Though it’s been around for thousands of years, the appeal of yoga remains as strong as ever. Known for its numerous physical and mental benefits, yoga is practiced around the world and this month gets the spotlight as September is National Yoga Month.
Whether you’re a yoga newbie or experienced practitioner, here are a few local studios rolling out the mats.
Absolute Yoga
1 Guilles Lane, Woodbury; 516-682-9642
Candlelight sets the mood at Absolute Yoga in Woodbury, where Friday candlelight yoga classes allow attendees to improve flexibility and destress. The studio is illuminated with the soft glow of candlelight as attendees build strength and experience a meditative focus. Absolute also offers a chair yoga class, perfect for all ages, fitness levels and physical conditions. Instructors guide attendees through positions which use a chair, instead of a traditional yoga mat, and students are able to warm up their bodies safely with more support and stability. This class includes breathing techniques, stretching, strengthening and mediation, all while attendees sit in a chair.
Emerge Yoga
623 Broadway, Massapequa; 516-781-1078
Defy gravity during a high-energy antigravity flying fitness class at Emerge Yoga. Students sit in a hammock suspended in the air, doing moves that allow them to stretch, strengthen and increase their flexibility. As they flip and sail through the air, attendees build up their cardio and muscular capacity to the tune of an upbeat soundtrack. This full body workout combines traditional yoga with aerial arts for an exercise session that literally flies by.
Hot Yoga
143 Voice Rd., Carle Place; 516-385-6787
Feel the heat during a hot yoga class. Advocates for hot yoga say the sauna-like room, which reaches temperatures over 100 degrees, provides an environment to warm muscles, which facilitates deeper stretching in shorter amounts of time, as well as faster healing to prevent injury. The high heat also produces lots of sweat and consequent toxin-release, leaving attendees with glowing skin. Class participants are guided through a series of 26 postures, designed to stimulate and restore every muscle, joint and organ of the body.
Revolution Yoga
7 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre; 516-619-6421
Yoga novices will enjoy the “Newbies” class at Revolution Yoga, where instructors explain what yoga is, its origin and basic postures. Students will walk away with a better understanding of alignment, intention and injury prevention, giving them a firm foundation before they move onto other classes. The studio also offers restorative yoga classes, a passive practice where students are propped in postures using bolsters, blankets, blocks, straps and sandbags on the floor. Attendees are guided through a relaxation meditation and receive hands-on adjustments. Revolution staff has designed the class to boost immunity and resilience, as well as spark healing mechanisms.
The Yoga Shack
100 Benkert St., Bethpage (second floor); 516-395-0121
Young yogis-in-training will love the variety of children’s and teen offerings at the Yoga Shack. Upcoming class options include Mommy and Me Yoga, Teen Yoga and Empow-HER, where girls ages 11-15 gain confidence and self-awareness through yoga, meditation and mindfulness strategies. The studio also has an eight-week series for children with special needs, which covers social skills, physical practice, anger management, balance and more.
Long Island Weekly celebrates National Yoga Month!
