Yoga Tribe Brooklyn — Local services in New York

I wish I had better to report. I sat with this for days and still feel inclined to leave this review for the below reasons. I am in NYC on business and found this studio close to my Air BNB. As a yoga instructor/practitioner and WOC, I was delighted to learn it was similarly owned and happy to invest in the week trial pass.

The studio itself is lovely, spacious, and on Monday the air was pleasantly scented with incense. The hot room feels a bit dry, during pranayama my nostrils burned and there didn't seem to be any means of humidification (note that the wildfire smoke issue did not arrive until Tuesday and the air quality was actually good in NYC on this day). The floor is also warped and after a few classes I still hadn't found a truly flat spot.

On Monday I took the 6:30 pm 60m 26&2, taught by Kate. Kate is a wonderful instructor with lovely voice and clear direction, and she is clearly committed to supporting the student body and growing as a teacher by asking for feedback. I had nothing but compliments to give and the energy in the room was high- overall a great experience. It was a delight to take her class and I regret not being able to make it to her 6:30am class on Thursday morning. 5 stars for Kate.

On Tuesday I was not so lucky. I took the 6:30pm 90m 26&2, the instructor of which I will not mention by name as I do not have much positive to say. The most egregious of her follies was to give HANDS ON ADJUSTMENTS WITHOUT CONSENT. As a trauma-informed instructor and in this era, I was deeply disturbed, especially as the adjustment was completely unnecessary - Not to mention that this practice is traditionally hands OFF. She did this multiple times around the room. Perhaps there is a standing agreement with regulars, however I did not get to meet her before class as she arrived after I did. If she had told me she gave adjustments I would have politely declined, however, I was never given this opportunity. I really had to bite my tongue as I did not want to make a scene during class by saying "please do not touch me". The instruction was overall anatomically uninformed- for example in standing head to knee and seated head to knee, she kept repeating to bring the heart forward. As this posture is anterior compression and posterior extension, flexion of the thoracic vertebrae makes little sense- it is not uttitha hasta padangusthasana. The instructor also felt the need to demonstrate many of the postures IN BETWEEN the poses, taking up a lot of time and resulting in less time spent in the poses, as well as the sides being uneven. We spent barely 5 seconds in every set and side of balancing stick except for the final side. Her ego was palpable and a massive turnoff. I could go on about this instructor, but I will conclude in saying that STAYING SILENT ABOUT THESE BEHAVIORS IS HOW ABUSE IS PERPETUATED IN THE YOGA COMMUNITY. 0 stars for this instructor- To be honest, she is a liability to the business.

Wednesday I took the 6:30 60 minute 26&2 with Roody. It was different from the Monday 60 minute, but as good. I enjoyed the flows and there were many unique aspects and sequencing that helped me access my strength. My only complaint is that it failed to elevate my heart rate sufficiently as the series usually does, and even being right next to him, it was a little difficult to hear his instruction. 4 stars for Roody.

Added a star bc Kate is just so great :) And class was juicy as...

I normally don’t write negative reviews but I felt it necessary since I felt this class I took at this studio was very dangerous. I took a yoga conditioning class with Elly, who did not ask if anyone had any injuries/ limitations before class and seemed to care more about showing off her own skills than the well being of her class. When I had to modify certain positions due to pain I’ve been experiencing, Elly would not stop encouraging me to go back to the original pose which would have caused me harm. I felt really uncomfortable with her pointing out to everyone that I was not able to do the original pose. On top of her unsafe practices, I found her messaging throughout the class highly disturbing. To quote her, she said it’s scientific fact that in order for our bodies to change we must push ourselves to feel like we’re on the verge of death. As a physical therapist, I couldn’t believe what she was saying and claiming it was scientific fact. Encouraging her class to push themselves to an unhealthy point is completely dangerous. I ended up leaving early because I simply couldn’t take it anymore. For anyone taking a class at this studio, please take care of yourself and listen to your body because sometimes the instructors DO...

Yoga Tribe has been my home away from home since I first arrived to Brooklyn in 2013. As a graduate student and NYC teacher looking to achieve balance and calm amidst the chaos of this unrelenting urban landscape, I have shifted and transitioned as Yoga Tribe did from its studio on Flatbush Avenue to Lefferts Garden. Yoga Tribe has evolved and flourished pre and post pandemic because of the loyal, loving, and knowledgeable staff, owners, and students. The yoga is unparalleled and rooted in the tradition that is the original 26+2. Ninety minutes of pure peace, sweat, love, and discipline. Roody, Jess, Alex, Sarah, Elly, Channing, Frank, Kerstin, and so many more have been unrelenting in their commitment to the practice and expansion of group meditation and physical expansion. As a long-time practitioner the 26+2 and the advanced 84 series that has practiced in London, Madrid, Princeton, Philadelphia and countless other studios -over the span of 18+ years- I can say there is no place like home and I am proud, honored, and privileged to...