Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
500 State St., btw. Nevins St. and Third Ave., Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. 718/875-8229. www.mro.org/irelotus . Subway: B/D/N/Q/R/2/3/4/5 to At-
lantic Ave./Pacific St.; 4/5 to Nevins St.; A/C/G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn.
Yoga, Tai Chi & More
Tai chi has been slow to gather momentum as a trend, but yoga is well entrenched as the aerobics of the new
millennium. Classes in these practices are surprisingly easy to find in New York parks, along with similar forms
of fitness. You can also find studios to work on your downward-facing dog for not too much scratch. It's a good
idea to wear comfortable clothing for these classes, and bring a mat or towel for yoga in the parks.
Battery Park City From 8:30 to 9:30am on most Fridays in summer (and into fall) you can get a master's
guidance in tai chi at Battery Park's Esplanade Plaza (at the end of Liberty St.). No experience necessary. The
season runs early May through October.
Battery Park City, along South End Ave., just west of West St. 212/267-9700. www.bpcparks.org . Subway: 1/2/3 or A/C to Chambers St.; 1 to
Rector St. or South Ferry; 4/5 to Bowling Green.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Torso stabilization is the goal here, in classes led by a fitness guru. The technique
is Pilates mat work, and all skill levels are welcome. Registration begins at 6:30pm on Tuesdays from mid-June
to mid-September. The class starts at 7pm, and space is limited. Check the website for information on Monday
morning yoga, Sunday afternoon Zumba, and Friday evening belly dance and hip-hop dance aerobics. The Pil-
ates are held on the Empire Fulton Ferry Boardwalk (moving to a tent in the Tobacco Warehouse in case of rain);
most other fitness classes are at Pier 1.
EmpireFultonFerryBoardwalk, near Old Dock St. and the East River. 718/802-0603. www.brooklynbridgepark.org . Subway: F to York St.; A/C
to High St. Pier 1, the East River at Old Fulton St. Subway: 2/3 to Clark St.; A/C to High St.
Bryant Park Bryant Park loans its central location to a host of activities, most notably Tuesday and
Thursday morning tai chi classes. The class is taught from 7:30 to 8:30am, May through September, so you can
focus your energy before punching the clock. If you're new to the practice, World Tai Chi Day might be the thing
for you. On the last Saturday in April, Bryant Park is the site of a day of classes and demonstrations. Thursday
evenings (6-7pm) May through September are dedicated to yoga. You can salute the setting sun and improve
your flexibility from the southwest corner of the lawn (mats are provided). Morning people can catch the Tues-
day yoga class from 10 to 11am. As an added bonus, you can take a knitting class ( 212/787-5896 ) on Tuesday
afternoons between 1:30 and 3pm in summer; yarn and needles are provided, and you might want to preregister
over the phone. Been on the fence about taking up fencing? Let the Manhattan Fencing Center tip the scales in
favor of passés with their free beginner lessons from 1 to 2pm Tuesdays, April through June.
Bryant Park, btw. 41st and 42nd sts., and Fifth and Sixth aves. 212/768-4242. www.bryantpark.org . Subway: B/D/F/M to 42nd St.; 7 to Fifth
Ave.
Dharma Yoga Brooklyn Receiving through giving is the economic plan for this Park Slope newcomer. A second-
floor studio hosts meditation, chanting, workshops, and classical yoga. The cost? That's up to you—sessions are
by donation, with a $5 minimum requested.
82 Sixth Ave., 2nd floor, at St. Marks Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn. 718/395-7632. www.dharmayogabrooklyn.com . Subway: 2/3 to Bergen St.;
B/Q to Seventh Ave.
lululemon athletica This Vancouver-born apparel store puts the free back in free-spirited with com-
plimentary Sunday morning classes. Stop by any of the six locations for an hour of prime posture edjimica-
tion—usually yoga, but also branching out into Pilates and CrossFit training. They'll even let you borrow a mat
(although if you choose to gear up, you won't have far to go). There are also free nighttime Central Park jogging
sessions (“the Run Club”), and yoga in Bryant Park (p. 177). Class times vary; check online for the latest.
1928 Broadway, at 64th St. 212/712-1767. www.lululemon.com . Subway: 1 to 66th St./Lincoln Center. Other locations: UpperWestSide, 2139
Broadway, btw. 75th and 76th sts. Subway: 1 to 79th St. UpperEastSide, 1127 Third Ave., at 66th St. 212/755-5019. Subway: F to 63rd St./
Lexington Ave.; 6 to 68th St./Hunter College. UpperEastSide, 1146 Madison Ave., at 85th St. 212/452-1909. Subway: 4/5/6 to 86th St. Union
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