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Outdoor Yoga in Manhattan, NY

Outdoor Yoga in Manhattan, NY

You can find just about any entertainment or fitness option that you want in NYC! And that includes outdoor yoga!

From Brooklyn and Queens to Manhattan, there are more green spaces and rooftops than you might, at first, think, that offer yoga amidst the great outdoors.

Yo Yoga - Midtown East

Owner and director Rebecca Weible have created a comfortable space for yogis to practice their craft and escape from the maddening noise of the city.

Striking a tranquil pose at Yo Yoga is the perfect respite from the typical New Yorkers' non-stop, day in / day out hamster wheel existence.

Originally from the bucolic environs of Myrtle Beach South Carolina, Rebecca was introduced to yoga, as a child, when her mother bought her a book about the history of yoga.

Under her mom's direction, Rebecca began imitating the various yoga poses that were illustrated in the book and, from that moment on, she was hooked!

After moving to the Big Apple, Rebecca taught yoga part-time, working in advertising during the day.

Eventually, though, Rebecca felt that it was high time that she followed her heart and, leaving the corporate world behind, decided to devote her life to the teaching and practice of yoga.

The student community at Yo Yoga is so very glad that she did!

Everything about the space is zen and inviting, particularly the cute rooftop where you can do yoga, both day and night.

Enclosed by other buildings on both sides, Yo Yoga's rooftop deck is secluded, creating a cozy and intimate feel. The serene space is decorated with flowers and potted plants. At night, the area is lit up with a string of Edison light bulbs.

The branches of a huge tree that stand in an adjoining courtyard, provide ample shade during the day.

There are few things that are more emotionally and spiritually nourishing, than doing yoga in the open air, with a blue sky and pillow-soft clouds forming a majestic backdrop. It is almost like a painting come to life!

The great news is that, during the Spring and Summer, at least 50% of Yo Yoga's classes will be held outdoors! That is totally something for you to look forward to.

The majority of the classes are open-level and are specifically designed for beginners. Yo Yoga is judgment-free so you can feel free to ease into the flow.

Rebecca and her staff welcome questions and will work with you so that you can get the most out of your class.

Class options include stretch and restore as well as candle-lit restorative yoga. If you have had an unusually hectic week at work and in your personal life, then this is the class for you!

Relax your busy mind and feel the flow at Yo!

Location and Hours

344 East 59th Street

New York, N.Y. 10022

(646) 490-7790

www.yoyoganyc.com

Hours

Monday 8 AM to 9 PM

Tuesday 7 AM to 9 PM

Wednesday 8 AM to 9 PM

Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM

Friday 8 AM to 9 PM

Saturday 10 AM to 6:30 PM

Sunday 10 AM to 7:30 PM

Bhakti Center - Lower East Side

This serene oasis of peace is so much more than just a place to learn yoga. Oh, you will be able to do that, too, as the Bhakti Center offers a wide array of courses and workshops that have been certified by the Yoga Alliance.

However, from the moment that you walk through their door, you will feel a certain calm come over you, as you become one with yourself. That indescribable feeling is something that is well worth its' weight in gold.

About this time into your read, you might just be wondering what Bhakti, as a philosophy and teaching modality, is all about.

Bhakti is, in very simple terms, a centuries-old spiritual practice that is designed to connect our soul with the "divine source", through yoga and meditation.

The instructors here at Bhakti Center draw their inspiration from the life of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

This gentle, giving man was the first to introduce the culture of Bhakti to the western world when he taught college students on the Lower East Side, after moving to NYC from Calcutta in 1965.

 

bryant park

 

At the Center, you can indulge your inner soul with a Yin Yoga class. Yin is a slower-paced style of yoga in which each passive asana ( pose), is held for several minutes. This class will definitely help you to get in touch with your emotions.

You can also Relax and Rejuvenate with a restorative yoga workshop and learn the calming art of yoga breathing with a Pranayama master class.

But the class that everyone has been waiting for, all Winter, is Full Moon Rooftop Flow! This is open-air yoga at its' finest and most innovative. Spring and Summer evenings were made for a class such as this!

Taught by Alexandra Moga, this class takes place during the full moon that occurs each month. The theme of each class will be tailored to the specific sign of the full moon for that particular month.

For example in July, Alexandra and her students will dive into the world of inspired commitments, as the full moon will be in Capricorn. What exactly are we giving our time to? What gives us the most joy and satisfaction in life?

Another rooftop class, in August, will, with the full moon in Aquarius, look at how we interact with the world around us.

Under a gorgeous moon-lit sky, Alexandra will take you on a journey through the wisdom and guidance of practical astrology, expansive movement and meditation.

A practitioner, since her teens, Alexandra's yoga journey began as a child, when she would travel to Romania during Summer vacation, to visit with her aunt.

At the family home, Alexandra would meditate alongside her aunt, who taught her niece practices in forgiveness, focused breathing and energetic visualization.

Alexandra's classes at Bhakti are dynamic and uplifting. You will leave feeling totally transformed.

Location and Hours

25 1st Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10003

(212) 533-4842

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hours

Monday to Sunday 9 AM to 9 PM

Modo Yoga NYC - Greenwich Village

A community of inspired students that stretches worldwide, Modo Yoga is a brand that stands for community and sustainability.

Their NYC location is located, most appropriately, in Greenwich Village, which has long been a hub of social activism, artists and avant-garde thinkers.

The foundation of Modo Yoga's ever-expanding community are the six pillars.....Be accessible; Be green; Be healthy; Become a Community; Be Peaceful and, perhaps, most importantly, Live to learn.

Most of their class offerings involve "hot" yoga, where the rooms are heated to around ninety degrees. Yes, it will make you sweat some. But, you'll leave feeling as though all of the toxins have been banished from your body. And, in an odd sort of way, you'll feel very refreshed.

Keeping this philosophy in mind, each and every month, Modo Yoga offers donation-based classes to raise awareness and funds for local and international charities and not-for-profit organizations.

It's all about reaching out with kindness and taking yoga off the mat and out into the world.

If you're seeking something a little different, then you might want to look into one of Modo Yoga's live music karma classes.

The guest musician is usually a guitarist who will strum melodic sounds that waft in and out of your consciousness as you go through a series of yoga postures. The music just transports you to another place, entirely.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the team at Modo Yoga offers a series of special rooftop yoga classes.

But, we're not talking about just any old rooftop. Classes take place, every Thursday from 8 AM to 9 AM, high atop the rooftop pool deck at the trendy James Hotel in Soho.

With 360 degree views of the city that never sleeps, you'll be inspired to do yoga like never before! Indulge your senses with a river to river panoramic vista that includes Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge.

The price is only $35 a class and complimentary mats are provided. Of course, if you're lucky enough to be a guest of the hotel, you can get in for free as part of the James' Urban Wellness Program.

This spectacular rooftop offers, not only a spacious deck and pool to take a dip in, but also the Jimmy, a bar that has few peers, even in the rarefied atmosphere of the city's rooftop bar scene.

 

modo yoga nyc

 

With elements like herringbone floors, a leather-trimmed solid wood-top bar and rich, blue upholstery, you'll want to come back for a drink or two that evening and indulge in another kind of zen experience.

Oh and by the way, the bar keeps at Jimmy have created a superb cocktail list that contains elixirs and potions that are concocted with house-made syrups, bitters and fresh juices as well as herbs that have been grown in the chef's garden on the rooftop.

Modo Yoga

Location and Hours

434 Sixth Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10011

(212) 780-9642

www.jameshotels.com

Hours

Monday to Friday 6 AM to 10 PM

Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 8 PM

The James Hotel

15 Thompson Street

New York N.Y. 10013

(212) 201-9118

www.jameshotels.com

Broken Shaker Rooftop Bar - Flatiron District

The chance to do yoga, al fresco, at one of the sexiest and most talked about cocktail bars in Manhattan? Yes, please!

A veritable rooftop oasis of greenery and good vibes, the Broken Shaker, which is situated on the 18th floor of the Freehand Hotel, has a fun, party-hearty Tiki bar ambiance.

The wow factor is turned up several notches every Friday afternoon at 2 PM and Saturdays at 10 AM, when the folks at Drunk Yoga host an event that puts a capital N in the word Namaste'!

You will be in your happy place, for sure, after attending one of these yoga soirees'.

Drunk Yoga was founded by the charismatic Eli Walker. A certified yoga instructor with years of experience teaching private clients, Eli has also undergone rigorous training with the Himalayan Iyengar Institute in India,

And, this lovely, multi-talented yogi also just happens to hold a BFA in acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Eli founded Drunk Yoga as a way of bringing people together, especially those men and women who might be a little intimidated by the practice of yoga.

When you attend a Drunk Yoga event at the Broken Shaker, you won't feel any pressure to be perfect. It's all about having fun! Eli's mission is to take the mystery out of yoga, cultivate community and inspire joy.

The event goes something like this. A 15-minute happy hour kicks things off with a glass of wine and some cool, mood-inducing music.

Then it's time to get, (somewhat) serious as Eli, or one of her instructors brings everyone to their mats for a 45 minute,beginner-friendly yoga class. A half-hour "wine-down", where everyone is encouraged to connect, mix and mingle, will conclude the event.

By the way, if you are not an imbiber; no worries, there will be plenty of water on hand as well as complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Just bring along an "attitude of gratitude", as Eli so quaintly puts it, together with a belief that "happiness is health".

But, here's the thing; after your yoga class has concluded Saturday morning, you might wish to stick around for brunch.

Created by the renowned hospitality team of Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi, the

Broken Shaker is a James Beard award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail's Best American hotel bar award!

The Shaker's brunch menu is a satisfying melange' of dishes that are light and refreshing as well as both sweet and savory.

Small plates and starters range from the Ceviche of the day, house-made ricotta and seasonal jam on Sullivan Street Bakery bread and Avocado toast to a divine Summer melon salad with Cotija cheese and smoked trout roe.

Entrees include Huevos Divorciados with two fried eggs, bacon, and yucca hash browns. You'll also relish the French Toast Maduro Foster. Comprised of fresh sourdough bread, sweet plantains, a dash of brown sugar, aged rum and an incredibly delicious strawberry and guava jam, this is one of the most satisfying brunches treats that you'll find anywhere in town.

All brunch cocktails come in at $16 and they are well worth every penny. There are sparkling bubbles aplenty in the Peaches and Dreams, together with Aperol, Montenegro, peach puree' and citrus juices.

Their signature libation is the superb Verde Bloody Mary, which consists of Grey Goose, smoked tomatillo, lime juice, cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos and beer. Your garnish is house-made pickles. Be forewarned, this is one potent concoction. but it is delicious!

Location and Hours

Broken Shaker Rooftop Bar

The Freehand Hotel

23 Lexington Avenue

New York, N.Y. 10010

(212) 475-1920

www.freehandhotels.com

Hours

Monday to Thursday 4 PM to 2 AM

Friday 3 PM to 3 AM

Saturday 11 AM to 3 AM

Sunday 11 AM to 2 AM

Bryant Park - Midtown

Now in its' seventeenth year, Yoga at Bryant Park's vast lawn is more popular than it's ever been.

Of course, the fact that the classes are free might have a little something to do with the program's outstanding success. However, the lush green and peaceful atmosphere and stellar line-up of instructors deserve some credit, as well.

In partnership with the mindful folks at Health Magazine, the Bryant Park Alliance hosts yoga classes from May 30th through August 29th, every Tuesday from 10 until 11 AM and Thursdays, from 6 PM to 7 PM, which is perfect if you want to get some yoga in after your work day is done.

You can always bring your own mat, but the good news is that, at every class, over a thousand complimentary yoga mats will be provided by Gaiam! These mats are very comfortable and include just about every color of the rainbow.

Classes are taught by some of the most accomplished yogis in the business from brand name studios around town.

Instructors like Sheri Celentano, Jen Carlin, Patrick Foley and Elena Brower will raise your level of consciousness with inspiring classes for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Aside from yoga, Bryant Park offers numerous other wellness options as well as fun physical activities including Pilates, Tai Chi classes, Brazilian Capoeira, fencing and a totally awesome Boot Camp style workout on the Fifth Avenue Terrace portion of the park.

Presented by The Rise NYC, a community-driven pop-up fitness group, these boot camp classes focus on cardio and strength training.

 

outdoor yoga manhattan

 

You will need to refuel after your workout or striking one too many yoga poses.

Scattered throughout the landscape of the park are several food kiosks that offer everything from nutritious, healthy options to ice cream!

However, the place that you simply must check out is The Porch, an outdoor bar and restaurant that is nestled under the trees right by the fountain terrace.

Quite the stylish hangout, The Porch has a spiffy, contemporary look to it, with swings and sexy, lounge furniture. Think of it as an outdoor living room, if you will.

They have a full bar with an amazing selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The Porches' menu emphasizes light bites with an interesting array of salads, wraps and burgers.

Location

Bryant Park

between 40th and 42nd street

and fifth and Sixth Avenue.

Central Park - Midtown

We all love the city and the incredible amenities that the Big Apple offers from endless shopping and dining options to museums, concert venues, art galleries and other cultural attractions.

But, sometimes, having to navigate the noise and crowds that are part and parcel of the concrete jungle can be a little too much, even for the most seasoned New Yorker.

That's when it's time to take a welcome break from the urban landscape and venture into one of the city's parks.

There's no better place to get back in touch with your inner zen than the city's oldest natural habitat, Central Park.

From April through November, you can reconnect with nature and do yoga within the wooded environs of Central Park.

The park's yoga trail leads to the quiet and serene surroundings of the celebrated Sheep Meadow.

Vinyasa Yoga classes are offered Tuesdays at six in the evening and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 AM.

Although this style of yoga takes a meditative approach, be prepared to sweat and move! Your instructor will guide you through a series of poses that are designed to unlock tension and relieve stress while also building core strength and flexibility.

Hatha Yoga classes are held every Monday at 11:30 AM and Thursdays at 6 PM. Ideal for those who may be new to yoga, this class is gentle and slower-paced than Vinyasa.

Hatha Yoga emphasizes the even flow of breath and alignment of the body so that energy can flow more freely. When you leave the Sheep meadow, you'll be so relaxed and limbered-up, that you'll feel ready to float all the way home!

Please take note that reservations are required for all classes and both the Vinyasa and Hatha classes are $20.

Aside from yoga, you can also partake in the very special Sunrise Yoga Walk in Central Park.

This yoga-inspired workout will really get you going. It combines a series of power walks throughout the park's most serene and inviting locations, with restorative yoga poses and stretches at each stop.

Sunrise Yoga Walk is presented by Fit Tours NYC, an organization founded by native New Yorkers who are dedicated to bringing fitness to outdoor locations all around the city.

The walk lasts approximately one hour and takes place at 8 AM, Monday through Saturday. The cost is only $39 per person and reservations are required.

Location and Entrances

Central Park Sheep Meadow

West 65th Street

Main Entrances

Sixth Avenue and 59th Street

Columbus Circle and West 59th Street

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