Pilates in East Massapequa

Director Patrick Hanratty chose to study under hot-yoga master Bikram Choudhury after becoming captivated by the technique. He has since taught yoga for seven years, and derives the most happiness from witnessing his clients finding themselves surprised by the Bikram style's visible benefits. Patrick welcomes students of all experience levels to Hot Yoga Massapequa, where he cultivates an encouraging setting in which classes run seven days a week. During each session, guests transition from one Bikram pose to the next, following a specific sequence that utilizes every major muscle group. While the heat draws out toxins through sweat, the technique's therapeutic element inspires patrons to let go of stress and chronic aches sustained from sleeping in a giant pretzel mold.

Nicole Tzen, Inner Balance’s owner and a certified holistic practitioner, wants to do more than treat illness; she strives to empower clients to take control of their own health. That’s why, in addition to offering integrative-healing services such as massage therapy, acupressure, and reiki healing, she hosts a range of yoga classes to bolster clients’ fitness. This balance between mind, body, and spirit is also seen in the wellness center’s Peaceful Minds program, in which licensed holistic practitioner Amy Mahoney provides free massage therapy, reiki healing, and yoga and meditation instruction for combat veterans.

Members of Synergy Fitness Clubs thrive on choice. Choice of location? There are nine. Choice of activity? Instructors lead classes in almost any form of exercise imaginable, such as power sculpt, full-body circuits, and intense cycling. To make sure that members are making the choices that will help reach their fitness goals the fastest, the clubs are staffed with more than 100 lifestyle coaches. These pros are continually educated in their fields of specialty—which might mean nutrition counseling, yoga, or boxing.

A wide slate of equipment and amenities makes it as easy as possible to fit in workouts. Most locations are open 24 hours, and while parents lift free weights or dance a beautiful tango with a Precor elliptical, their kids can hang out in a free childcare room.

The Fit Factory aims to combine the act of getting in shape with a bit a personal entertainment, teaching dance steps during Zumba, self-defense in kickboxing, and self-expression through pole dancing. Instructors hold classes up to seven days a week, spicing up their selection with both yoga and Pilates. Outside of regularly scheduled sessions, they hold private pole parties for groups of ladies seeking a healthy night out.

The instructors at Yoga Darshana Center believe that yoga is more than a series of stretches and breathing—it's a peaceful mindset and a unity of mind, body, and spirit that exists both on and off the yoga mat. For the past 11 years, the not-for-profit center has been helping students of all ages, abilities, and beliefs to reach this inner peace through yoga classes, retreats, and community activities. During these sessions, they teach students to stretch muscles, tone up their bodies, and develop deeper bodily awareness so they can hear their spleens’ innermost thoughts. They further unite their community by hosting inspirational movies, lectures, and healing circles to help students mend and reenergize from the inside out. For students who would like to start on a path to yoga instruction, Yoga Darshana Center's dedicated yogis also run a 200- and 500-hour teacher-training program. The training program is geared toward teaching not only the postures of yoga, but also the tradition and spiritual, philosophical background of the process.

Jackie Morrison founded the Long Island Center for Yoga in 2003 to create a beacon within the community, one that would draw individuals seeking healing as well as spiritual and physical growth. To accommodate this range of interests, the schedule embraces a variety of yogic styles. Vinyasa and vigorous yoga classes build strength and endurance with dynamic asana sequences. Restorative yoga, on the other hand, incorporates deep, sustained stretches aided by supportive props. Yoga nidra, meanwhile, encourages introspection with time-honored meditation techniques.

Regardless of the style, self-discovery is a common theme at the studio. Unlike many practice spaces, Long Island Center for Yoga doesn’t hang any mirrors on its walls. This forces students to closely monitor their own form and technique, with instructors on hand to recommend modifications. The studio's Pilates, tai chi, and belly-dancing sessions similarly teach students to recognize the inherent connections between their minds, bodies, and untapped telekinetic abilities.

Jem Yoga's seven experienced instructors strengthen mind, body, and soul via a wide-ranging array of classes, offering instruction to all skill levels. Jem Yoga specializes in Hatha yoga, a holistic practice that connects poses, postures, and meditative practices. Classes range from Level I beginner classes to open and intensive yoga classes and a yoga-Pilates hybrid, with each drop of sweat releasing stress, restoring serenity, and perfuming the air with peace. Whether dexterous as rubber bands or unbending as 1950s gender roles, muscles can achieve maximum stretch with minimum pain thanks to the availability of free yoga mats, blocks, and straps, and neither previous experience nor lotus tattoos are necessary to join in the bendy fun.