Now that the good weather invites us to step outside and do everything outdoors, it’s the perfect moment to leave behind the typical yoga studios, head outside, connect with the surroundings, and practice this mental, physical, and spiritual discipline in unique places all across New York. And with good vibes and batteries fully charged, we’ll be ready to explore one of the most visited cities in the world. Now then, let’s get started!
Yoga in a baseball temple
Yes, it’s possible to find inner peace among popcorn, peanuts, and home runs. Baseball and yoga enthusiasts alike can enjoy their own little paradise on the grass of the Mets’ Citi Field stadium, thanks to the classes organized by Steph Armijo. The 60-minute session includes admission to that evening’s game, and the first 500 people to sign up receive a free custom Mets yoga mat.
Yoga pop-up
If you’re always on the move, Spot Yoga offers a different plan with each session, since every class takes place in a unique location across the city. A hotel rooftop, a daytime nightclub, or a loft in the Lower East Side are just some of the spaces where this company surprises its loyal followers.
Yoga and silence in a church
Is there a better place to find inner zen? St. Bart’s Church offers yoga classes in true speakeasy style—clandestine and fun. To join, you enter through the back door, tell the doorman your intentions without hesitation, and head straight to class. The cost is a donation that goes directly to two causes—chosen from the heart—by the instructor.
The yoga trail in Central Park
Chosen by Time Out NY as the best outdoor yoga in the city, this zen experience takes place in a clearing near West 69th Street in Manhattan’s most famous park. The meeting point is a Le Pain Quotidien bakery located at the northern end of Sheep Meadow.
In a park in Brooklyn or Harlem
Starting June 3, the New York Restoration Project—an NGO dedicated to transforming open spaces into green, community-driven, and sustainable areas in the city—offers yoga classes in gardens and parks across Brooklyn and Harlem. The sessions are free, family-friendly, and often end with a big picnic.
Yoga with views of the New York skyline
Both in Manhattan and Brooklyn, different wellness companies such as Yo Yoga and Clay Health Club make the most of the city’s surprisingly peaceful skyline to organize sessions that blend breathtaking views with the softened sounds of the streets below. It’s a perfect combination for both tourists and business professionals looking to reconnect with themselves by simply taking an elevator ride.
On Randall’s Island
On this island between Manhattan and Queens, right at the base of the 103rd Street Bridge, Randall’s Island Park Alliance offers free yoga every Tuesday at 6:30 pm through September.
Bryant Park
Join hundreds of New Yorkers each summer for a free Vinyasa session right in the heart of Bryant Park, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. When? Every Tuesday morning and Thursday evening until September 22. If you arrive early, you’ll also get a free yoga mat.
In Times Square
The summer solstice is not only the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere but also an opportunity to take part in a free, global yoga class in Times Square. To join, all you need to do is register on the official list.
