I love this place called "Sivananda Yoga" on 23rd and 8th in the city. It's a non-profit and offers yoga/meditation classes for all levels. Very reasonable prices (not including cost of commute) - Beginner's course costs $70 ($12 90-minute sessions). Class size is usualy 6-8.

I took the beginner's course and now practice at home. Once in a while, I attend their "open class" just to be part of a group and keep up with the discipline ($10/session I think).

It IS a commute into the city. But I found it to be totally worth it. This is one place where yoga is not treated as just another fashion fad. They teach and preach Yoga as a lifestyle.

http://www.sivananda.org/ny/

update - Sonic...a yoga studio in Manhattan offers "community" classes for $8 taught by newer instructors. Today I did Salvator's class from 2:30-4 and it was seriously the best class I ever took. They have community classes throughout the week - google for their schedule. (their regular prices are 18!)...

anyway, his meditation was amazing - he walks around gently correcting your poses...and the best part - he put a drop of this awesome smelling oil stuff on my shoulders at the end...sounds weird but amazing, promise.

have fun.

Yoga shunya is having a summer special, 100 dollars for an unlimited month (4 weeks). You can start your month anytime before september, I believe, and it has to be completed by end of september.

Good deal if you wanted to go frequently (hell, you could go every day if you wanted). And great classes there.

Yoga is pricey, but I think you really do get more out of being in a class with other people. That said though, I only go once a week and supplement other days (I want a wii fit for the yoga!). Maybe when that lottery ticket comes through.

$17/session is too expensive.

I gave up on in-person yoga classes with the time it takes to commute and it's on their schedule, and instead roll out the mat in my living room and download a FREE yoga session from yogatoday.com

They offer beginner and advanced levels. Soon they'll have their entire archive up (now they offer about 7 classes in each level). Instructors are great and the backdrop is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My husband thought it was an Olan-Mills style fake backdrop, but it's the real place!

Enjoy!

Just got back from taking a Prenatal yoga class at the new Joon Yoga which is on Jersey Ave. The class was small but good. Today was the first day that they were offering classes so the turn out was small. The teacher Ronit was very welcoming and I enjoyed the class.

It seems like the classes are mainly targeted towards women with two prenatal classes and a Mommy yoga class where there is a babysitter on site, as well as some regular classes.

Their website is www.joonyoga.com

Does anyone know if you have to sign up ahead of time for the PS 16 class? Thanks!

JoonYoga is a new studio in downtown Jersey city
(489 Jersey Ave.) that is offering vinyasa classes for all levels.
first class is half price. www.joonyoga.com

is there a yoga studio in the heights?

Thanks JCInsomniac!

I just re-read the email myself. It states that someone will be leading the group in doing 108 sun salutations and chanting.

I'm thinking anyone can join the session. If you don't know how to do a sun salutation, you can run a search on youtube. Chanting is usually optional.

Here's a classical one:



And another with detailed explanations:



Enjoy!

Can beginners attend the Yoga Party at Liberty Park? I hope so..it sounds amazing!! Also, has anyone gone to the class at PS 16?

Got this in my inbox today from Elaine of Yoga Shunya, the yoga studio above Bar Majestic on Grove Street. Sounds like a great session. I'd take part in it, but I'll be out of town.

=======================

SUMMER SOLSTICE YOGA PARTY

Yogeshwari leads
108 Sun Salutations & Chanting. Individual variations welcome.
Liberty State Park - Near Columbus Monument
June 20th, 7:15 pm
It’s Free

Take in the longest day under the sky, near the sea, Manhattan on the horizon
Bring kids, friends, dogs
Bring a towel (no mat) water, snacks

Directions: Enter LSP on Johnston Ave, becomes Audrey Zapp Blvd. Right on Freedom Way, first left into parking lot with playground, restrooms. Walk toward the water.
Map: http://www.citimaps.com/liberty_state_park/cybermap.html

Liberty State Park closes at 10 pm - No alcohol in the park please

Yoga Shunya will be closed on July 4th. Happy Independence Day!

while it's not really "in the area"...

www.laughinglotus.com in the city offers donation/free classes taught by up-and-coming yoga teachers...I think they have really good deals for new people as well. and I know they have "rooftop" yoga for $11 - not bad.

the donation classes tend to be around 2:30-3:45

you should bring a yoga mat (or a towel works ok)...sometimes places will have mats but I like to use my own.

clothes you can move in (don't wear a big tshirt - b/c in some poses it will slide up around your head...annoying)...a more fitted shirt works best.

and usually bare feet...you can do socks - but then you may tend to slip around.

thx for mentioning this class - I would like to try it too!

oh - and for anyone interested in yoga dvd's - Rodney Yee has the best stuff out there...I've been doing the same two dvd's for the past six years (4 days per week) and never get tired of my good, old friend, Rod.

I've never taken yoga before. If I go to P.S. 16, what should I bring?

The Dept of Recreation has a free yoga class on Mondays at 6:30 at #16 school on Sussex Street. I cannot go each week but try to make it when it fits my schedule and it's always a nice group of people with all levels of experience.

You want free yoga classes? Go buy a DVD and use it at home. The more you use it, the closer to "free" it'll be.

I remember reading a posting somewhere about free yoga classes (once a week) in the Jersey City Public Library located at the Five Corners, check it out.

As an alternative, although not free, are the yoga classes offered at the World Boxing Gym located in Division Street between 7th and 8th Streets. The gym holds two yoga classes a week, Tueday and Thursday evenings, and the yoga instructor (Elizabeth) is awesome!
The gym membership is super reasonable ($55/month if you go month by month, or $150/month if you purchase a 3-month pass). So for $55/month you get at a minimum 8 yoga classes in total, which is not a bad deal, and of course, you also get the gym membership as well!

Hi I just want to know if anyone knows of free yoga classes in the area. Now a days people try to charge too much for a 1hr. class. Hit me up if anyone knows of anything.... Thanks

Arlene