The majority of people that have never tried yoga probably think of it as hippie-oriented, and a preface to smoking cannabis at the local park. While this may be true in some social circles, undoubtedly, a proportion of people who practice yoga regularly are FLOS (“folks like one’s self” – this is a term my father passed on to me, and it’s defined by people who act, live, and behave in a certain manner which is similar to one’s own conduct; in this case, I define FLOS as yuppies, but one’s definition of FLOS varies from person to person). FLOS, and anyone else who practices yoga, enjoy the rigors that deep stretching bring to each muscle. A dramatic self-esteem boost is entirely possible when you place your body in certain contortionist positions that you thought only circus performers could achieve.
The reality is that yoga, which must be considered a mainstream form of exercise in NYC and in many parts of the world, has nothing to do with cannabis-smoking hippies and everything to do with physical exploration and the development of one’s psyche.
In NYC, I’ve only practiced yoga at one studio, Yoga to the People (YTTP). The underlying concept of YTTP is that paying for yoga should be economically feasible for everyone that wishes to practice it. Claiming that “in a time where yoga as a business is getting a lot of attention,” YTTP services a niche market of clientele that don’t require a glorified yoga instructor, or the substantial fees that must be paid to work with them. Instead, YTTP offers its yoga classes on donation-based terms, and, for the most part, free of snobbery.
On one of my first yoga classes, I fell onto the floor attempting what can only be described as a one-footed “reach for the top of the Empire State Building” pose. I felt silly tripping on my lack of athletic ability, but nobody laughed (except for the person I was with). Within seconds, the instructor said from the front of the room, almost like a grade-school teacher, “if you have difficulty with any of the poses, remember that you are here for yourself; do not compare yourself with the rest of the class, and only go as far as your body can take you.” The statement made me comfortable, as its sheer simplicity and contrarian nature to my ex-football coaches’ shouts resonated within me. I can exercise at my own pace? I can!
All sessions end with a short meditation exercise that comprises of a reading of a spiritual quote, followed by the soothing noise of a gong. The instructor beats the gong once, holds the baton on the gong, and caresses it, back and forth, producing an overwhelming, but somehow comfortable noise that permeates the entire salon for about thirty seconds. This is the best part about attending a YTTP class. Your body aches and your muscles feel sore, but the vibration in your eardrums is reward enough to compensate for all of your body parts, if only for a moment.
YTTP’s entrance on St. Mark’s Place, between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, looks eerily similar to the entrance at my former NYC apartment. Essentially, it’s a crappy-looking loft building where you expect Oscar the Grouch to pop out of one of the garbage cans outside. Sadly for it, YTTP’s first impression can be attributed mostly to its physical establishment: the initial sight of a run-down door; a doorbell that seems as if it won't work, but somehow does; a hallway cluttered with old furniture with “sold” signs dangling on string; creaky stairs; and, due to the fact that shoes are not allowed inside the studio itself, the largest pile of J.Crew flats, Uggs, and Puma sneakers you’ve ever seen in your life!
The reality is that YTTP’s donation-based revenue model forces it to reduce costs in any way possible. Thus, one should not expect YTTP to ever move into brand new facilities any time soon, if ever. With that said, FLOS flock for the opportunity to perform yoga here despite the shabby building in the even shabbier neighborhood. A successful yoga class may lead to a self-esteem boost that is not inconsequential. As such, hidden treasure status is warranted for YTTP and its shabby location.
12 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003 http://www.yogatothepeople.com/new-york-yoga.shtml
The reality is that yoga, which must be considered a mainstream form of exercise in NYC and in many parts of the world, has nothing to do with cannabis-smoking hippies and everything to do with physical exploration and the development of one’s psyche.
In NYC, I’ve only practiced yoga at one studio, Yoga to the People (YTTP). The underlying concept of YTTP is that paying for yoga should be economically feasible for everyone that wishes to practice it. Claiming that “in a time where yoga as a business is getting a lot of attention,” YTTP services a niche market of clientele that don’t require a glorified yoga instructor, or the substantial fees that must be paid to work with them. Instead, YTTP offers its yoga classes on donation-based terms, and, for the most part, free of snobbery.
On one of my first yoga classes, I fell onto the floor attempting what can only be described as a one-footed “reach for the top of the Empire State Building” pose. I felt silly tripping on my lack of athletic ability, but nobody laughed (except for the person I was with). Within seconds, the instructor said from the front of the room, almost like a grade-school teacher, “if you have difficulty with any of the poses, remember that you are here for yourself; do not compare yourself with the rest of the class, and only go as far as your body can take you.” The statement made me comfortable, as its sheer simplicity and contrarian nature to my ex-football coaches’ shouts resonated within me. I can exercise at my own pace? I can!
All sessions end with a short meditation exercise that comprises of a reading of a spiritual quote, followed by the soothing noise of a gong. The instructor beats the gong once, holds the baton on the gong, and caresses it, back and forth, producing an overwhelming, but somehow comfortable noise that permeates the entire salon for about thirty seconds. This is the best part about attending a YTTP class. Your body aches and your muscles feel sore, but the vibration in your eardrums is reward enough to compensate for all of your body parts, if only for a moment.
YTTP’s entrance on St. Mark’s Place, between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, looks eerily similar to the entrance at my former NYC apartment. Essentially, it’s a crappy-looking loft building where you expect Oscar the Grouch to pop out of one of the garbage cans outside. Sadly for it, YTTP’s first impression can be attributed mostly to its physical establishment: the initial sight of a run-down door; a doorbell that seems as if it won't work, but somehow does; a hallway cluttered with old furniture with “sold” signs dangling on string; creaky stairs; and, due to the fact that shoes are not allowed inside the studio itself, the largest pile of J.Crew flats, Uggs, and Puma sneakers you’ve ever seen in your life!
The reality is that YTTP’s donation-based revenue model forces it to reduce costs in any way possible. Thus, one should not expect YTTP to ever move into brand new facilities any time soon, if ever. With that said, FLOS flock for the opportunity to perform yoga here despite the shabby building in the even shabbier neighborhood. A successful yoga class may lead to a self-esteem boost that is not inconsequential. As such, hidden treasure status is warranted for YTTP and its shabby location.
12 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10003 http://www.yogatothepeople.com/new-york-yoga.shtml
