Living in New York City is a workout in and of itself. From rushing to catch the subway to climbing five flights of stairs when the elevator just isn’t an option, New Yorkers are active people. I often find myself winded after a particularly long day of school, work, and general errands; and because I’ve spent all day running around, it’s hard for me to carve time out of my schedule to force myself to the gym. Not to mention that once I’m there I find myself struggling with how to workout. Do I stay on the elliptical for 20 minutes or lift weights? I’ve found yoga classes to be the best way to get a workout, de-stress, and be apart of a fitness community, all at the same time.
Before I began yoga, I had a very limited idea of what it actually was. I mean, isn’t it just stretching? In fact, yoga is actually so much more. Yoga was actually developed up to 5,000 years ago in India as a comprehensive system for wellbeing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, according to yogaalliance.org. Today, many millions of people use various aspects of Yoga to help raise their quality of life in such diverse areas as fitness, stress relief, wellness, vitality, mental clarity, healing, peace of mind and spiritual growth.
Yoga to the People is a donation based yoga studio in New York City with 5 different locations in New York City alone. While there are many different kinds of yoga, Yoga to the People offers Power Vinyasa flow, Traditional Hot Yoga, and Hot Vinyasa. Vinyasa flow is one of the most popular types of yoga that connects movement with breath. The Yoga to the People website says, “Our power vinyasa flow classes are inspired by Bryan Kest, a profound teacher who has found the balance between effort, awareness and breath. The emphasis is on you, not on any particular teacher.”
When I began my yoga journey, I was very self conscious. Being in a class right next to someone who’s seamlessly putting their legs over their head while I struggle to sometimes touch my toes can be daunting. What I love about Yoga to the People is the community aspect. As the instructors lead the classes, they often reassure everyone that your yoga journey is not the same as someone else’s. No one knows your body better than you do. During particularly difficult poses, the instructor will remind you that everything is temporary. While the instructors encourage you to push yourself further, they also respect that you may not be at the same level as someone else, and that’s okay.
Several times during the session, the instructor will encourage everyone to take a deep breath and let it out at the same time. There’s something so beautiful about a studio full of people expelling all their stresses of the day in one guttural sound. It really brings the room together. As challenging as yoga can be during the session, you are truly stretching and expelling out all of your stresses of the day. The last 10 minutes of every session are dedicated to a moment of quiet reflection. The instructor will often encourage you to reflect on your practice. What you did, how far you’ve come, and how far you still have yet to go. Instructors will also read a daily affirmation at the end of every class. These ten minutes at the end of class are probably the most relaxing of my entire week.
The best thing about Yoga to the People is that their power vinyasa classes are completely donation based. While they recommend a donation of $10 a class, they encourage you to give what you can. They also have yoga mat rentals for $5. In comparison to expensive studios, Yoga to the People is the perfect place to try out yoga if you haven’t before. If you’re looking to continue your practice, Yoga to the People also offers teaching classes and core strengthening classes as well. With no contracts or memberships you don’t have to worry about missing a week due to school or a busy schedule. Yoga to the People offers 10 classes a day Monday through Friday, and 8 classes a day on Saturday and Sunday, so you have the freedom to show up when you can!
Yoga to the People has helped me better my life both physically and mentally. If you have any interest in yoga I urge you to give it a try! If you’re still not convinced to begin or continue your yoga journey at Yoga to the People, their mantra is as follows:
There will be no correct clothes
There will be no proper payment
There will be no right answers
No glorified teachers
No ego no script no pedestals
No you’re not good enough or rich enough
This yoga is for everyone
This is sweating and breathing and becoming
This knowing glowing feeling
Is for the big, small, weak, and strong
Able and crazy
Brothers, sisters, grandmothers
The mighty and meek
Bones that creak
Those who seek
This power is for everyone
Yoga to the People
All bodies rise
You can find out more about Yoga to the People at https://yogatothepeople.com