An Insider's Guide For City Yoga-Lovers

Back in 2005, a New York City yoga instructor, Natasha Augoustopoulos, casually mentioned to one of her students a plan to compile in a book stories about her amusing experiences at local yoga studios. The student, Erin Turner, a writer and television producer, suggested taking it a step further: Why not work together and publish a comprehensive guide to the city's wide range of yoga opportunities?

The idea was an ambitious one. But nearly three years — and countless sun salutations later — Ms. Augoustopoulos and Ms. Turner completed the recently released, self-published "Citystretch: A Guide to New York City Yoga." The Zagat-like guide rates more than 150 studios and gyms offering yoga classes and yoga hybrids in the five boroughs. Each venue is described in detail, taking criteria such as cleanliness, quality of instructors, amenities, and the general "vibe" into consideration.

Each $15 copy of "Citystretch" includes $450 in vouchers for free yoga classes, a result of the authors having struck a deal with 25 of the studios they rated. "This is not intended to be a coupon book," Ms. Augoustopoulos, who teaches yoga classes at Manhattan's La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, among other venues, said. "We realized that a number of studios offer free first classes to their students anyway, so it was a great way to get people through the door and practicing yoga. That's just an added bonus."

What follows are descriptions of local studios that received a top, five-star rating from "Citystretch."

BIKRAM YOGA

Described in the guide as "a beginner's best bet," this Brooklyn-based studio offers classes at all levels. Bikram yoga, also known as "hot yoga," is practiced in rooms heated to a minimum of 100 degrees — the goal being for practitioners to warm up muscles and sweat out toxins. Studio directors Troy Meyers and Aiko Nakasone, who both trained with the inventor of Bikram yoga, Bikram Choudhury, are famous in yoga circles for creating a welcoming and unintimidating atmosphere.

(106 Montague St., 2nd Floor, between Henry and Hicks streets, Brooklyn, 718-797-2100, bikramyogabrooklyn.com, $19 a class, or $12 a class with a 75-class card. First-time studio students pay $21 for a week's worth of unlimited classes. )

JIVAMUKTI YOGA

Ms. Augoustopoulos said that about 20%–30% of yoga practitioners are men, and many of them prefer classes that offer more strenuous workouts than some gym-based classes provide. Called "hardcore" and "energetic" by Citystretch, Jivamukti courses in Greenwich Village provide the ideal yoga workout for men — and women — seeking a satisfying challenge, according to the guide. The studio's offerings include partner yoga workshops and a vegan café.

(841 Broadway, 2nd Floor, between 13th and 14th streets, 212-353-0214, jivamuktiyoga.com, $16–$20 a class, free introductory classes are offered on the first Sunday of every month.)

KULA YOGA PROJECT

Kula Yoga Project in TriBeCa specializes in vinyasa, a style of yoga that focuses on linking breath and movement. Called "the best yoga for hipsters" by New York magazine, it is also one of the few five-star studios that offer a student discount. Those who are busy into the early evening can take advantage of the studio's late-night classes.

(28 Warren St., 4th Floor, between Church Street and Broadway, 212-945-4460, kulayoga.com, $14–$17 a class, discounts on multiclass packages.)

PRENATAL YOGA CENTER

Mommies-to-be can keep themselves fit and healthy at this Upper West Side studio founded by birthing specialist Debra Flashenberg. Besides yoga classes, the center offers breast-feeding support groups and "Mommy and Me" classes aimed at helping new mothers lose the post-pregnancy pounds.

(251 W. 72nd St., 2nd Floor, between West End Avenue and Broadway, 212-362-2985, prenatalyogacenter.com, $21–$24 a class, multi-class discounts available.)