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4 Hot New Group Exercise Classes to Try

Moksha

Moksha makes you sweat!

4. Moksha Yoga NYC. My muscles were tired and sore from a week of new classes and training, so I thought some hot yoga would help my poor, tired hamstrings. Moksha Yoga is a brand of “hot yoga” that has many elements of the trendy Bikram yoga that’s worshiped by svelte celebrities like Rebecca Romijn (hot room, strength-building poses, etc.), but is far less strict.

According to its website, Moksha Yoga (which originated in Canada and counts members of the band Arcade Fire as founders!) are a “group of independent hot yoga studios committed to ethical, compassionate and environmentally conscious living and believe the benefits of yoga are limitless and accessible to all.”

Not only can classes be of any length of time (versus only 90 minutes for Birkam) but also you can sip water whenever you want (rather than wait for a cue from the instructor) and leave the room should you need to for any reason (I can’t imagine someplace I am not allowed to leave!). Seeing that I get anxious under super-strict conditions, my thinking was that Moksha Yoga just might be my cup of tea.

And it was! My class was a fantastic (albeit sweaty) good time, and I am so happy to have ended my week-long fitness journey in such a serene environment. If you are intrigued by hot yoga but not sure about the full-on Bikram experience, give Moksha a go!

What to expect: The room is hot, VERY hot. Like riding-the-subway-in-August-with-no-air-conditioning hot, so be sure to bring plenty of water and a towel with you. There are several classes you can take there, including the basic Moksha in 60-, 75- or 90-minute classes (fit for everyone from beginners to seasoned yogis,) Moksha Flow (faster pace with more movement between poses), Hot Yin (holding poses for 3 to 5 minutes at a time) and Yang Yin that focuses mainly on balance.

What you’ll need: Water (!), a towel and your best intentions for a fun, sweaty good time.

How much? There are all sorts of price plans depending on your needs — from individual classes ($20) up to yearly memberships ($1,299).

Where to find it: Moksha Yoga studios are opening across the U.S. and Canada — hooray! The New York City studio is located at 434 6th Avenue (corner of West 10th Street).

 

Have you been to any of these studios before? Which is your favorite? What new classes are you dying to try in New York or in your area? —Margo

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