st marks yoga

By: Nancy Blumenthal
Edited date: December 13, 2023Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

St marks yoga | I was mulling over ideas in my head how to start this article.

Then when I was leaving class the other day, I followed two young men out the front door. One turned to the other and said, It’s not really a work out; it’s an experience.

The words I heard, summed it up.

More Than Just a Workout

Besides getting a great workout, you get a mini spa treatment, therapy session, and meditative bliss. All in one short hour!

The Yoga to the People Class Experience

The yoga to the people class starts with stressed out New Yorkers crammed next to each other in a no-frills environment.

The first time I went, I was a little put off by the crowd. But after about the third class, I became addicted.

A Journey Through the Poses

The class starts slow in child’s pose focusing on your breath and connecting with your body. Then the first collective breath:

Empty your air out, take a deep breath in, exhale with a vibrational breath HA or Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

There is smooth transitional movement and the pace builds up gradually: down dog, forward fold, mountain pose.

The Intensity and Joy of Movement

Then the fun begins: warrior one, warrior two, reverse warrior, side angle, binds, crescent lunge, and power lunge among others.

And always three sets of chair pose.

Which I fear and look forward to at the same time. In between the hard work, more collective breaths.

Deepening the Practice with Half Pigeon

After the moving sequences, there is half pigeon.

This is a pose about completely letting go while using the breath to open up the hip.

Balancing Hard Work and Release

Then we continue: a series of back and forward bends pausing for breaths in between.

Hard work is alternated with release.

A Profound Ending

At the end of class, you have worked really hard and feel great. The body feels this great release. You can revel in this release.

And then you get a quote, a breath, and the ringing of the Tibetan singing bowl plus savasana. The quote is profound. The last collective breath is the best – emptying, inhaling, and exhaling.

The bowl sound has this intense vibration.


At the end of class, you have worked really hard and feel great. The body feels this great release. You can revel in this release.

And then you get a quote, a breath, and the ringing of the Tibetan singing bowl plus savasana. The quote is profound.

The last collective breath is the best – emptying, inhaling, and exhaling. The bowl sound has this intense vibration.

The Final Savasana: Achieving Nirvana

The final savasana is like nirvana. The body is completely open and the mind is still.

Leaving in Tranquil Silence

Everyone is quiet leaving the place, still feeling the trance.

You don’t really need to talk to anyone. You have communicated by breathing together and doing the class.

What an experience!


Hours: 7am10 pm
ScheduleMap MEIGFB

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12 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003, United States
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