NYTimes Revisits Yoga + Chocolate Issue

The whole luxury food items + yoga issue broke a couple of years ago---and was controversial then. Today, the NYTimes Dining section revisits the concept. Spearheaded by Dave Rominelli, Yoga + Chocolate is supposed to unite two great tastes that taste great together, heightening our sense of sensuality and our enjoyment of asana practice. When I took his workshop last year at Exhale in Manhattan, it wasn't chocolate that we were enjoying, but cheese. A little plate of fromage appeared at the top of my yoga mat after savasana.

Some of the cheese was artisinal, but most was from Whole Foods.

Global Mala--Not Just an LA Event (though you gotta hand it to them....)

The Global Mala event---108 sun salutations, done in public, with a lot of other people, to live music---will happen next weekend, Sept 19 & 20. The LA crowd---particularly the sun-dosed teachers and musicians working out of the Santa Monica/Venice mothership---have really got their act together for it. Their event is *huge*. And no wonder, since it was conceived of by Shiva Rea, who teaches out of the Exhale Center for Movement in Venice, and has the backing of her local folks such as Hala Khouri, Saul David Raye, and Govindas and Rhada. Nonetheless, there will be Global Mala events all over---not just in the US but in Canada, Japan, and South Africa. From the press release: "On September 19 and 20, the Global Mala Yoga for Peace Project, whose purpose is to unite the global yoga community, will implement events throughout the world in honor of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Forming a “mala around the earth” through collective practices based upon the sacred cycle of 108, the mission of the Global Mala Project is to raise both funds and consciousness for some of the most pressing issues facing the world today." In New York, the event is organized by Exhale Spa, too, and will take place at 150 Central Park South (212-249-3000). But it looks like a *much* smaller affair. The LA extravaganza is described as "a 4-hour ritual with 108 sun salutations and kirtan music." For a mere twenty bucks you can get a premium seat (seat?) in front of the stage with goodies thrown in.New York, what are we doing here?

Several new studios find recession not a big deterrent to opening, strangely

Players big and small, fearless of lean times, falling revenue.

In Williamsburg, Sangha Yoga Shala by Alanna Kessler and Cory Washburn. This studio will mix Iyengar and Astanga traditions. 107 N 3rd, between Berry and Wythe.  Classes start April 13. 

Fierce Club "yoga to kick your asana," from "Core Strength" Sadie Nardini and partner Shannon Connell. Opens for classes first week of March. 

In Soho, Exhale Spa. "Located within a light filled temporary space at 68-70 Spring Street between Crosby + Lafayette, enjoy our signature Core Fusion®, Core Fusion® Sport and Core Energy Flow® classes while our permanent Downtown New York City flagship spa is being constructed. Exhale is pleased to be partnering in a condo conversion in a historic building that will be green (LEED gold standard) that is underway at 200 Lafayette Street in Downtown Manhattan."

Soon on the Upper West Side, Pure Yoga numero deux.

And also in Soho, Yoga Works, Soho. "Our Soho location will be the latest addition to the YogaWorks family. It’s innovative, cutting edge, environmentally friendly and the best thing to happen to yoga since the yoga mat. This is the perfect opportunity to find out how yoga can work for you."

Ready, set, eat your heart out, folks.