. I have no idea if there is such an official appellation, but that's what I'm calling this drill sergeant and her class. She barked at us, leading us through a bunch of asanas and then had us repeat them faster and faster. Down dog! Plank! Cobra! Warrior! Rinse! Repeat! I was jumping up and slamming to the floor as I attempted to keep up.

Things were going so quickly that I'm quite sure I wasn't doing poses correctly. After an hour-and-a-half of this mania, I pretty much gave up and sat out the rest of the class. Two hours is far too long for me to be doing yoga at this point in my practice (I lose interest). Compound that with drubbing my knees into oblivion, and I had to stop. My lack of movement quickly brought me to our instructor's attention. I showed her the rapidly changing color of my beloved hinge joints, and she patted my back, saying, "Poor baby!"

I just wanted to leave, but I didn't want to abandon my friends. So, I stuck it out, hoping for some tea afterwards and the chance to bitch about how my knees would be ruined for my beach vacation in L.A. in two weeks.Nothing is as hot as a bikini with bruises.

But that's not all! I had a few other issues. The class was packed--we were all sandwiched too close togther and I nearly had my head swiped off by the overzealous woman to my right. I much prefer a small class size (under 10 people). Also, the instructor attmped to tell us what God is (the answer: the breath within the breath). I think I get it on a metaphorical level, but this really isn't useful information. Also, I'm not a huge fan of instructors trying to teach me new philosophies. I'm in this yoga game to become more flexible and help my back, shoulders and hamstrings. I'm not fond of chanting words for which I don't know the meaning. But, I know this is my own issue--I'm sure there are plenty of others who enjoy the exhortations of a well-intentioned American yogis.

As for musical accompanyment, the drummer was good, I suppose, except that I forgot he was there most of the time.

(gads, I'm really such a b!tch in this post! yikes!)

There was one upside--at the very end as we all laid in corpse pose, the instructor unexpectedly approached each one of us and gently but firmly massaged our feet. It was delicious--her strong hands! All I could think of was, "more massage, please!" and then, "Hmm...even though I hated her class, with hands like that, I'll bet this woman would be killer in bed." That's how I'm going to choose to remember her.

I'll admit that I was having hormonally-induced crabbiness before arriving, but I left feeling more stressed than when I came. This was a total yoga failure for me. Yet again, I've learned the lesson that Open yoga sessions are not for me--I'm looking for gentle stretching, not aggressive meat pounding. My knees are still burning.

Levitate Yoga

2005-05-19T12:45:00.000-05:00

This is a midtown (around Times Square) yoga center, which has beautiful wood floors, and nice lighting. I came early and apparently got the best seat in the house...not in the direct heat of the sun...which Lori got stuck with. It was a Vinyasa Yoga studio. The flow of the teacher wasn't great, but she DID break down some complicated poses that I have NEVER been able to do, and actually was able to get into with her guidance YEAH! So I liked the class.

But I look over at Lori...Do you know the face that Lori makes when she's just kinda frozen and wants to get the hell out of the situation she is in? Well that was her face, just wanting to get out because the room is very warm from the sun, and there is no shades for the windows, it's too loud outside to keep the windows open, and no fan. She ended up leaving the class early, she looks over at me, and makes this gesture like, "this is crazy hot, I got to get the hell out of here".

I however was focused and managed to learn some new things.

Integral Yoga Institute

2005-05-10T23:04:00.000-05:00

Integral Yoga Institute

Attendees: Kyung, Karen and Lori

The Integral Yoga Institute offers so many classes. I think it has two floors with about 5 different studios on each floor. It's a very non-competitive environment with real people. It's kind of like the YMCA of yoga studios. I think that's why I liked it. There were just as many men as women, which is rare. Age also varied. I find that a typical student of yoga in NYC is a white, attractive, thin female. Here, they came in all shapes and sizes. Go diversity! Now, please note that Hannah wasn't too crazy about her senior citizen class at this place. So, if you can't handle different kinds of people, maybe this place is not for you. ;)

Hatha Level 1 Class: The teacher was down to earth and didn't make me feel like I was supposed to do anything but follow my instincts to breathe, relax and stretch. The class was centered around respecting the limitations of one's body. In general, I feel like most yoga classes are long sessions of imitation where students passively do what the teacher is doing. Here, the teacher acted more as a guide than an enforcer. Okay, so enforcer maybe a little too strong, but you know what I mean. Anyway, this class was awesome!

Laughing Lotus

2005-05-10T00:26:00.000-05:00

Chona and I went to the Friday Midnight yoga at Laughing Lotus Yoga. We come into the room which is lined with candles...the room is dimly lit, and the musicians are setting up to perform while we do our yoga. The class starts, and the instructor talks alittle about how awesome the band is, and had discovered them at a gig at Joe's Pub. The singer has an amazing voice.

So the Vinyasa starts. I know I'm in a class with advanced people, and I'm the least advanced. Oh, and there was a photographer there most of time taking photographs of the session. (This was strange, and alittle annoying...but had to focus.) It was a great flow, but hard to keep up with the advance people. I was sweating, it was very challenging but in a good way.

After 2 hours, we had some free chai tea which was delicious! I went and bought a box of the same tea the next day. Oh this yoga class was wonderful!!!!!

Gesundheit Center

2005-05-09T20:36:00.000-05:00

Gesundheit Center

Shake It, Part II
Attendees: Chona, Kyung, Lori and Scoop/Schoop?

This class was a repeat. Same instructor, same loud music, same beginner embarrassment. But my sweet, sweet samba... I'm not giving up on you just yet. Samba, baby, we're meant to be.

Yoga Shunya

2005-05-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

Yoga Shunya

Ahhh, good ol' JC. Nothing's better than being in Jersey City, except yoga in JC with my fellow Jerseyans, aka Debbie and Joan. From the outside, you would never know that there's a yoga studio on the block. The only way to access the studio is to stand in front of a wine bar, wait for someone to unlock the door, walk through the wine bar, and trek up the "still in construction" stairs. Next to a small front room where everyone takes off their shoes is a "closet" where you sign in, find your card in the filing box, and check off that you're taking a class. There's an aura of good faith, as a bag of money lies on the table and people pitch in to help fill out forms and collect money.

With the usual Ohm chants came some off-key vociferousness from a man next to Joan. Sitting behind Deb, I was in full view of her reaction to his unusual sounds. I had a hard time keeping it together while watching Deb put her head in her hands and laugh underneath her breath. As my body convulsed from laughter, Joan poked me in my arm to further denounce my immaturity.

The instructor was one of the best I had experienced, giving full detailed instructions on each pose. "Hold your backs long, shoulders back, eyes forward, keep your toes active, and line up your shins with the thighs." Raising my hand when the instructor asked who's a beginner or new to the studio was the best initiative I've taken in years. He corrected my poses, helped with harder ones, and provided lots of encouragement. I really loved the attention and plan to declare that I'm a beginner to all yoga instructors in the future. Got a problem with that?

Kundalini Yoga Park Slope

2005-05-03T23:28:00.000-05:00

My crunch factor must be past the charts because I actually traveled by my lonesome from Manhattan to Brooklyn, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, dressed in my white garb and head scarf - to attend Kundalini yoga class in Park Slope.

Kundalini Yoga Park Slope is a special studio as it is located in a beautiful brownstone down the street from Prospect Park. Our instructor, Siri Sevek, guided us through various breathing exercises, chants, and meditations as we faced the bay windows that overlooked the quiet tree-lined block. It was a small, intimate class filled with warmth, peace and love.

Leaving the class, I realized what a great choice I had made to end my weekend on such a positive note. On my way to the train, I took a stroll through the park to further deepen my experience. To appreciate nature, the finest but simple things in life that cannot always be found in Manhattan.

Integral Yoga Institute

2005-04-30T14:30:00.000-05:00

Integral Yoga

Venturing out alone, I joined the gentle hatha class expecting a restorative yoga experience. The instructor, nurturing like a sweet grandma, geared the class to students’ needs. Since there were only 3 other women in the class besides me, 2 of them were beginners, and all 3 were over 50, I knew that this class wasn’t right for me. In a span of 90 minutes, we did 6 poses and a lot of, what I felt was dawdling around. Half way through the class, the instructor told us to get into cobra. I eagerly went into full cobra mode as the teacher slowly gave out the instructions. She looked at me and said, “No, just keep your head 2 inches from the ground. You don’t want to strain the neck.” The class should be called “gentle senior hatha.”

Integral Yoga Institute is exactly that - an institution including an enormous 2-floor studio with 6 rooms, bookstore, health food store, and a vitamin shop across the street. What's next?... a college for enlightenment and yogi philosophy? Franchising yoga is an oxymoron and should be prevented as much as possible.

East Yoga

2005-04-20T23:08:00.000-05:00

East Yoga

East Yoga is located on the ground floor in the East Village so foot and car traffic can be heard from within the studio. The studio is small. There is no changing area, just a small bathroom in the back. Um, the toilet was broken for the 1st part of the class so the teacher recommended us not to drink too much water. The office is part of the same room of the yoga studio; so when someone is typing and on the computer, you hear it during class. In general, the studio was cramped and not very comfortable.

I took a general yoga class that was open to all levels. Frankly, the teacher was not great. She multitasked the whole time. If the phone rang, she actually picked it up and talked to someone while she called out poses to the class. When we were in a long pose, she left the room to fix the toilet. She often forgot what we were doing or what steps we needed to take to get into the next pose. All around, the place and instructor was not for me.

Bodhisattva Yoga

2005-04-19T16:24:00.000-05:00

URL: Bodhisattva Yoga
Location: Park Slope

Hello Ladies and Ladies,
This marks my foray into your blissful world of Yoga. I went for my very first classes this past week--I tried out four classes and three different instructors, one of whom is a keeper. If you live in Park Slope and are a beginner, Saturday afternoon yoga from 12-1:30 with Kelly is for you! The other two instructors can go straight to hell.

Namaste.

In case my mother or those instructors ever read this, I feel obligated to say that I don't mean to malign. I'm merely using the instructors to juxtapose harsh urban sensibility with the peacefullness of yoga. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I had much bliss with either of them, tho. Thankfully, my first class was with Kelly--it was all about flow and relaxation, and it was challenging, but I didn't die. We'll cover more about her later so I can end on a happy note. In the meantime, let's go over Breakfast and Basics/Open.

Breakfast Yoga
Yoga for breakfast + no actual food = I'm screwed

My second attempt at Bodhisattva Yoga was an "Open" session at 7 am. I had no idea what "Open" meant. As it turns out, it means you can come as a beginner, but you're going to severely regret it because they'll move through poses so quickly you'll be lost. Also, as one with low blood sugar, I should never have attempted exercising without at least eating a banana first. I nearly passed out by the end of the hour session.

And, I was a little annoyed by the instructor, who kept saying things like, "Don't be frustrated, Karen" and "Everyone do this , Karen--hold that pose and catch up later." It's so great being called out when you suck. I was also annoyed by how he would demonstrate a pose, and then make some motion indicating that we could come out of the pose as we liked saying, "Yogi's choice." Hmm. thanks for giving me a choice when the choice is TOTALLY inconsequential!! The pose is what counts, not so much what comes after when it's just getting up off the floor. If that's all yogi's choice turns out to be, I'm not so interested.

Basics/Open Thurs. Night
Headstands, Fear and Empathy

So, I tried a third instructor. Hmm. I wasn't thrilled. But then again, I did start out the class in a very bad mental space--I knew that I was going to break up with someone afterwards. I went because I was hoping it would calm me down beforehand, but no such luck. First off, the instructor had an overly loud voice considering the space and the fact that there were only six of us in the class. Secondly, she put on music at one point that had a rock beat--NOT relaxing! Thirdly, she wanted us to practice L-shaped headstands, and I instantly knew I didn't want to do it. I told her so, rather more vehemently than I intended. She tried to spot me; I skidded down the wall. I was a disaster. The woman next to me said, "Oh, you just need to build up your confidence." THANKS, lady!!!

I wanted to cry--cry about the breakup, and cry about my fear of headstands. Actually, my fear of doing the headstand gave me a moment of clarity about the breakup--I realized that the person I had been with was someone who was stuck in the same mode of fear I had just been in, except that she feared relationships and I feared breaking my neck. I felt myself empathizing with her at the same time knowing that the end of our relationship was necessary. Going to the class oddly ended up helping me in some strange way to communicate better with her, even as we parted. As with yoga, so with life. Hmm. Still, heck if I'm going back to this class!

Basics/Open Saturday
Goga for Yoga!

This class is great. Importantly, I'm not the least flexible person there, although it's close. I know we're all supposed to be on our own journeys and whatnot, but I sure feel better knowing I'm not alone in my lack of skill. (OK, OK...I realize this is something I need to get over.) Plus, it's a nice small group of cute girls. Works for me! And, as I mentioned earlier, the instructor, Kelly, is great. She has a nice voice, is calm and soothing, reminds us to put our difficult times behind us, and tells us to honor ourselves just for practicing. This is EXACTLY what I was hoping for in a yoga class! Perhaps Nirvana will someday be mine...and hopefully yours.

I can't wait for further adventures, next time with you gals. And now with sincerity:

Namaste!

Monterey Sports Club

2005-04-10T18:48:00.000-05:00

The Agenda: Rock climbing
The Culprits: Kyung, Chona (slightly hung-over) and Lori

It's been awhile since last year's visit to the Monterey Sports Club. Last year, Kyung brought her rock climbing gear and taught Chona and me how to climb the tread wall. Well, it's been a year. Had I improved?

The answer to that is no. I had somehow lost some of my first-time agility. My legs were quite shaky and my footing lacked confidence. What was a girl to do? I blamed it on my big sneakers. I found myself jumping off the wall and climbing back on. What's that about? If I was really high on a mountain, I don't think I'd have that luxury. But hey, while I'm on a fake mountain, I might as well take advantage of it.

Kyung was supportive the whole time. She takes on a very maternal role when we climb. She says things like, "If you need to rest, straighten out your arms." "Great foot work!" "Good reach!" "Keep going, you can do it!" She's a big cutie.

After three climbs, our arms were officially on fire. Good times.

Himilayan Institute

2005-04-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

I know I am the oldest gal of the Fitness/ Yoga Passbook bunch but I was not prepared to be taking a yoga class for seniors at The Himilayan Institute. The class was actually called Yoga 1 which is not a basic yoga so students should have some sort of Hatha experience. Our teacher Giancarlo was a very nice person but he seemed to be a fairly new teacher, really wet behind the ears.

Well, I think Giancarlo & I were the youngest ones in that room and since the majority rules...the postures were basically modified for senior citizens or people who cannot touch their toes. There was a lot of rest time in between postures and I felt like we were in Sivasana (dead body pose) more than we were flowing into any other poses. This allowed my thoughts to wander, my body to relax, and my mind to become numb.

More power to the seniors for doing yoga but all I wanted to do during the class was curl up into a ball on the floor and take a nap. We finished class in time for everyone to take advantage of early bird dinner specials offered at University diner (Not making this up! I overheard a couple of the ladies heading there after class).

Spa 88

2005-03-20T21:58:00.000-06:00

Spa 88

From the beginning (which was from last year’s Fitness Passbook), Kyung loved this place. I, on the other hand, warmed up to the idea of taking this place seriously only until recent. It’s a labyrinth of rooms on two floors with 2 saunas, a steam room, a cold plunge pool, a regular pool and a Jacuzzi. The staff and clientele primarily speak Russian here.

Some quick observations:

People love to gnaw on dried fish.
A lot of big-bellied, hairy men wear bikinis.
It’s common to whack each other with branches in the sauna room. If you don’t have someone to do it, you can easily hire someone.
If you want to meet some young Russian men, come on a Friday or Saturday night and slip into the Jacuzzi. They will come. Don’t be alarmed if the Russian men think that the Philippines are located somewhere in the Caribbean.

I thought I’d do some research about this strange place and all I found was that Spa 88 is top optional. Apparently, people don’t know about the bottom optional days, as I walked by some man washing his penis in the public shower area today.

There’s something overtly sexual about this place. Does anybody else tap into this or am I just crazy? I remember I was greeted by the front desk girl who wore a see-through top to show off her pierced nipples. Every old man hit on her before they headed downstairs. I’ve personally experienced the intense Russian eyes in the hot tub and the cold plunge pool admirers. The environment is highly sexually charged until everyone steams and sweats everything out of them. Only when everyone becomes super lazy and naps everywhere does it seem like a legitimate bathhouse again. But what can I really say; I don't know what really goes on in bathhouses. They've always been a mystery to me.

Chelsea Bikram Yoga

2005-03-15T03:08:00.000-06:00

All of us know that Bikram yoga is too hot and too intense for most of us (except shonnita). I went to my 2nd class of Bikram yoga. The first one was last year with Lori, and we vowed never to go back again. Of course, a year later, with all my new yoga experiences, I thought it couldn't be as hard, right? wrong. It was just as hot...i mean pools of sweat, but this time i knew that the class was 75 min. So i watched the clock like a hawk.

I remembered many of the poses from last year, and was able to get into most positions without much difficulty. It was just hard to do it in that extreme heat. But the tatooed teacher kept watching me, knowing i was a beginner, and said reassuring things like "you are a natural...you'll be a yogi in no time." I highly doubt that. But, fine, I did feel good that I could get into the poses and hold them with such a steadiness, while even some of the pros were wobbling and falling out of the poses.

Then the teacher instructed us to go into a pose that he called advanced, and if i didn't feel comfortable doing it, i should just watch. I had no problem just watching. But in bikram yoga, we do poses twice. So after the 1st time, the teacher came up to me and said I could surely do this pose. I shrugged my shoulders and said "okay". So he helped me get into this pose, and I was in it...yeah. but how does one get out of this pose??? He left me. I didn't know how to get my body out of this position, so i winged it. bad move. I somehow twisted my shoulder in a weird way, and my shoulder muscle locked up with an intense pain. wow, that hurt.

From then on, i was hurting and had alot of difficulty doing anything else. I was dizzy and seeing stars for the rest of the class.

The next day, my neck and shoulders were completely messed up in pain...I couldn't turn my head at all for a couple of days. This is perhaps because of my 'weak neck', and my inability to use my 'core', but whatever it was, I am not doing it again.

To shonnita's credit however, I do see how if you somehow gain focus in that extreme, intense condition, it could be great. You really have to go very deep inside yourself to overcome the conditions, and it takes a very strong focus and will...and if you can go there, you would definitely be floating in a zen place.

1st Quarter Fitness Results

2005-03-13T22:09:00.000-06:00

Finally, the results are in. Please advise if crunchiness and enlightenment occured and was not accounted for in the 1st Quarter Fitness Results.

Well, I wanted to share the data that was used for the bar chart for the 1st Fitness Quarter of fiscal year 2005. All data was derived from blog posts:

Chona
Purchased a white wardrobe and headscarf. (Gain 3 Crunchy Points)
Used the words "jealous hags" and "touches my ass" to describe her yoga experiences. (Cost -2 Enlightenment Points)
Has admitted to crying in yoga for years (Gain 2 Enlightenment Points)
Says things like "SAT NAM" and "OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI" (Gain 1 Crunchy Point)
Healed her arthritis through meditation (Gain 3 Enlightenment Points)

Hannah
Goes to the bathroom during meditation. (Cost -1 Enlightenment Points)
Accusing Santa Claus of putting drugs in the tea. (Cost -1 Enlightenment Points)
Forgets to turn off her cell before yoga class. (Cost -1 Enlightenment Points)
Told a stranger to take her Upper East side attitude and shove it. (Cost - 3 Enlightenment Points)
Gave a stranger the bird. (Cost -3 Enlightenment Points)
Released emotions from her hips. (Gain 10 Enlightenment Points)

Kyung
Loves hearing about and bathing in colors. (Gain 1 Enlightenment Point)
Could "leave out the chanting/singing part of this class." (Cost -2 Crunchy Points)
Finds Hannah's fit of rage = "very exciting." (Cost -1 Enlightenment Points)

Lori
Had doubtful thoughts about full moons and Virgo and their place in the spiritual world. (Cost -3 Crunchy Points)
Went to a Kundalini class just to listen to the gong. (Cost -1 Crunchy Points)
Believed in a message of acceptance and love. (Gain 2 Enlightenment Points)
Cracked up during nostril breathing exercises. (Cost - 1 Crunchy Points)

Relax Your Neck 4 2 Wks Center

2005-03-13T11:53:00.000-06:00

Relax your neck 4 2wks center

So, i've been going to the Relax your neck 4 2wks center in the east village, and am sort of bummed about it...
At first I was all about this place, b/c it's just alot of laying around...but after awhile this gets old.

It probably needs a Spa 88 kind of thing.

Greenhouse Holistic

2005-03-08T23:00:00.000-06:00

Greenhouse Holistic

I finally cracked under pressure. Once the instructor asked the class to do nostril exercises (see picture below), I started to uncontrollably burst into fits of laughter. I was truly embarrassing and hope I didn't offend anyone.

Laughing Lotus Yoga

2005-03-06T09:09:00.000-06:00

Who needs to go to a bar to get drunk on a Friday evening when you can trip without drugs in a Midnight yoga class at Laughing Lotus?

My friend Natalie who works with me @ the Bikram yoga LES studio invited me to come with her to this class. I wanted to save my yoga passes to use with my girls so I wound up paying for an unlimited week. Let's just say...money well-spent!

I was told to come early to secure a place as the class gets quite crowded. The studio itself is very nice, quite like a funky pink Buddhist temple. Lights are dimmed, music sets an ambiance and conversations are in hushed tones. We entered the darkened studio and live musicians played along to our poses. Edward, our teacher, conducted such a fluid class I felt as if I had been doing Vinyasa for years! Most of all, the energy and vibe created by the students inspired me to no end. When the class ended I almost cried as 2 hours passed like lightning. I left the class as if I was rolling on ecstacy!

Natalie and I stared at each other wild eyed and raving about the mysteries of life (yeah, I really felt like I was tripping). We clutched to our herbal teas and oreo cookies provided by the studio and stayed chatting with everyone until 1 AM!

This exploration of new yoga and fitness forms has, so far, been a positive & inspiring experience. I am so glad to be going down this path with my friends!!!!!!

Gesundheit Center

2005-03-05T02:01:00.000-06:00

Gesundheit Center

This time the class was Afro-Brazilian Dance at the Gesundheit Center. The usual suspects (Kyung and Hannah) attended this one and Chona was a no show.

First of all, I'd like to make an announcement. My gluteus maximus found a home in the world of Samba! The teacher kept saying things like "Ladies, don't be shy. Own it. Shake it." And frankly, I did. Finally, an exercise that embraces hips, curves and ass. The teacher was so good at breaking the moves down that I'm considering becoming a devout follower. I guess Chona's love for Kundalini Yoga East was like that. She was once on the same path as the rest of us, but she jumped off to assemble her white Kundalini outfit. Is this it? Are we all destined to love different things and go our separate ways? Look at Kyung. After the Aroma Yoga class she's been obsessed with rubbing oils all over herself. Thank God Hannah hasn't shown any signs of deviation from the Fitness Pass mission. One of us has to stay strong and keep the group moving ahead to new experiences.

So, overall I really like the Gesundheit Center. The studio is so quiet and clean and comfortable. I am definitely a really big fan of this place.

Exhale Spa

2005-03-03T17:13:00.000-06:00

Exhale Spa

COREFUSION

Jane Fonda meets bad pilates...
I started off running late for the class, so I took a cab.
Was 10 mins late, missed the arms workout (thank god).

all in all...
$6 cab ride + $135 physical therapy for my neck = never going again.

but i did get to see Hannah in a rage fit after lunch = very exciting

David Barton Gym

2005-03-03T12:25:00.000-06:00

David Barton Gym

What do you call two heterosexual girls in a fantabulous gym?

Jealous hags

What can I say about this facility? We all know that it is absolutely beautiful with state-of-the-art equipment, posh amenities and filled with sweaty & gorgeous hard-bodies.

Keren and I both had stressful work days so we decided to take John's Hot Power Vinyasa class last night. Although I have a yoga background, this class was much different than any other class I have ever attended. The heater was on during the whole class but I barely broke a sweat (Keren was dying but the heater just basically dried out my contacts), we used ropes and blocks during ab exercises (never heard of abs being done in a yoga class), the postures were held for what-felt-like a million years, we barely chanted or meditated in sivasana and the lights were burning bright throughout the 90 minute class (I felt like my brain was burning, hence my inability to relax in sivasana)!

John ( our teacher) resembled Tom Green, which made me smile and break into laughter at times during class. He was also fond of correcting everyone's alighnment and posture although I felt he was paying too much attention to me and calling my name a bit too much. I basically wanted to be incognito and mesh into class but that was definitely not happening. John kept holding my waist and running his fingers up and down my pelvis & hips, he also held my back and constantly pointed to areas on my body where I should feel a stretch or a "sweet" sensation (as he called it). After getting felt up some more, he asked if I had a dance background based on my body structrure. By the end of this class, I kind of felt violated.

Leaving class, I decided that the only way to find true relaxation is to seek comfort in my old faithful friend - the STEAM ROOM. Keren and I high-tailed it butt naked into the steam room, where the lights emanating from the tiles reminded us of the movie 'Aliens.' But the steam that clouded the room made it seem like it was heaven...

Showering is such a luxury here as we are supplied with Bumble & Bumble hair/body products, razors, organic tampons and thick Turkish white towels. The only thing that was missing was herbal tea, fine quality mosquito netting, throw pillows and my Arabian prince!

I have 2 more passes to David Barton gym and I plan to use them wisely. Don't think I will take John's class again, unless of course I haven't gotten lucky in a while and feel the need to get felt up.

MonQi Fitness

2005-03-02T22:20:00.000-06:00

MonQi Fitness

Kickboxing to the 80's and doing it solo. MonQi Fitness gym is right across from Hunter College and has only been open for a few months.

Can I say empty? I attended a kick boxing class with only two other students. Please God, no! I really was anticipating hiding in the back row so I could take breaks here and there. Also, I'm weird in two ways: 1) my body can do very strange interpretations of class exercises and 2) I really can't memorize a lot of little dance moves quickly. Hence, the back row policy.

The other students both spoke Russian so no camaraderie there. I was alone and was gonna kickbox in the front row.

Well, we punched, kicked and squatted... there were jumping jacks and we pretended to punch a punchbag. Then there was an intense ab session where I became the teacher's source of yelling. "COMMON! PUSH YOURSELF!" She had no clue that I only started to do situps in the past few years. I can usually only do at most 4 sets of 10 situps. Now, I know that's sad, but that's me. And now that I'm 30, I can simply say I love myself and that's that. Actually, I used to tell all my gym teachers growing up that I couldn't do situps cause I had cancer when I was younger. "It hurts my stomach," as I pointed to my scar around my waist. Teachers just believed it. That whole situation could probably be fixed if I really focused on my abs once and for all and built them up to become hard rippling muscles. But let's face it. They don't call me Lazy Susan for nothing.

So, class ended in total pain. I think I did 10 sets of 12 situps and my body started to violently shake in the end. She looked at me like I was crazy. I missed my buds in this class. Only people like Kyung truly know why I get the shakes.

So, in general the place was small, clean and empty. The gym was locked up at 8pm so I couldn't check out the bottom floor. I think this place kinda reminds me of the classes you'd take in college for free. Oh, and the 80's music was lame. No "Eye of the Tiger" or "Love is a Battlefield."

Gesundheit Center

2005-02-22T22:41:00.000-06:00

Gesundheit Center

Tonight's flavor of yoga: Aroma Yoga. It's one teacher's creative blend of Hatha, Kundalini and aromatherapy. When I first arrived the teacher showed me and another student how to apply different oils to our chakras. We passed little bottles of different blends of oils around and rubbed them on the base of the spine, naval, belly, chest, throat, third eye (between the eyebrows) and the top of the head. It was very specific regarding which oil went where. See the the chakra points below:

Candles were lit and the class formed a circle around one candle in the middle of the room. We moved into various gentle exercises and poses as the teacher walked around and misted us with more scents. This class was so relaxing and wonderful.

There wasn't any mention of God, but the teacher did mention that there would be a full moon the following night and something about Virgo. What could the connection of yoga and Virgo be?

At the end of the class, the teacher walked around and put more oil on everyone's forehead. Finally, Kyung's forehead got some action.

Kyung and I rolled out of this class as happy as can be. This class is highly recommended for relaxing streching, breathing and wonderful aromas.

Kundalini Yoga East

2005-02-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

Kundalini Yoga East

Hannah and I were looking for our next Yoga class. At first, we started looking at the classes of spa-like, modern studios... but then we realized that these places were just going to offer nice, tranquil classes that stray far from the spiritual or unusual. What could we talk about on the blog if the places we go to are normal? So, we read the class description at Kundalini Yoga East studio "classes use celestial, healing and transformational sound of the gong." Perfect.

So, Hannah, Chona and I headed over to the "early" 11 AM class near Union Square. When you first walked in, it was clear that it was going to be hard to blend in. Everyone was wearing white clothes and white head coverings; gotta love my all black, sporty outfit. They offered tea before class and it seemed like a friendly crowd. We were instructed to leave all of our belongings unlocked in the main greeting area. You could feel a great deal of trust and camaraderie as soon as you arrived.

The studio room was bright and mats were placed very close together. How were we going to do any yoga when it's so crowded like this?

The teacher was an older man with a really bushy, white beard. He wore a white dress and turban. He kinda reminded me of a thin Santa Claus. This statement must make me look like an ageist. How is this different than saying all Chinese women look like Connie Chung? But the thought still stands.

We sat on our mats and did a lot of simple movements for long periods of time. For example, we held our hands in the air for 5 minutes, while we slowly inhaled and exhaled. Towards the 4 minute mark, my arms burned like hell. I allowed myself to rest here and there during these exercises. What can I say? Everyone had their eyes closed, so I thought it would be okay. Everyone goes at different paces on these exercises. So you can have a very smooth, graceful neighbor on your left and then a really spastic, crazy neighbor on your right.

There was a very interesting exercise that used whistling as a form of inhaling and exhaling. This definitely felt like it opened up my lungs and my heart. :)

Then we did some meditation. Now, I've never done any meditation before. I don't even know what people do during it. Specifically, I remember two times I learned a little something about meditation: 1) I asked a coworker what she learned about it when she bought a meditation guide CD and 2) on the show Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry David shared his mantra with his friend on the show. Later on, you see him sitting in his living room with a candle just repeating his mantra over and over. That's it. So, with this limited understanding of meditation I tried to follow along.

So, it ended up being like Curb Your Enthusiasm. The teacher gave us 6 foreign words and the class sang them over and over again for 11 minutes. During this, everyone was instructed to move their hands in a triangle to create energy within. I don't remember much of this experience. I was sort of drifting in and out. I'm afraid I was often thinking about how close it was to the end of the 11 minutes.

Then we were instructed to lie down, as the teacher banged on the gong. Wow. I definitely was in a different world during this, but then I heard a toilet flush. I looked over and there's Hannah coming out of the bathroom. Oh Hannah, what are you doing? Can't you see that I'm trying to enjoy the gong music? After I gave her a nasty look, I closed my eyes and focused back on the Gong Show.

Class was over and tea, cookies and nuts were served. My friends and I introduced ourselves to the teacher. He asked me what I thought about the class and I told him the truth, "It was very interesting." He was very gracious and didn't mind my answer. I thought it would be okay considering he did say "Bullshit" during the class. His main message was about self acceptance and love. It was a valid message. He spoke of God a few times in the sense that God is within us. I did like one of his parting statements: "God is neither he, she or it. God is a sheit." It sounded very close to "God is the shi-it." This class was a light religious experience. He mentioned the third eye religion, which I had heard about because my friend Jen used to be a devoted follower of this many years ago. I will have to do my research to see what this thing is about.

Some FAQ site I found about Kundalini.

Here's to more learning.

Jivamukti Yoga

2005-02-17T22:22:00.000-06:00

Jivamukti Yoga

Well, what can I say? I wasn't ready for this place, that's for sure. You arrive and you are greeted with a smile. You then remove your shoes and coats and place them in a communal area. No lockers, just signs that say to keep your wallet on you when you go to class. The place is big enough to have a few large studios and my friends and I walked into a large, dimly lit room with very few places left to put a mat down; it seemed like there was about 30 people in the room. One thing for sure, this room was full of beautiful women. A few men were scattered here and there and were surprisingly young. One guy in particular was wearing white short shorts and a bright white headband, with long flowy hair. I'm not sure what he reminded me of, but he definitely stood out to be a devoted student, gear and all.

The doors were shut and the teacher started to hand out booklets. We were going to do some chanting before the actual yoga started. Well, she sang some words in a foreign language and the room sang it back to her. This went on for 15 minutes. The singing reminded me of the Sundays I spent at church growing up. I didn't sing at all, I'd feel like a hypocrite. Funny, my friend Hannah without a religious upbringing belted out the chants. It was fun to her. Lots of fast breathing after the chanting. Everyone looked strange and the sight of Hannah's body shaking from the heavy breathing almost sent me into hysterics.

So the class went on and the teacher got up in front of the class and told a story about a little girl in Starbucks with a delightful, youthful glow and a man who ignored her as he was typing away at his computer. Product placement for Starbucks? No thank you. It made me sick to hear the word during a yoga class. She talked about her experience at the Christo and Jeanne-Claude "Gates" at Central Park. And finally she talked about the Jivamukti Yoga center as a place that everyone should feel the need to keep coming back. It felt strange. It was a mixture of really simple anecdotes and yoga center propaganda. During one of her stories, Hannah's cell phone went off. Somehow Hannah ignored all the "turn cell phone" signs on her way into the studio.

Nonetheless, the yoga part soon followed. It was a challenging experience. And when the teacher said it was headstand time ... Everyone but me and my friends gracefully balanced their legs in their air for about five minutes. These people were regulars. No one does handstands like that unless you've devoted yourselves to something a few times a week; perhaps even daily.

In the end, the teacher rubbed the back of my neck for a few seconds and then rubbed something I think was Eucalyptus on my neck, ears and forehead. Strangely, my two friends Hannah and Kyung were skipped during this process. Maybe I looked spiritually dead and the teacher thought I could use a boost? Maybe I was spiritually ready to take the next step, whereas my friends were not? Well, it may always be a mystery why I smelled like Eucalyptus and my friends did not when we walked home that day.

All in all, I'd do it again.

Fitness PassBook Links

2004-12-31T00:00:00.001-06:00

92nd street YM-YWHA

City Wing Tsun
Self defense and martial arts

Crunch

DanceSport

Dolphin Fitness Clubs

Excelsior Athletic Club
Roof top sun deck

Gold's Gym

Jewish Community Center in Manhattan
A lot of classes

KettleBell Concepts

Kyokushin Karate

Lenox Hill Neighborhood

Lucille Roberts

Manhattan Plaza Health Club
Great pool, roof deck

Manhattan Tae Kwon Do

MonQi Fitness

Murray Street Dance

Yoga Passbook Links

2004-12-31T00:00:00.000-06:00

East Village

Sal Anthony Movement Salon

East Yoga

Ramakrishnanada Classic Yoga Society
Weird site, Hatha Yoga and Wednesdays Tai Chi

Chelsea Area

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center

Stretch

Power Pilates

Laughing Lotus Yoga

Integral Yoga Institute

Healthy Yoga
Very few classes - Tuesday only

David Barton Gym
Classes all week

Union Square Area

Universal Force Yoga

OM Yoga Center

Kundalini Yoga East

Kane School of Core Integration

Himalayan Institute

Core Pilates NYC

Be Yoga

Olive Leaf Spa
Yoga + Pilates 1 class a day

Panetta Movement Center
Thurs Evening Yoga - 6:30 - 8pm, Mon. 5:15 - 6:30pm, Tues.5:30 - 7pm, Fri

Vajra Yoga
No weekends, few classes

Empire Dance
Dance classes

Dharma Yoga Center
Very few classes, 1 intensive weekend class

Dance Manhattan
No Sunday classes

The Breathing Project
No Sunday classes

Upper East Side

Patrica Ripley Fitness
A lot of gym and odd classes all week

Yoga Jivana
All week classes

Goodson Parker
No schedule online

DanceSport
No Sun dance classes

Upper West Side

Rasa Yoga Center
Rasa and Reiki class on Sun 8:30pm, Rasa Yoga classes all week

World Yoga Center
All week classes

West Village

Yamuna Studio
Body rolling classes-yoga with ball

Tribeca

Yoga in Tribeca
Early morning classes only on Sat and Sun

Chinatown/Lower East Side

Kula Yoga Project
A lot of classes 7 days

Lola Studios
A lot of classes 7 days

Re: AB Pilates

Wat Yoga
Thai boxing and Jai Yet Stretch

DanceSpaceCenter
Hip hop,capoeira, ballet

Atmananda Yoga Holistic Center

Midtown

Levitate Yoga
A lot of classes 7 days

New York Conservatory of Dance
3:00 Saturday basic beginner ballet class

Prana Mandir
Kundalini on weekends)

Prana Studio
Only Ashtanga yoga - no weekends)

Yogavani Mission
No classes until March 15

Zenergy Yoga and Meditation
M-Fri classes only

Exhale Spa
Yoga classes all week. Avoid core fusion

Dance Times Square
Dance classes

Dance New York
No weekends

Williamsburg Brooklyn

Greenhouse Holistic

Happy Now Flat Belly