Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York

I went to this studio for two «special needs» classes after 2 of my physical therapists asked me to do iyengar yoga.
I applied online and was excited /​optimistic when they approved me. My first class seemed to go smoothly with Michelle being careful about each pose. She isn’t very friendly and is rude at times — don’t expect the typical loving hippie yoga types here — but I trusted her, and I felt great the next day so I decided to come back.
Michelle hadn’t written down my sequence, so Susan worked with me next session without really knowing my condition — and without much assistance from Michelle even though they were both present. Susan assumed since I’m young my condition isn’t very serious and pushed me, pulled me in directions that caused pain, and put me in poses that were bad for my condition — even when I explained to her what muscles can and can’t be used. It’s been a week and I still have a flare up of intense pain.
When I called the studio to talk about the last session, I spoke with James who is the head of the studio. FYI The Iyengar Institute isn’t regulated — it is a nonprofit owned by James and Edward. I told him the whole story about what happened and how I felt. I was expecting him to provide some solutions like «ok we won’t have Susan work with you anymore and we won’t do x y or z positions.»
But instead of working with me to find solutions, James was defensive AND offensive. When I said that my physical therapist said X pose isn’t good for me, he responded «this is not physical therapy. If your physical therapist knows so much then why come here? Just go to her.» When I said «no» — I was going to say «no, she asked that I also do iyengar,» he responded in a loud voice «Do NOT say NO to me!»
To his repeated WE ARE NOT PHYSICAL THERAPISTS comments, I said: «I know that. But as yoga teachers you understand anatomy and the body and muscles and how the poses affect the body» and he responded, condescendingly, «we can’t tell how your body will react to poses. yoga is NOT about the body! You don’t know what yoga is.» I said, «ok then what is it about?» He responded «the mind (and basically — more things about what yoga *really* is you idiot).»
At some point I had asked «if I continue these classes, what am I supposed to expect? Who manages my sequence? What do I do in class?» «You are responsible for your OWN sequence,» he responded. And then later on when I was just trying to get him to listen to what adjustments I needed I said «okay you said I am responsible for my own sequence and I am responsible for my own health, so it’s my responsibility to tell you what I can and can’t do in class — so can you just hear me out?» He responded «if you’re responsible for your sequence and your health then make your own sequence and do it on your OWN.» (LOL wtf?)
He literally would say anything to just argue with me. I said «I thought we could have a productive conversation and find solutions so I can continue coming to the studio, but I feel like everything I say — you say the exact opposite, like ‘if you don’t like it then don’t come back.» And he responded «no I DONT. I NEVER said that! don’t put words into my mouth!» Like a child!
When I said that I’m just asking you for a solution as a paying student, he raised his voice and said, «You are NOT a paying customer! You are learning YOGA! Don’t tell me about PAYMENTS! Don’t even mention money!» I responded «these classes are expensive for me» and he responded «if you are even thinking about money then yoga isn’t for you.» (LOL!)
I told him I was uncomfortable with how he was talking to me and that I WANT to keep coming to classes, but that our conversation is making me feel uncomfortable with coming back. He retorted, «you have your solution then. I’m done talking to you.» «Did you buy a sequence of classes?» He asked. «yes» I said. «Then you can get your money back for whatever you have not used,» he retorted. ($ 15 for the third class in a 3-​class series)
I seriously wish I was over exaggerating or making this stuff up! If only I voice recorded it because I don’t even think anyone would believe that a «yogi» would treat anyone like this. I pretty much left the convo in tears. Pretty ironic and unexpected isn’t it — a yogi making students cry. If yoga is of the mind according to James, what does iyengar yoga do to the mind? Turn people into egomaniacs? I’ve been doing yoga since I was 11 (granted my first classes were at the YMCA with my mom haha) — and I’ve never been treated like this.
These guys aren’t yogis — they’re just holier-​than-​thou condescending money mongers. I hope there is another Iyengar studio that is different and treats people with empathy and respect.
BTW — I emailed his business partner Edward but I don’t expect that to do anything. What I really expect is a response on Unilocal vehemently defending the institute and talking about how horrible I am — a response similar to the phone call I just experienced. LOL Let’s see.

I took yoga classes here for a year or so. Most of the yoga classes are 5 stars, when you find an instructor and class that you vibe with. Why I gave this place 1 star is because I dropped over $ 300 dollars on a 20 class card. Then I had a medical emergency/​problem that ended up lasting 6 months. By the time I recovered, my class card had expired and I had used 5 classes out of 20. The staff at Iyengar Institute were unwilling to make an exception to their policy that all classes cards have an expiration date. Basically I donated about $ 200 to the Iyengar Institute through the unused classes that I paid for. Clearly the people who run this place care more about their balance sheet than correct action in accordance with yoga scriptures. Is this what BKS Iyengar would have done if he was still alive? The people that work there should be asking themselves that question.

I have been living in and out of Manhattan and was looking for a yoga teacher with a deep understanding of yoga asanas, philosphy and pranayam. My prayers were answered when I accidentally went to Lara Warren’s Level II class on a Friday. The clarity of her instructions, the precision of her demonstrations and her commanding personality left me truly enriched. The class is not crowded like other studios and Lara was very attentive to each participant in her class. Thank you so much for the wonderful session!

Some of the best yoga instruction that you can get in NYC if you are a serious yoga practitioner. The instructions are direct and to the point. If you are truly interested in learning about the physical yoga postures, this place is the best place to do it. They don’t play music in their classes, so if you are looking for more of a vinyasa style music class, this is not the place for that.

Yoga for anyone and everyone — old & young, skinny & fat, fit & challenged… they will help you help yourself.

Taken classes here twice, while visiting. Very excellent yoga instructors! Good rooms lots of props very safe and effective practice. Would have received 5 stars except $ 25 for a drop in is a bit high plus Iyengar teachers can be a bit impersonal and stiff, paradoxically! But overall truly a 4.5, very great studio, I try to return every time I visit New York! Oh and it’s a little weird getting there, you have to get buzzed in. One time I had to call, the other time I followed someone else in

I’m going to write about the teachers not the space itself or the yoga philosophy which I whole heartly love and recommend. The real downside is that if you really need yoga or have physical constraints that prohibit you from doing all the poses, this method is great. However if you really have a disability then I felt he that some of the instructors were judgemental — James and the another one who was really weirdly overbearing– she has since left the studio and has her own in Brooklyn — Andrea???
Anyway, I felt really awkward with these instructors and dampened my experience although this is not what Iyengar yoga is about… I will continue but not with James.

Iyengar is all about proper form and alignment. I love that they use props to adjust the posture to your own body type. It’s so amazing and intelligent. with practice, you will learn and eventually become more aware of your own body even outside of the studio.
I love and appreciate many styles of yoga. Iyengar was recommended to me by one of my yoga instructors to help improve my posture and alignment. I’m so grateful for his suggestion since it’s such a great learning experience and it even helped me enhance my bikram and vinyasa practice as well.
I have bad posture since I have a curvy back and I’m also very flexible which makes it hard to maintain good alignment. In the past, I suffered from back pain and years of standing in high heels did not help. I realize I need to make a conscious effort at all times to correct my posture. My yoga practice has helped me feel my own body and to help make it stronger. I also love the rope wall. it’s so addictive. once you overcome the fear, it’s really therapeutic to hang upside down.
I’ve taken many classes with different instructors and they are all amazing in their own way– Naghmeh, Adam, Lisa, Brooke, Lara, Carolyn, Bobby, Genny, Carrie, Michelle, Matt and Debby. I would highly recommend the weekend workshops and when Firooza Razvi comes to NY, you MUST take her class. She’s so amazing and inspiring!
Their restorative class is my favorite. I find it odd that a headstand and downward dog can actually be restorative but it can if it’s done right. And who knew how much fun you can have with a chair, a bolster, a block and a rope.

One of the trainers fractured my foot in the special needs class on April 16^th! She pushed my body so hard and pulled it so bad that I was in excruciating pain for a week until I got an injection and now I am in a boot for 6 – 12 weeks. She was very damaging to my body and needs to be banned from this class of people following their surgeries.

Amazing studio the classes are very good the people are so warm and there’s such a lovely energy when you walk in the I wish they did more than just one style of yoga because its such a great studio… love it

My experience with the Intro Series was awesome. The focus was on proper alignment and precision, which is important to avoid injury due to bad habits that were never addressed from the beginning. This space is serious.

The Iyengar Yoga, Astanga Yoga and Sivananda Yoga are perhaps the greatest gifts to America. With only a few, very unique, isolated exceptions that you can actually count on one hand, everything else in the Yoga world is just simply junk. They teach you nothing and try to sell you yoga as a sweaty gym workout. For example, Hot Yoga is not only entirely an inferior American invention, but it teaches you nothing. In many cases, people are actually getting sick. Hot Yoga simply sucks! IMHO, no one should be doing asana in a heated room. It is simply a competitive fad that has no special benefits. Another pet peeve… Loud, distracting music also has no place in yoga. It is appalling how many yoga teachers succumb to the stupidity of trends that actually end up taking away from a yoga practice. The best yoga class should not play any music whatsoever. At best, it should be soft, gentle music playing at low volume in the background.
The Iyengar Yoga Institute NY is a great place for anyone to start learning about yoga. I have been making the rounds across the country and dropping in one many different yoga schools, both popular and not well-​known, as well as a few yoga celebrities. For the most part, I have been entirely disappointed. Many celebrities have simply learned the art of entertainment. They throw advanced postures at you before your time, they throw chanting at you whether you want it, or not; they throw kirtan at you as if it were «THE» thing to experience in yoga. They also seem to be on their own private journey, unrelated to anything taught in the yoga sutras. Some of these celebrities should not be teaching at all. And don’t get me started on «Yoga For The People», or whatever it’s called. Yuk! :-(Very disappointing experience. The classes are crowded, they teach you nothing and the teachers are, for the most part, young, inexperienced, aloof and quite arrogant.
In my opinion, no one can surpass a teacher who is well versed in three schools: Iyengar Yoga, Astanga Yoga and one of the authentic Indian schools (Sivananda, Integral, or the like). Everything else is a junk cash cow exploiting those who are ignorant of Yoga. Anyone can literally become a yoga teacher regardless of authentic experience. Unfortunately, the U.S. is now full of fake yogi business opportunists who want to make a quick buck and cut into the growing yoga industry. These people and businesses are inferior, regardless of how much marketing schemes they throw at you, or how much experience they claim to have, or how many trips to India they have undertaken. Some of the WORST teachers (in mind, body and spirit) that I have experienced along my journey have «been to India» and «studied» with an «authentic» guru. They are deluding themselves and their followers.
The best teachers walk the talk every single step of the way. For the most part, I find that to be true here at the Iyengar Institute. There are exceptions, of course, but I really recommend that you experience this school. Make it your mission to seek out a competent instructor who will not only teach you the intricacies of postures, but who will also teach you philosophy, meditation and provide additional knowledge. Look for a teacher who will also inspire you with their own practice. Another pet peeve is teachers who walk you through postures that they cannot even do themselves. If a teacher is showing me an advanced posture, I expect her to be 100% proficient and a master of the posture. But on the other hand, performance with ego is not a good thing either. Look for a solid, seasoned, experienced, wise and mentally mature teacher. Are there bad teachers at this studio? Yes, but I still recommend that you begin your journey here at Iyengar Yoga. Are you timid, or overbearing? Prepare to get rid of that by challenging yourself in order to change for the better.

Pay attention to the building numbers, that’s the only way you’ll find it. I think you press «2» at the intercom, and they’ll buzz you in. You can take the elevator or stairs. The receptionist is great, they offer good customer service, so you can feel reassured that you’re in good hands. Your time will not be wasted.
I’ve only taken 1 class here — it was the restorative and it was subbed by Jim (?) who was still great. It was actually my first proper Iyengar class ever, yet I still got a LOT out of the class — the difference between Iyengar yoga and other styles really is striking. Come here to learn about your skeletal structure, about proper alignment to achieve the maximum benefit of the poses, and about the beauty of a consistent practice which goes deep. B.K.S. Iyengar left the world with a deep wealth of knowledge and science to give us the chance to achieve optimal results in health and wellness. Just be prepared — they run as a non-​profit, so their prices are much higher than average.

I give 5 stars to the iyengar yoga practice but 2 stars to this pathetic institute. Am I wrong or aren’t these instructors there to TEACH us??? Or are they there to degrade us for not already knowing what we are there to learn? Overall I love the theory and practice of iyengar but my first class at this studio was terribly boring… Basically we did 5 poses total over 90 minutes which is normal for iyengar because they explain and teach you ever detail of the pose. But this instructor just seemed to like the sound of her voice and really wasn’t teaching us much. I tried a second class and decided to do a level 2 since the level 1 was underwhelming. I called ahead to see if this was ok to move fwd and they said yes… But when I got there & meet the instructor she was rude and told me that I should not do a level 2… But given that I was already there & it was an hour until the next level 1 class she let me participate. Another student (a tv celebrity) joined class & said it was her first level 2… All through class the instructor continued to point out reasons why I should not be there. Not once did she pick on the celebrity for needing help with a head stand or the props needed for a pose. She singled me out all through class. I did a third class (level 1) and was just as underwhelmed as the first time. So basically the level 2 classes can be amazing IF your instructor isn’t trying to embarrass you. After the second class I emailed the studio to ask for a referral to an instructor that would be more accommodating. The reply just said take any level 1. Not very helpful.

Would not let me reschedule course, even though I had just paid and scheduled it in the past few hours. Lost all money.

I have recently started to take class here to educate myself as a yoga teacher. I was trained in Vinyasa and I was always a true devotee of vinyasa till I found Iyengar, I love its preciseness and attention to detail and amazing array of props that come very handy. I have been to 3 different 1 level teachers and they all are different but it is great to sum up their comments on the poses to get a better picture of each one. If you think that your experience with, for example Vinaysa is helpful. It is helpful but i wouldn’t venture to level 2 till you got level 1 down.
What it is great about them they have free Friday sutra studies class (it is on the summer break now) where we all read particular sutra and discuss it. I was looking for smth like for a very long time!

Thank you for two wonderful years of practice!
My life path has taken me away from NYC and I will truly miss this lovely studio and all the dedicated, thoughtful people who teach there.

I stumbled upon this place about a year after being diagnosed with a chronic spinal condition and am glad I did. The Iyengar Yoga Institute of Greater NY offers high quality teaching for a relatively reasonable cost.
The quality of instruction is unparalleled. All the teachers are excellent and really know their stuff. The information and knowledge gained is so incredible and thorough that I rush to take notes on everything right after each class. I like to refer to this place as «Harvard University for yoga». Having studied many different styles of yoga for the past 7 years, I must say Iyengar yoga takes the lead.
There are so many amazing teachers, I don’t know where to start but here goes: Lara Brunn, James Murphy, Tori Milner, Naghmeh Ahi, Bobby Clennell, Adam Vitolo, Dmitri Shapira, Brooke Meyers… brilliant teaching with a balance of humor and understanding of how to work with students with chronic conditions/​injuries. The Thursday afternoon Specific Needs class is great and highly recommended for anyone dealing with an injury, acute or chronic, flare up etc. The only problem is that they don’t have all the amazing equipment at the institute available for purchase:(The onsite bookstore is a nice concept but I’ve found they didn’t always have the books I want to buy in stock.
Great Sunday workshop series with a nice balance of topics relevant to the population.
While the price for an individual class may be a bit steep, the courses, reduced fee classes with annual membership, introductory 3-​pack class card for new students, and 5 class card options make this place a decent bang for your buck.

This place is pricey.
But the facilities are gorgeous, they have tons of equipment (you don’t need to bring anything), and the instructors I’ve had have been top-​notch.
So yes they charge… but they deliver.

I am new to yoga and tried a several different types and studios without really loving it. After finding Iyengar Yoga at the IY institute in Chelsea, i’m pretty sure i’ll be practicing Yoga for the rest of my life.
I’ve been regularly attending classes here for about 7 weeks and it is amazing. The first class i went to was only ok. Even though that particular teacher had a following, I didn’t really jive with her style, and almost didn’t go back. But i had bought a pack of 3 classes so i had to. I’m so glad I did. The next class i went to was taught by Michelle who knows so much about the body and every time she adjusted me, it was like a revelation of new feeling. She recommended that i attend the special needs class because i have an injury.
My mom who has taken classes here too really likes it. She usually does Integral Yoga but says when she takes classes at the IY institute, she feels like her posture improves and her chest opens up, staying in that state for a few days after the class!
Anyway, many of the teachers i’ve worked with here are great. They really know a lot about the body and are attentive to way your particular body works. The classes are on the pricey side ($ 22/​class) but i think it’s worth it since i get so much out of each class. If i had more money, i would take classes here every day.