Yo Yoga!

I have never walked into a business in NYC and received as warm of a welcome as I did upon entering the Yo Yoga! studio. I walked (okay ran) into the studio cutting it very close to a Friday night class time. My friend and I, both first timers to the studio, were told to get in the class and worry about paying after. Unexpected and appreciated. The class itself was enjoyable and relaxing (the Friday PM candlelight class) — non-​intimidating instructor (and seemingly friendly classmates) put my first time jitters at ease. Will definitely be back — dying to try a rooftop class!

Originally found this studio through a Living Social deal and fell in love – with the studio and with yoga. I had only done yoga one time ten years ago and thought that I hated it. Now I realize that was because I hadn’t found the right studio/​instructors. I wanted to get into it to loosen up from all the running I do. This studio helped me learn the basics (in the appropriately named «basics» classes) and then move beyond that in the open-​level classes. The instructors made me feel comfortable and explained everything really well, but also challenged the more experienced yogis with advanced options for certain poses. (My friend who is a yoga instructor also enjoys attending open-​level classes here!) I was briefly lured away by a voucher for another yoga studio chain, but was actually looking forward to the voucher expiring so I could come back to Yo Yoga!
Great place for anyone at any experience level. There is often music during class, which is great – really good songs and just the right volume. Also, the other people attending classes here all seem really cool and chill – no arguments about studio temperature or mat space. Overall, a fantastic studio that made me fall in love with yoga! Highly recommend Rebecca and Stephanie.

I just had my first class and loved it here! Great vibe and everyone seems really down to earth. The class was exactly what I needed today so I’m so happy I signed up for the new student monthly unlimited.
I live nearby so no locker room is a non issue for me. I would recommend to come to class changed. They have cute little cubbies for your things, props, a clean studio and mat rentals. Can’t wait for my next session!

So much for the zen of yoga…
Was one minute late, literally, one minute, 60 seconds and buzzed up. No answer. Buzzed for 10 MINUTES no answer. Have to pay a classpass fee for the studio not having anyone at the desk is really obnoxious. No thanks.

Let me just start by saying, I love this place. It makes me happy to go and I actually look forward to my classes (I am not one of those blessed people who actually love working out, so that should tell you something). The dirty details:
It’s on the third floor of a walk-​up, you have to ring the bell to get through the second door. Shoes off outside the door and there are cubbies and coat hangers near the entrance to store your stuff. There’s a small waiting area with some seats and magazines and there are usually a have always been friendly and courteous, without any pretense.
I’ve been to the Basics class several times. I’m actually not that much of a beginner (at least in my own opinion), but it’s at 8pm, which gives me just enough time to get home and change after work, and sometimes I just don’t feel like doing a crazy workout but want to do something. I’ve only been to Ashley’s classes, and I really like her teaching style and attitude. So much so that I intentionally go back to her classes. Each class is different, but starts with some stretching, and then a few relatively slow and simple sequences. She uses different props each time — blocks, straps, blankets. In each of my classes there’s been at least one person who has never taken a yoga class before, and they’ve been able to keep up while the more advanced students have simply gotten a deeper stretch. Ashley is great at explaining the moves as you go through them and makes ample corrections as needed. She’s also really good about helping students to get a deeper stretch in various positions. To me, the Basics classes are what I wish candlelight or relaxation classes. I always leave feeling a little looser and much better.
The facilities themselves are fairly simple; the stairway is a little run down but the studio is clean and nice. I’ve been visiting Yo Yoga through ClassPass; the facilities don’t compare to some of the new state-​of-​the-​art fitness studios that I’ve visited, but you don’t go here for that. What they lack in free hair ties, smoothie bars, and scented lotion, they more than make up for with charm, great teachers who care, and a sense of community.

I came to this studio via classpass. Yes, I’m one of those! Let’s make one thing clear– I hated yoga. I am super inflexible and have a tough time sitting still! I am a runner and knew that yoga is something I really needed to introduce to my routine. Yo yoga is so different than any studio I have been to before. The space is not «top of the line» or upscale– but that adds to the charm. A souped out yoga studio is nothing if the staff is rude and unwelcoming. Everyone at yo yoga (including the class participants) are so sweet and welcoming.
I take classes with Stephanie. Stephanie is the kindest person. You can really see her inner beauty shine through in her instruction, practice and smile. Stephanie says «smile! This is yoga. It’s supposed to be fun». I wish EVERY studio had this attitude. When I take classes at yo yoga I am challenged and can leave leave feeling stronger and refreshed. I can even touch my toes now :) ! yo yoga has completely changed my whole outlook on the practice of yoga.
A million stars to the studio and to Stephanie as an instructor.

I have taken several classes here over the years– ((and yes it went from $ 12 to $ 20 :(Lets blame the landlord.))
And I love the sense of community– When I went often the teachers remembered me and made me feel welcome.
The space is OKAY– better than ishta uptowns space.
One review complained about Amanda in the candlelight class– I loved Amanda and that class is soothing and comforting and meant to be at a slower pace with no standing posing. Perfect end to the weekend.
RECENTLY I took that Candle class with Nichelle– I LOVE LOVE LOVE HER! The class was a great stretch and soothing but what I loved most was what she was saying in the whole class is everything I needed to hear. And her playlist was amazing — lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
Thanks Yo Yoga!

I am new to yoga, but have traveled all throughout Manhattan for the last 3 yrs, looking for a studio that would welcome me into the Yoga world. Time and time again, I’ve been to studios staffed with over pretentious yogis who couldn’t care less about their students growth/​progress or studios stocked with newbies who give poor instructions. That said, Yo Yoga exceeded all that I could have ever wanted in a yoga studio. The staff, everyone from Lauren (the receptionist) to Nichelle (my instuctor) were incredibly kind and professional. I have injured my ankle many times in the past, making it very difficult for me to maintain certain poses in yoga. But with that, Nichelle was able to modify poses to accommodate these injuries, and after class she advised me on how I can strengthen my ankles through yoga.
The ambiance in this studio was immaculate, cozy, and warm. No one (not the staff nor the students) was competitive, nor judgmental. I felt so comfortable in this haven, and the classes were small enough that we could receive a lot of attention from the instructor. They also have plenty of equipment/​props for each student, and if you forget your mat at home — like I did— they will provide you with a mat rental for a very small fee. Did I mention, they have a ROOFTOP! Anyhow, loved this place, its people, and I can’t wait to go back for another class. I will definitely be incorporating Yo Yoga’s classes into my weekly exercise routine.

I have been to many manhattan yoga studios and it’s always refreshing to find a place where the staff seem truly interested in getting to know you and your practice. Everyone here is just so nice and welcoming. All of the instructors are wonderful, but I love love LOVE Rebecca’s (the owner) classes. She gives excellent directions that really make the class more fun, accessible, and challenging in the best way possible. The roofdeck is also lovely, especially for these beautiful summer nights.

I like the way this place was not too crowded. I hate being packed in a room like a can of sardines you know? I hate it when I can’t see the instructor either, so this place was good.
The instructor was good– she came to correct my poses. I tend to turn out my feet for no reason, or just screw up poses in my own creative way, so it was great to have some attention from the instructor.
This place also has a roofdeck where you can do yoga!

This «Yo Yoga» studio is way over hyped…
I had a «Relaxation Candle Light Yoga Class» with Amanda, which apparently no one else has had on this Unilocal page. To put it briefly there was very very very very very little yoga actually done. In regards to the poses that we did for this class, we did only a few «classic» yoga poses (cat/​cow, child, lizard, relaxation). So, quite obviously this was one of the most boring classes ever.
Not to mention, we never even got on our feet, not once in this class, no warrior poses, no downward dog, no upward dog, no cobra, no plank, no triangle… we pretty much lied on our backs and moved around on our knees…(30−45 minutes on your knees is not something I would recommend, unless you find yourself on your knees a lot during your free time). At the end of the class, the yoga instructor did not even rub lavender oil on every person there… BIAS. Lavender oil being rubbed on your shoulder is one of the best parts of yoga, and this instructor skipped me and my girlfriend… RUDE
Our instructor also did not provide any alternatives to any poses she put us in and no personal attention was provided whatsoever. For example, she had us lie on our fore arms under our backs, when obviously not everyone has the shoulder flexibility to do this. I literally felt like my joints were going to pop out if I did the stretches as she literally instructed, thankfully I am not stupid and know my own limits, but I worry about people that take her words as gospel as they will definitely hurt themselves
All in All:
— Class was too slow
— The class was not challenging what so ever
— The instructor was not knowledgeable about yoga in the least
— I did not break a sweat
— I paid $ 20 to have someone tell me how to stretch (very uncomfortably I might add)
— There was no personal attention given to anyone in the class.
NEVER COMING BACK, maybe I will… but not with this instructor…

I just took two classes here and one workshop. Excellent place! Intimate atmosphere, pleasant, clean and the classes aren’t crowded (10 – 12 people). And a big plus is that the studio practices convenient prices (A 10 lesson package is $ 100)

Went here yesterday and it was awesome! Very clean and quiet and the class was very small. Would come back for sure.

Holy Shiva, but I couldn’t believe I was in a Manhattan yoga studio.
There’s:
–no cramming ‘em in
–no competitive yogis around you trying to out-​Chattarunga a bitch (really, such a nice yoga community!)
–individualized attention from a teacher who challenges you (but is also cool if you need to collapse into a child’s pose at any moment)
–an airy yet cozy studio
–approachable staff who can focus their eyes on you and your practice (sometimes a NY yogini can seem like she is on another planet. I get it. Believe me, I do. Hard to be zen in a city like NY without eventually becoming one with the enlightening beings on Venus in order to cope, y’know?).
Oh and Gail is an awesome teacher. Gotta give props where props are due (and yes, they have an array of props for you to use, if you need ‘em). I love her Friday evening candlelight flow class!
Love all around. Makes me want to move to the Mid-​East side like nothing ever has before.

I love, love, love this place! I’ve been practicing yoga for about three years now, and this is by the far best studio I’ve ever been to. It’s small and intimate, and kinda feels like a little yoga family. The people who work here may be some of the nicest people you will ever meet in Manhattan. They make an effort to learn everyone’s name and incorporate them into they Yo Yoga family. I love how this studio teaches great technique but never takes itself too seriously. My practice has gotten so much stronger since I joined in May.
Two favorite instructors: Claire & Rebecca. Claire has an amazing energy and teaches an active, engaging class, interspersed with jokes and good music. Rebecca (also the owner) has really improved my technique. She gives fantastic instruction and typically throws in some crazy new pose I’ve never heard of. Love them!

I’m an on-​again, off-​again practitioner of yoga (I wouldn’t presume to call myself a yogi), and I found Yo Yoga! after making an impulsive Groupon purchase for a month of unlimited yoga classes here.
During my month, I came to the studio a few times to take open level classes with a number of instructors. Each had a different style, but I enjoyed all the classes. There are blankets, blocks, and yoga straps are all available in the studio. It’s a relatively small studio (just the one room), and I unfortunately didn’t get to experience the outdoor classes as it was already October/​November. But it’s clean, and all the staff are very friendly and accommodating.
Matt rentals and water are $ 1 each, I believe, and all classes are just $ 12 each. By Manhattan standards, I think that’s quite affordable. If I lived/​worked closer, I’d come back. But I may have to go back when it gets warmer to experience the outdoor classes. I’d recommend Yo Yoga! to anyone looking for a place to practice in the neighborhood.

If you are just looking to get a good yoga practice in without spending a ton, this place is perfect. I took and Open level class and it was pretty tough, but the teacher made sure to offer plenty of options for those who needed them. Judging by what the other reviewers say, the classes vary greatly depending on which teacher you get. The windows in the studio open right onto the Queensboro Bridge, but the noise was not as bad as I thought it would be.
Classes are cheaper than at other studios in the area and you definitely don’t get any frills, but I’m not into yoga for the frills. We were asked to put our stuff on shelves by the front desk. I was a bit concerned about the lack of lockers, but they swore to me that someone would be there at all times to guard.
I’m looking forward to going in the spring/​summer when they hold their classes outside on the roof.

It’s a little bit of a hike to get there, but it’s an easy, gem of a small studio. I had Arianna at 1 p.m. I would go back for their rooftop classes for sure in the summer.

This was not only my first visit to Yo Yoga! but also of of my first yoga class experiences, and I am so happy I made the decision to come here. Yo Yoga is right around the corner from my apartment so I pass by it all the time. The sign that says $ 12 a class really caught my eye.
Yeah, I belong to a gym, but the big yoga classes there kinda intimidate me… so a small, friendly, yoga studio was just the perfect thing for me. For my first class, I had Alie in a basics class. She was really nice, and very attentive. I felt pushed but not in a bad way. I am planning on coming back for more, as I feel super great right now and would like to keep the momentum up! :)

Yo Yoga is a great studio for all levels of yoga lovers. Rebecca and Kennedy are friendly and helpful business owners.
All classes are $ 12 or much less if you get a package.
I highly recommend to anyone getting back into yoga or starting out. Very relaxed and no attitude place. Teachers of open level classes are good at accessing the crowd and structuring the class to the group.
My favorite teachers: Rebecca, Alyssa, Gail (Level ²⁄₃ Sundays at 2 pm), Claire
Warm weather roof top yoga is the best.