Dartmouth Health and Fitness

Within Moksha Yoga, heat flows from radiant-heating panels and mirrors reflect glowing wall sconces as students bend and flow through postures. Led by certified instructors, classes conform to Moksha Yoga’s seven pillars, using the 60- to 90-minute sessions to help students to be healthy, accessible, and peaceful. With a focus on community and eco-awareness, the instructors lead classes for all experience levels, offering help to students who have accidentally super-glued themselves to the cork flooring. The heated studio helps to deepen stretches, and classes provide benefits such as decreased stress, improved posture, and the ability to control the urge to smash buildings when enraged.

"Truth is one, paths are many." This was the principle by which the late humanitarian and author Sri Swami Satchidananda Maharaj lived, and by which the people behind Integral Yoga Institute New York City abide today. A part of the global Integral Yoga organization founded by Swami Satchidananda in 1966, the New York location continues his legacy of peace, balanced living, and selfless service one student at a time. The staff—which consists of two swamis and many experienced full- and part-time instructors—challenges students to explore their self-awareness and improve their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health via the practice of authentic Hatha yoga, with an emphasis on meditation and breathing. The caring team nurtures its community in other ways as well, offering free or deeply discounted classes for military veterans, 9/11 first responders, and people with disabilities.

The New York institute began in a large apartment building on the Upper West Side before relocating to its current home, a brownstone building in historic Greenwich Village. In six soothing spaces painted in colors such as lavender, aqua, and rose, guests of all skill levels participate in yoga classes and devotional chanting sessions known as Kirtan. Instructors wishing to further their development or actors studying to play yogis on TV attend the center's world-renowned teacher-training program. Patrons can supplement their healthy lifestyles with books from Integral Yoga Shop, vegetarian treats from Integral Yoga Natural Foods store, and vitamins from Integral Yoga Natural Apothecary, or head to the Integral Yoga Wellness Spa for spiritual counseling or relaxing massages.