Monday, July 19, 2010

Fitness Class Review: Yoga Agora

So, I was making the rounds of NYC boroughs this weekend! You may have seen my post yesterday about our walk through Brooklyn Heights on Saturday and then yesterday I met my friend Grace in Astoria for yoga. I'm really liking this Sunday morning yoga routine. (Next weekend I'm headed back to Lululemon).

Not too long ago, Yoga Agora opened not far from Grace's apartment. She noticed all classes are $5 (aside from one class daily that is donation based) and knew we had to try it. I was definitely up for it so I made my way to Astoria, Queens on the N train for a 75minute Power Vinyasa class yesterday morning.

The class was hard. Straight from the beginning, it was hard. Our teacher had us holding poses and focusing on one side for quite a long time, and even though it was already well over 80 degrees outside and their large floor to ceiling windows were wide open, my muscles were not quite ready for that yet! The large windows were wide open, which was nice when a breeze came through and added a calming ambiance, until a large truck went by on the street below and distracted me from the practice. It always takes me a bit of time to adjust to yoga and get my mind to really focus on the practice rather than the various thoughts that usually clog my mind. The street noise didn't help much.



The space is somewhat small - there were about 9 people in class but I think it could fit about 15 comfortably, which lends itself to small classes on a regular basis, which can be nice. The teacher walked through the room and corrected gently postures which I, personally, appreciate. About two-thirds of the way through the class we started to slow down a bit and focused on balancing, which I needed and enjoyed.

Overall, I felt like it was a difficult, but good, class and it is definitely a good deal for a yoga class in this city! It's very easy to get to - right off the Broadway stop in Astoria on the N line. Grace and I stopped by a busy restaurant full of brunch goers for iced coffee and a bowl of fruit to catch up a bit after class. It was a great start to my Sunday!

Studio Info:
Yoga Agora
33rd and Broadway, Astoria, Queens
718.626.0680
Power Vinyasa classes daily
Class: $5
Mat Rental: $1
Water: $1
All classes are 75 minutes (aside from 60minute donation based classes)

What was the highlight of your weekend?
************
workout stats -
13.5miles bike
2miles walk/jog intervals
3x10 cable pull twists
3x10 leg press
3x10 glute kickbacks
3x10 hip abductions
3x10 weighted side bends
3x10 squats
foam roller & stretching

7 comments:

Julie @ Pickley Pear said...

Yoga is a great way to start a Sunday! $5 is a great deal. Glad you enjoyed the class!

Jocelyn said...

Sounds like a fun class! $5 bucks? Heck yes

Robyn @ WannabeWriterRunner said...

What a steal! Glad you had fun. It's nice to change it up too.

Ellen@FirednFabulous said...

Ohh what an awesome deal! I go to yoga classes at my gym (NYSC), but sometimes I crave that yoga studio environment. I need to try this one!

hbobier said...

I love yoga--I'm recently obsessed. And $5/class is awesome. Wish my classes were that cheap!!

RunToTheFinish said...

i really have found that I love yoga, but I don't like holding poses for a long time that for some reason isn't as mellowing for me

Walter Tully said...

That's a great deal, Lisa. I wish my yoga classes would be that cheap as well! I enrolled in yoga because of my cousin. He is a yoga instructor in our local Glendale fitness center in Colorado. He'd often invite me to attend his classes in various fitness centers in Glendale for free. At first, it was so hard for me to catch up and balance my body, but I fell in love with yoga over time. And I've been practicing yoga ever since.

Have fun and enjoy the classes!!