Tag Archives: yoga

Bikram Yoga East Harlem needs our help

Posted on November 27, 2012 | 3 comments

Last night, I learned for the first time via Experience Harlem that Bikram Yoga East Harlem, located at 4 East 116th Street, had been closed for a few weeks due to several challenges. It came as a complete surprise. As I finished reading the information, I immediately thought, I must share this information. Other Harlemites would want to know and will be very concerned, like I am (I love and practice yoga) when they learn of the struggles of Bikram Yoga East Harlem. In my view, yoga centers are an important resource for the community, similar to other places that allow you to work on you, and are a strong community partner in Harlem.

Below is the communication explaining Bikram Yoga East Harlem’s situation and why they need our help.

Dear Bikram Yoga East Harlem Family and Friends:

In this season, where we take the time to reflect on all that we are thankful for, we at BYEH wanted to reach out and first say “Thank You” for your commitment to your “Self” and your belief in us over the past 4 years.

It was a dream of my sister, Jennifer, and I to bring some healing to the amazing Harlem community that we grew up in. To give back to the place that gave us so much culture, spirit, energy, sense of family and belonging all of our lives.

It was our goal to reach out and try to help as many people as possible through the offering of Bikram Yoga in the same way it has helped our own lives…body, mind and spirit for many, many years.

We are both proud and humbled by what our small, family run studio has been able to accomplish in such a short time and remain hopeful about what we can continue to do in the future…

…however we have come to the harsh reality that “it takes a village”.

We Need Your Help

Many of you are already aware that we were forced to shut our doors on November 19th. Our building owner’s refusal to negotiate with us resulted in the sudden closure.

Like the yoga itself, BYEH has been a labor of love and a challenge from the very beginning. From opening our doors in 2008, in the middle of a great recession, to being back-billed in 2011 by Con Edison for an amount of over $40,000 due to their erroneously estimating our bills for over 2 years,we have continuously struggled to survive to keep Bikram Yoga accessible to our community.

Our Community Classes, 10 for $10 offers, competitively priced class packages and numerous sales have helped many experience and enjoy the healing benefits of Bikram Yoga who might not have been able to otherwise.

We want to continue serving our community…but we can’t do it without you.

Help us re-open Bikram Yoga East Harlem
by December 3rd, 2012

We humbly ask that you

Click Here To Make A Karma Contribution Now

No amount is too small….or too large.
(For amounts over $2,500 we would be happy to discuss share secured loan options. Please contact Stephanie at 917-434-3444 to discuss.)

We thank each and every one of you, in advance, for your support!

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Posted in business, Harlem, health and wellness

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Is Jado Sushi in Harlem starting off in the community on the wrong foot?

Posted on June 6, 2012 | 35 comments

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It has been really fun and exciting lately to blog about some of the recent openings happening in Harlem, such as The Corner Social, Harlem Food Bar and Frederick Cafe Bistro. All these places have opened with such positive fanfare and the management behind these establishments are a delight to work with. However, there is one dining establishment on Frederick Douglass Blvd that is getting ready to open and I am finding it difficult to rave about. I am contemplating not evening dining there. Why? You may or may not know that there’s been an ongoing conflict between the owner of Jado Sushi, which is located in The Douglass Condo retail space (2118 FDB), and the owner of Land Yoga, which has been established in The Douglass for almost a year now and is Jado’s neighbor to the right.

According to online reports, Land Yoga in Harlem has been respectfully asking Jado Sushi, which is owned by the same person who owns The Winery on 116th Street, to kindly sound proof the restaurant so that it does not affect the environment of the yoga studio. Those multiple requests to Jado Sushi have been ignored to date, according to Land Yoga. HarlemGal Inc contacted The Winery asking for comment about Land Yoga’s request to sound proof and they did not respond.

Another reason I am blogging about this now is ’cause multiple readers have asked, why have you not mentioned anything about Jado Sushi in Harlem on your blog? Well, this is why. I am aware of the conflict going on between Jado and Land Yoga in Harlem.

For conversation sake, I have even asked Harlem business owner(s) about this and most have informally commented it is the responsibility of Jado Sushi  to sound proof the place since they are coming into a retail area that has already been established, apartments above the Jado space will more than likely complain about the noise below so it’s best to sound proof now rather than later and its the politically correct thing to do. Most of the businesses on FDB support each other. Yesterday, I read that the owner of Melba’s stopped by Harlem Food Bar recently to show her support. That’s classy!

Personally, I am not clear on why Jado Sushi would not want to sound proof the place now versus wait until later like when more complaints potentially come in or this get’s escalated into a potential legal matter. Then again, maybe it’s not Jado’s responsibility to sound proof their place or is it? Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? Should Jado Sushi in Harlem sound proof its place to accommodate Land Yoga?

And as for dining at Jado Sushi, at the moment I don’t want to even think about going there when it opens knowing this conflict is nowhere near a resolution and that I might be interrupting someone’s yoga practice-if Jado is not sound proofed. It doesn’t feel right as a long time practicing yogi. That’s another reason why I can’t get excited about this place and starting to believe that Jado Sushi just might be starting off in Harlem on the wrong foot leading to an uneventful opening.

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Posted in business, Community, Corner Social, drinks, entertainment, food, Frederick Cafe Bistro Harlem, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Harlem, Harlem Food Bar, health and wellness, Melba's Restaurant Harlem, New York, New York City, NYC, restaurant row, restaurants

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Harlem Yoga Studio featured on ABC News

Posted on October 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

Congrats to Harlem Yoga Studio!  Their full figure yoga class was featured on ABCNews.com recently. The news piece basically explains that full figure women CAN DO yoga and that’s it’s not just for women with a small body frame. The ABC News reporter and Harlem Yoga Studio instructor explain it in simple terms.

By the way, Harlem Yoga Studio’s full figure class is  offered on Saturday’s at 44 West 125th Street. It’s “adapted for the larger, curvier adult or teen” where “classic postures are adapted to be comfortable and accessible for larger bodies.”

Check out the video here.

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Posted in 125th Street, Community, Harlem, health and wellness

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Harlem yoga happenings for September

Posted on September 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

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There are several exciting yoga events happening in the month of September in Harlem. Some events are as simple and important as the release of a new Fall schedule or an introduction to a traditional Indian medical system known as Ayurveda.

20110906-123851.jpg Harlem Yoga Studio, located at 44 West 125th Street, has implemented their Fall yoga schedule, which includes more yoga classes for adults and children. In addition, Harlem Yoga Studio will continue to offer free outdoor yoga through September on Saturday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Target East Community Garden, located at 117th Street between 1st Ave and Pleasant Avenue.

At Land Yoga on Frederick Douglass Blvd and 114th Street, they will be offering an introduction to Ayurveda on Friday, September 9 from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. The workshop will examine simple remedies that will help promote calmness and ease from stress especially during the fall season. To attend this workshop, register here.

On September 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Land Yoga is also hosting An Evening of Bharata Natyam performed by Jaan R. Freeman. Bharata Natyam is the most popular of the classical dance of India. To attend this event, the cost of admittance is $20 for adults, and $16 for seniors and students with valid ID. Email landyoga@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

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Posted in 125th Street, Community, Events, Frederick Douglass Blvd., Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, personal care

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Harlem Yoga Studio presents Shaking Spirit Waves 5Rhythms

Posted on July 13, 2011 | 2 comments

Harlem Yoga Studio, located at 44 West 125th Street has added on an interesting and unique class to their schedule. Starting today, July 14, and every Thursday, Harlem Yoga Studio is offering Shaking Spirit Waves 5Rhythms (R) at 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, The 5Rhythms is a movement based meditation. There are no dance steps or choreography. The class is designed to allow you to simply move to be moved.

Tonight’s class is the first ever class in Harlem according to Kierra, the instructor. So check it out come and shake yourself free in the Shaking Spirit Waves class Thursdays 5:30 to 6:45 at Harlem Yoga Studio. To get there, take trains: 2, 3 to 125th & Lenox or A, B, C, or D train to 125th & St. Nick.

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC

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Shop farmers market and practice yoga in Harlem

Posted on July 8, 2011 | 2 comments

Friends of Morningside Park, Community Markets and Land Yoga are putting the tag terms, health and wellness, community and grocery shopping in action. This weekend (July 9th) they are starting outdoor yoga in Morningside Park. From 4 to 5 pm, you can practice yoga under the big blue Harlem sky with Lara from Land Yoga at the 110th St and Manhattan Ave entrance. This free class will be held at the same time every week, weather permitting. So bring your own mat and dristi (focus) to the park.

And also bring your grocery list! The Morningside Farmers Market opens at 9 am sharp!

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Free!, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC, shopping

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Registration open for Land Yoga adult classes in Harlem

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

May 20, 2011 @ 11:45
By HarlemGal
Our fellow yogi Lara Land gave us the heads up that Land Yoga, located at 2116 Frederick Douglass Blvd., is now open for registration for adult ashtanga classes. If you’re interested like I am, you can register at Land Yoga Shop before June 16th for the early bird special.

Not sure what yoga classes to sign up for? No worries. There is a partial schedule listed here. There you can find what classes will be offered to start!

And want to meet Lara Land, head on over to Nectar Wine Bar today (May 20). She is participating in Parents and Pinot from 4 PM-7 PM at 2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

For more information on Land Yoga, check out their Facebook page. Om, shanti, shanti, om. Namaste!

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Posted in business, Community, Events, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC

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Harlem Yoga Studio makes 125th street hOMe

Posted on July 5, 2011 | 1 comment

May 12, 2011 @ 7:15

By HarlemGal
The wonderful and dedicated teachers over at Harlem Yoga Studio gave us the heads up recently that they have a new hOMe on West 125th Street. If you recall, they use to be located at 119th and Lenox Ave in a nice size corner brownstone. Fast forward to today, Harlem Yoga Studio classes are now on the third floor of 20110511-111445.jpg
44 West 125 Street between Lenox and Fifth Ave. This new space offers plenty of room for yogis to practice their sun salutations, warrior pose or downward dog, etc. right in the heart of Harlem.

In addition to the move, Harlem Yoga Studio is updating their class schedule to include new adult classes, and many more Vinyasa, YogaTone, Prenatal, Full Figured Yoga, Donation Only Community Classes, Pilates, Kids and Family classes, and more! Check out their website for exact class details.

And in honor of the new location, Harlem Yoga Studio is offering FREE Yoga outside starting this coming Saturday, May 14. Every Saturday from May 14 through September at 11 AM Harlem Yoga Studio will offer a FREE one hour yoga class at the Target East Harlem Community Garden located at 415-417 East 117th Street, between First and Pleasant Aves.

That’s not all, starting at the end of this month, Harlem Yoga Studio will be offering FREE yoga in Central Park at Harlem Meer. This sounds cool and awesome way to practice yoga!

Overall, there are plenty of options in Harlem for us Harlemites to either continue or start yoga practice!

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Posted in Community, education, Events, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC

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UPDATE: Land Yoga to offer Adventures in Yogaland, new Harlem studio opens June 16th

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Apr 14, 2011 @ 9:41

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By HarlemGal
Adventures in Yogaland, a mini-yogi summer camp for kid’s ages 3 and up, is coming to Harlem! And parents can sign up their children now by going to Land Yoga for kids. Discounts apply for those that sign up by May 1st! For those that want to practice yoga, Land Yoga will be opening in Harlem June 16th at 2110 Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Adventures in Yogaland offers a playful approach to yoga and it involves teaching children how to mimic the world around them by doing engaging, kid-friendly, exercises like moving their bodies in the shapes of plants and animals. Each week’s camp will feature a different yoga adventure, followed by a healthy snack and related art project. The main objective of Adventures in Yogaland is for children to have fun!

Adventures in Yogaland begins in South Harlem Tuesday, June 21st and runs for ten weeks through August, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 PM to 4:30 PM!

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Posted in business, Community, Events, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC

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Land Yoga lands in Harlem, studio to open up on Frederick Douglass Boulevard

Posted on July 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mar 30, 2011 @ 7:00

By HarlemGal
We received some wonderful and different news in our inbox yesterday! It’s generally real estate stuff in our inbox. We were informed that Land Yoga will be opening up a yoga studio at 2110 Frederick Douglass Blvd. The exact location is right next to Franz James Floral Boutique in The Douglass Condo.

Land Yoga in Harlem is expected to open in about two months. The space will include two private rooms and will offer adult classes as well as extensive children’s programing, including yoga mini camp this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-4:30 PM. Land Yoga is also seeking wellness practitioners in acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, or Alexander technique who are interested in subletting space in Central Harlem.

We were also informed by Land Yoga they are running for a very special grant opportunity that will support their dream to bring yoga to the Harlem community. They need 1,000 votes by this Thursday, March 31. To vote and support Land Yoga, text the word Land to 244326. There is no charge and no spam. Participants will receive two follow-up texts asking name and reasons for voting for this business. Participants must respond to these texts to finalize your vote.

If you want to “like” and learn more about Land Yoga, check out their Facebook page or better yet, learn about the yogi launching Land Yoga by clicking here!

Again, this is refreshing news. We couldn’t be more excited! Namaste!

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Posted in business, Community, Harlem, health and wellness, New York, New York City, NYC, real estate

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