My Favorite yoga studio In NYC. Friendly Staff, especially Laura + Jen. Beautiful studio with classic NYC history. Its nice and homey. Its not corporate or cold, but still very clean. I'm not a Pro Yogi or anything but in every class the teacher has deep knowledge, appreciation and great style. Very helpful, willing to answer any question. The only classes that are less than out of the park are the occaision sub. Not bad just sometimes theyre are still learning a bit. Some of the classes are a bit more classic / flow / yoga and some (like the rub or derek's class ) are a bit more fitness focused. Try everyone out, you can reAlly get a great variety of style here read more

Before I write my review, let me tell you a bit about myself. I am not your typical Kula student. The typical Kula student is an advanced yoga practitioner or a dancer/model type. I am a curvy former runner (i.e. not very flexible!) with a busy job that only allows a few yoga classes a week. And I am here to tell you that anyone can do yoga at Kula. Of the yoga studios I've visited in New York City (now around 5 or 6 including big names like Laughing Lotus, Jivamukti, and Om), Kula offers the most challenging classes. However, us mere mortals CAN fit in at Kula. Kula was the first real yoga studio I went to after having taken some yoga classes at the Y, and though I often struggled (and still struggle!) to keep up, I never felt like I shouldn't be there. In particular, the basics classes are great for learning proper alignment and are much more challenging than basics classes elsewhere. In general, any level yoga student can keep up with the basics and open level classes as long as you know basic yoga poses and you are in decent aerobic shape. If you are brand new to yoga, you should start with Kula's beginner series or spend some time taking some beginner classes elsewhere to learn the poses. But keep in mind - Kula is hard. If you want easy yoga that is slow and won't leave your muscles hurting the next day, Kula is NOT for you! Space: Kula's space issues have improved immensely with the addition of the larger studio on the second floor. Though the Kula flow classes are still crowded, the hour classes and the basics classes are much roomier than they used to be. Also, Kula teachers are very good about designing the class around the space constraints, meaning they won't have you do a pose that causes you to smack you neighbor in the head. The changing space is still cramped, however, and there are no showers, which is why I only gave Kula 4 stars. read more

First of all I have heard great reviews of this place....this month I made the decision to go to try out a number of yoga studios in the city First each class should have a max number of students --it was so crowded that I was practically hugging the person next to me -- which would have helped due to the fact that the instructor was so negative and non encouraging. she said that some of the postures she saw were "disgusting"....'oh but she cant say disgusting b/c she saw a dirty condom on the E train so we weren't 'that' pitiful. .... she was singling people out and harshly criticizes them ........not once did I feel like "FLOW" like the class was named----but tense like an ice cube for which the heart of the teacher has become.....regardless if I had been doing yoga for 1 day or 80 years I should NEVER be treated like that ....I will not return. read more

Recently moved to Tribeca and was excited to try this studio so close to my apartment. Was happy to see they offered a 3 for $30 deal. Not so happy when they failed to honor it. My first class was a 1.5 hr kula flow. The teacher was more barky than guiding, and the class is combined with people doing the kula hour, so there's an interruption midway through to allow for them to transition out. I would say this particular class was more beginner-intermediate than intermediate-advanced. My second visit was a weekend flow class in a warmed (but not bikram hot) room. The teacher was much better, challenging and well-guided, but the class was uncomfortably packed. On my third visit, after an 80 hour work week and in particular need for some stretchy zen, the receptionist said that I'd have to purchase a single class at $25. I explained that I purchased a 3 pack series but she said it was expired (by only 2 days!). This was never mentioned when purchasing, and any attempts to explain were diverted and ignored. I hadn't brought my wallet w me and left yogaless, feeling swindled. I really wanted to love this place since it's right down the street from me, but the reception was consistently snarky, the classes underwhelming, the amenities lacking, and the vibe altogether unwelcoming. read more

Kula classes are advanced and the students are mostly seasoned yoga practitioners (they offer beginner workshops). Schuyler's class every Friday is a must as is Annie's and David's classes. Guaranteed sweating with all of them. I need to knock one star for not having more coat hooks in the entrance (during the winter this is a serious problem- imagine 10 hooks for 60 coats) and for no towel rental. And believe me you WILL need a towel. Advanced Classes Very Crowded read more

I wandered out of my usual yoga comfort zone for a class with Marisa Sako(who, btw, is a really wonderful teacher!) at Kula one evening. You can feel a bit of pretension when you walk up the stairs to the line of folks pressed up against the wall staring at you curiously, for which I later found out was for the bathroom in the hall. Yep, toilet is in the hall. There is also another bathroom within-yes inside-one of the classrooms. It's an old building, clearly. Each was quite clean though. Up another flight of stairs is the lobby, at upon immediate entrance the shoes come off. There might be a cubby space there for them, but I didn't look very hard since I just had on flip flops and stuffed them in my bag. The women at the front desk were chatty; both with themselves and then to me, but at least were smiling. The waiting room was full of yoga stuffs for purchase and had little love-seat bench type thingies to sit on. My butt fell asleep while sitting on them. Clearly not mean for long term lounging. The changing space leaves something to be desired though. I'm not sure if it's the only one, but it sits down a little hall next to the front desk. Men's section is past the women's section, which is only blocked by a curtain. A curtain which you can peek through as you pass. Inside the space is super tiny and the mirror on the wall reflects all of your bits to passer-bys. I'm not much for modesty while my curves are bare, but I still like a bit of privacy. Once the yoga room was open folks made a beeline to secure a spot. The waiting room was full, but once the class filed in, it seemed even more so. I snagged a spot off the side, but at least close-ish to the front. The room was hot. Not hot like hot/bikram yoga, but pretty darn warm. They have towels to rent. You WILL need a towel because you WILL sweat. Marisa's flow was super juicy & just a slow enough pace for both comfort & challenge. I haven't been in any other instructor's class yet, but want to give Kula a good crack in the future. It was definitely an enjoyable practice and overall good vibe. read more

A hidden gem - even after being here a bunch of times, I sometimes still miss the door to go up the creaky three flights of stairs that lead to this place of enlightenment. Everyone here is real nice - and this is where one of the teacher's let me sip her Zico coconut water and made me see the light. They sell Zico (as well as other fancy, yoga-esque) drinks in the fridge. Coconut water is nature's energy drink - and its amazing. You need something that refreshing because these classes are intense and sweaty. It gets so wet that sometimes I can't do anything but lie in child's pose in my own pool of sweat. mmm. There are different types of classes - I'm addicted to the intenso one. This class is a hard workout and it is slightly unsettling that most girls here are too too thin (seriously - is there some sort of ano-city guide that says to come to yoga here?!), but the teacher is awesome and this is where I've had my most success with meditating. My core has gotten so much stronger from these classes and it has changed how I understand my body. The "honey flow" is cool too - some deep yin (ie long stretching), but enough vinyasa (ie a workout_ for type A new yorkers Give it a try - its so much fun and worth the price. Just don't plan on meeting up with friends after. Hardly a bathroom, cramped changing rooms, and no way to avoid being drenched in sweat. read more

Kula Kult. I had a visceral very negative response to this place. Once you get past the shady building and it's entrance and the fact that studios are on different floors with external doors to the stairwell, the experience is pleasant enough. However I found that it was very clannish and insular. The teachers are not as knowledgable as other places I've been and the students are seemingly very competitive with the encouragement of the instructors. And turning up a loud old heater to 80 does not Bikram yoga make. Additionally, I saw too many a girl wearing identical leggings, a striped racer back tank top and a coy fish/dragon/lotus flower tattooed to the top of her right foot--- for my liking at least. Will not be returning. read more

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Kula. I love it but I hate that everyone else loves it too. It is almost always so crowded. If you try to go to any of the super popular classes, like the Friday evening class or a Schuyler class, get ready to have your yoga mat about 1" away from the person next to you, ON ALL SIDES. Also, the smaller room of the 2 is really quite small. I don't really like practicing in there - plus it gets extremely hot with all those bodies and not a very high ceiling. I agree with an earlier reviewer who mentioned that so many more people are going to Kula now and it's still the same size. There's technically 2 bathrooms but 1 of them is in the "front" of the larger room (read: you have to walk inside and disturb a class so it's never gonna happen) and the other one requires a key and going down a floor. It's certainly not ideal. Everyone is super friendly but there is definitely a clique-y feel to it. If you've never been to yoga, I think the Basics classes might a little difficult, unless you're in decent shape and maybe a little bendy. As far as teachers are concerned, Schuyler is obviously amazing (she's the owner and the director of the studio), Jillian is awesome, same with Stephanie, and I also like Ariel. I've heard that David's Multi-Intenso classes are amazing but just the name of the class kind of scares me. Bonus points for having an unemployment discount! Bravo Kula! read more

Kula is where all the dedicated yogis practice and that is something special. I took a class there last Sunday with Nikki and I was so inspired by all the yogis around me grooving within her creative and purposeful sequencing. Kula is truly a freestyle Vinyasa studio. You won't get your hand slapped if you respectfully express an asana in your own way that fits your practice and the theme of the sequence. In Nikki's class, anyhow, there were several yogi's choice moments that let me really work on everything I wanted for my individual practice. The only con is that the classes are super packed. Luckily, my neighbor was an old teacher of mine, so it was cool to practice with her like the old days. However, I felt that I was a bit limited at times and was a bit thrown off as I didn't want to kick or swing into any classmates. read more

I've only been to the basics classes and I really enjoy them. It's challenging enough yet not complex to a point you don't know your left from right and the ceiling from floor. The classes are not overly crowded and the two studios I've been in are spacious. The place itself is not squeaky clean new like yoga works in soho. Yet the tribeca loft scene with its colored roof and ceiling fans create a more comfortable atmosphere. At least for me it does. The last thing I see before my savasana is the blue paint and slow moving fan - it really takes me away. I forget I'm in the city. The staff are very friendly and the people who attend the classes are always smiling as you pass them on your way up or down the three flights of stairs.... Unlike other studios where everyone is in their own bitchy bubble. One star off for charging to fill up your water bottle or cup. It's yoga you sweat. We need to hydrate. read more

I just loved this place. Beautiful, big studio with tons of old-city charm. Gorgeous stained glass windows & buffed, old wooden floors make The place feel cosy and warm. The lighting is low and calming. I took a 95 min class (odd length, I thought) which turned out to be closer to a Decadent 1 hr 45 min flow. The creative, challenging sequencing kept me interested, and the vibe of the studio made me want to return. You will get a work out at kula, but the emphasis on breath work and body awareness is very centering. This class is perfect for the vinyasa yogi who Wants to try something unique. read more

The basics class was fine, the instructor was nice, but it's not necessarily a place you would go back to given all the other options in the city. Their 3 class package deal only lasts 30 days and they don't make any exceptions, even if you haven't used any of the other classes. As a first time customer, Kula's lack of flexibility took away any chance I'll go back. Sorry! read more

OMG! As good as it gets. Pretty advanced yoga - definitely not for beginners .. don't be surprised to see "optional" arm balances correctly executed in six seconds. I started here with NO experience years ago. Yes it is awkward while you are learning, but now when I go to other studios I get restless as they aren't nearly as challenging. No mindless dharma babble from teachers that don't know what they are saying. All teachers across the board are great. Best yoga (meaning asana) studio in the city. read more

I am athletic and LOVE hot yoga. My class was supposed to be for people who want to get more familiar with the poses and be guided through the flows. I still found it to be pretty fast paced even for someone who has done yoga before. The room was extremely hot (more so than when I previously did hot yoga elsewhere) so I was drained. It was rough on my body the next day. read more

This studio is fantastic and is a great place to practice. Take my review with a grain of salt-- I'm by no means an experienced yogi, though I have gone to Yoga classes off and on over the last 4 years in Fitness Centers/community gyms that offer them. Though they can be good places to start yoga, I've always thought I was simply going through the motions to work-out without much spiritual or athletic instruction during poses. I like Kula because the instructors are knowledgeable, kind, and offer quality help. The community is also welcoming and warm, as is the gym-- you will sweat as they keep the studio warm, but this is not Bikram by any means. Maybe I'm just especially sweaty, but I promise not to step on your mat. Though somewhat expensive (10 classes cost $170/ $17 a class), I've felt deeply satisfied incorporating yoga at this studio into my weekly regimen. Shout out to Cristina and her Basics class-- she is an AWESOME teacher. Very communicative, helps with the fundamentals, and does a great job talking you through poses. I've improved my flexibility and chronic back pain by taking her class. read more

I live Kula yoga project. My first day back after a 10 year break. Amazing vibes, teachers, technique.

Great instructors here! It's hard to find unless you know exactly what you're looking for ;P It does get very hot and doesn't feel air conditioned at all. It's hot because of the number of people in there generating heat. read more

Incredibly knowledgable and careful teachers here who circulate diligently to give hands on adjustment and observe from different points of view. Exceedingly reasonable rates given that many classes are 90 minutes or even two hours. I've tried all the teachers and my favorites are Nikki, Magi, and Ariel, but you really can't go wrong with anyone. This is safe, smart, rigorous yoga--the real deal! A very special place and perfect for anyone who wants more than mindless, infinite sun salutations. read more

What's not to like? Okay, so I am a bit biased - was on retreat in Costa Rica with the cofounders when this studio was literally being conceived. If you are a NY yogi/ni and have not taken class with Schuyler Grant, you need to go down there immediately, especially if you are rusty on uddiyana bandha. Also, look for Oceana, Nikki, Stephanie. And for some cirque du soleil action, try David's multi-intenso. read more

Very sweaty and cramped, but I leave class feeling like I've worked hard and with a clear head. I love the after-work 65 minute classes - enough time for a good workout but I get home at a reasonable time. read more

Just moved to NYC from Chicago and have been here a handful of times. Finding a studio and new teachers to practice with takes time and can be frustrating. I took advantage of their intro offer for new students and 'discovered' Nikki C and Magi who are both amazing!! Straight to the point, knowledgeable yoga instruction from authentic people. Seems easy, but we all know easy to f*ck up. Headed there today to practice and purchase a class series and look forward to 'discovering' more gems at Kula. read more

Kula is a joyful, warm, and talented studio to practice yoga at any level. Each of the teachers brings a different lineage and vibe, which makes attending class even more interesting. The flow is excellent and honey is an incredible compliment. The basic classes are fantastic, and really focus on *understanding* alignment. The introductory deal: 3 classes for $30 is a great and reasonable way to try! Namaste! :) read more

I love practicing at this studio. Been practicing yoga for over 10 years. this place has an amazing array of instructors. I have only taken a few classes however, they were all good/great classes and I knew some of the instructors from Brooklyn. They seem to offer a dynamic flowy vinyasa style of yoga, which I like. Let me just say that every class FLOWED. I think the classes were inspirational and not intimidating. I left classes feeling invigorated. The place is rather cramped, and they seem to be crowded a lot. Perhaps a great sign of their fan base. They offer a good intro special 3/$30. They are very inviting, however I will try the W'burg studio, since that might offer more room-better locale (for me) in general. I didn't have time to see if they offered H2O or charged for it, Don't know about mat rental fee, or the shop, the crowdness was just too much. read more

Talking about Kula means making peace with sounding pretty sappy. This place is great, amazing, fabulous, wonderful -- get the gist? It's hard to fight the pull of sappiness when you're overflowing with love for the world, etc etc. Which you will be after 90 minutes of sweating it out at Kula. I'm no yogini (is that even a word?) -- I've done it maybe 10 or 15 times in my life. And I'm definitely not the type to relax, feel my chakras, be zen, or do anything even remotely un-neurotic. And yet...Kula manages to take the crazed ball of fluffy hair and anxiety that is me and smooth it into a happy, grinning, warrior pose-rockin', blissed out girl. I've tried yoga at other places and have left feeling more stressed than when I got there. When there are mirrors, I get distracted by them. When the instructor is demonstrating all the poses, I get distracted by her. When the instructor is coming over and fixing me every two seconds, I start flipping out. While the cramped quarters and lack of demonstration might not be for everyone, I find I enjoy things much more that way. I focus much more on myself and the instructor's directions, and tune out everything else. I've only taken Jillian's Beginner's Flow class (M/W), but I like it so much I'm scared to burst the bubble of love by trying anything else. The class is definitely not a walk in the park, and I'm usually the worst one there (see above, re: not a yogini), but anyone in decent shape will make it through just fine. And might just leave a little chiller than when they came. :) read more

The teachers here are awesome. Nikki's class was crowded but she still got to me and really got in there to adjust my pigeon. I also like the varied sequence that the teachers here offer. The studio is stocked with quality props. Highly recommended. read more

Kula runs with the best of them. Great teachers. Acute and stellar vinyasa practice that will get you lean and mean. The stairs can be a bit daunting, but if you can make it up once, you are bound to make it up them again. The kulis that run the desk change a lot over the years, and can be super and sometimes a bit much. Aarona's yoga soundscape is amazing with the live music. some teachers are newer than others... hard to tell. this is one studio where I have learned a lot! read more

I like to think of myself as a little like Walt Whitman: I contradict myself. This is particularly true with yoga, which I am an unlikely candidate for loving but do anyway. Yoga actually does improve your body and mind, as everyone says, and to the extent that it feels really really good, it's also really really healthy, which is not true of anything else I know with the possible exception of pomegranate juice, which is delicious and supposedly like the best thing ever for you. I pretty much hate all the typical attendant aspects of yoga, though: crappy chanting, teachers who talk about how they figured out the meaning of life on their bike ride to the studio that morning, long shivashanas at the end because the teacher didn't come up with enough ideas for class. I don't like classes where I leave feeling like I could have done some hamstring stretches in my apartment and gotten the same thing out of it. And I feel a little bad even admitting this, but I just don't like saying "Namaste." At Kula, none of the above happens. There's no chanting; I have never heard a teacher use the class as his/her soapbox; classes are always very challenging and the sequences even make sense. Oh, I mean, there is Namaste, but I don't know if you can avoid that anywhere. If I open a yoga studio someday, I'll even probably grudgingly say it at the end of class. The classes at Kula are so hard that the first few times I went there, over the summer, I worried they might ask me to leave b/c of how much I was sweating. Now sometimes when I go to a particularly difficult class, I kind of feel like I'm swimming everything is so wet, and then for like twenty minutes afterwards my fingers are wrinkly from it. But the teachers are just great--very serious and nice and helpful. I am not exactly a "yoga person" b/c I am not hippyish enough nor do I like touching people constantly while I'm talking to them, but the teachers here are real live yoga people and that's very favorable to, well, running a yoga studio. The teacher usually puts on music during class here, anything from Krishna Das (American dude pretending to be something else) to Iron & Wine to Moby. Lately Moby has been a real theme at Kula, which is maybe embarrassing for them--and embarrassing for me, who love it. Seriously, doing yoga while listening to Moby is one of the best things I've done in recent weeks. And I have a very full life! I do lots of great things! I give Kula four stars b/c of some minor inconveniences. Everything is crowded; classes are crowded and the changing rooms are crowded and finding your shoes afterwards is crowded, and today my coat was hung up underneath a hundred other coats and I had to take them all off the hook so I could get mine, and then b/c I was in such a loving environment I had to hang back up all the rest of the coats. Plus, it's pretty crazy not to have showers at an insanely intense yoga place. Like, oh, you wanted a glass of -water- with your double-decker peanut butter sandwich? I didn't think you'd be thirsty! read more

I love this place! Such good vibes. Sad it's going away end of September :(

Customer service is one of the worst I have ever encountered. Maybe their employees could take a lesson in what "Zen" actually means. Lady I spoke to was sooo nasty. Felt like I was dealing with a junkyard employee. Steer clear of these guys at all costs read more

I really like Christina, Ariel, and Magi. They provide clear, precise instructions and approach every class with enthusiasm and kindness. Some of the other teachers are a bit snobbish.... too many "scientific" instructions and have diva attitudes...like if you don't do the poses in a 'type a' personality way, I'll chide you sort of way. My other complaint about the studio is that they have this silly, borderline absurd way of extracting more money from clients: a 50 cent charge for water...no cups either....that's just cheap.... not cool. read more

My Washington state yoga instructor/former dancer recommended Kula and Om as challenging studios. The first thing I noticed at Kula was the identical monocromatic dance tops on every student but there was no attitude. The front desk was welcoming, the teacher (Marisa for a Kula Hour) was approachable and it was a great exhausting workout. Everyone was into their practice, focused and I had a great time. Stongly recommend. I was staying on the on the Upper Westside next to Pure Yoga but they had no visitor option but their receptionist said many of their instructors also teach at Kula! read more

I had high expectations. Over all not bad instructors, but definitely not at good as I had heard from others. It's definitely worth it to try the place out if you live nearby. I thought the space was ok. The classes seem decent. Good instructors, but it's missing a spiritual element and some of the classes could be a little more vigorous with better sequencing. read more

Let me start by saying kula is a beautiful studio with lots of beautiful people doing beautiful yoga. I've been practicing yoga for almost 15 years, periods on and off. I have a round supple strong healthy body and like many struggle with body image. I was intimidated by the long leggy modelesque yogis at first, but THEN I took a class and realized kula has the most amazingly beautiful class flows with outrageously challenging and creative sequencing and precision verbal alignment cues. It was like yoga heaven, and I feel connected to my body and breathe in a powerful way, so much so that I can let go of my body dysmorphia and really meditate. Kula is not for beginners unless you take intro classes, otherwise you'd be crazy not to try them out. I especially love Alex and Oceana's classes. Can't wait to try out more teachers. read more

I decided to try this place. I was in Tribeca and it came up on my phone as 'yoga places near me'. Great vibe. Beautiful studio. Lovely ambiance and the smell of the candles is intoxicating. GREAT teacher. I did the 3 for $30 and am on my second class. Lovely. I also like their merchandise. Truly takes you to another world where you can zen out. Just beautiful. I've taken a lot of yoga so I know. Excellent teachers each time so far. Coming back! read more

Best vinyasa classes in the city. Very talented teachers, great energy! Do need to show up on time. Classes fill up fast.

This is my favorite yoga studio in all of Tribeca. Jillian and Kevin are the BEST teachers. They are amazing. Jen G is also good. The style is very flow, and there are very hard and relatively easy classes, clearly labeled. Go!! Creative sequencing, and lots of love. read more

Good studio and very good instructors. Can feel a little cultish. Crowd seems to be a good mix of beginners and experts. Not too intimidating, actually comfortable environment. Would recommend. read more

I was referred to this place by a co-worker. I've only been to a few classes so far, but they have been pretty good. The people and instructors are warm and inviting. The classes are fairly intensive and you build up a good sweat, but that may be caused by the extreme heat in one of the small studio rooms. Just remember to bring a towel - it's essential. read more

Full disclosure: I am a co-owner and co-founder of this studio. I used to teach there, too. But not anymore. Anyway, I'll be as unbiased as i can be. Kula is a very chill, unpretentious studio. While we have a pretty tight community and there can be some chatter in the lobby before and after class, we all do our best to be welcoming to the newbies and make sure you feel right at home. The yoga is pretty vigorous and especially in summer you'll get your schvitz on, so it's a good idea to bring a towel. If you go, please let me (and the Yelp community) know what you think! Thanks. Also, if you're new to Yoga or vinyasa we have beginner classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays -- check our website at www.kulayoga.com for more info. Oh -- and we do really excellent retreats upstate (and one in Peru) in the summer, and winter retreats in Costa Rica. read more