There’s nothing quite like that feeling when you walk out of a Bikram yoga class: You’re totally sweaty and spent, but you feel renewed—and, dare we say it, a little bit buzzed?
If you’re not familiar with Bikram, it’s a series of 26 postures and two pranayama, or breathing, exercises done in a heated room. (Bikram's creator, Bikram Choudhury, left the United States in 2016 following a series of sexual assault charges, so many studios are taking his name off their class schedules, choosing to call the practice "traditional hot yoga," or something similar, instead.) While the moves may be the same, what sets one class apart from the next are the awesome, supportive, educational, and inspirational teachers at the studio.
Whether you’re new to traditional hot yoga or have an established practice, and whether you live in New York City or are visiting, we’re saving you from the need to drown in reviews: Here are a dozen great Bikram studios near you.
The studio says it opened as Manhattan’s first Bikram studio in 1999. They have four locations around the city: Flatiron, Midtown, and the Upper East and the Upper West Sides. Along with 60- and 90-minute Bikram, they also offer other styles, like Hot HIIT and Hot Bode Power Flow.
Four locations in Manhattan
Refresh with coconut water after class at this yoga studio in the Financial District, which offers Bikram and Dharma yoga. Also sign up for one of their urban meditation retreats to fully round out your self-care routine.
121 Fulton St., 3rd Floor, New York, New York, 10038
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This studio is rated highly on ClassPass because the instructors are welcoming, explain the postures well (without assuming that you’ve got it down), and are encouraging, which is key when your energy wanes in the heat. And, hey, the first two weeks are free.
5500 Broadway, Suite 2B, Bronx, New York, 10463
You won’t be intimidated in their “hot box.” First timers are in luck, because the intro week pass costs just $25, and allows you to take as many classes as you want. (An awesome perk when you’re learning the asanas, or postures.) If you’re looking for a one-off class, they hold two pay-what-you-want (donation only) classes per week.
518 W 145th St., 2nd Floor, New York City, 10031
They hold three to five Bikram classes each weekday (some as early as 6:30 a.m. and as late as 8:15 p.m.), as well as vinyasa or yin yoga styles if you’re looking to switch it up on occasion. Happy yogis here have said they’ve been transformed by the studio.
38-01 23rd Ave, 2nd Floor, Astoria, New York, 11105
What better way to shake off the stress of a day with a 90-minute Bikram at 8 p.m.? Plus, you can also round out your health needs with community acupuncture and other therapies (Bach Flower remedies, for instance), located right upstairs.
1120 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11225
With two Brooklyn locations, this new studio offers both full-time and part-time (five classes per month) memberships. Of course, if you’re a die-hard, you’ll want to sign up for unlimited classes, which will run you $159 per month.
Williamsburg: 20 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York, 11249
Greenpoint: 607 Manhattan Ave, Nassau, Brooklyn, New York, 11222
Located in Bay Ridge, this studio offers the traditional 90-minute Bikram, but also switches things up with their new offering: a 60-minute Bikram with music. Their instructors are all highly qualified and certified. They also have a killer competitive drop-in rate ($20 for a single class).
8302 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11209
Not up for lugging your mat to the studio today? Try one of these 8 at-home yoga flows. Or if restorative yoga is more your style, here are 3 poses that feel like a massage.
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