Yoga to the People

Yoga to the People is a bi-coastal institution, with studios in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Berkeley, and San Francisco. It’s easy to miss from the street level—hit the buzzer to be let up or just look for spandex-clad yogis on their way out the door. But the 5th-floor understated entrance belies the stunning space, fronted by a wall of windows overlooking the city. Wood beams overhead and scattered plants lend a warm, welcoming feel. (The studio is also kept quite warm—literally—thought it’s not hot yoga.) The studio’s motto, “no ego, no script, no pedestals,” is aptly reflected in its by-donation model. The body-positive vinyasa classes are vigorous, but unintimidating, focusing on the interplay between movement and breath. Need a distraction from a shaky pose? Teachers often play modern tracks, from reggae to indie rock to electronica.