Makara Studio

Brooklyn, United States

4.8

19 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 347-985-0137
Website:
makarastudio.com
Address:
164 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11206
b/t Graham Ave & Humboldt St
East Williamsburg
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
860 ftMontrose Avenue (L)
0.3 miLorimer Street (J,M)
0.3 miGrand Street (L)
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Today

Today –
Local time (Brooklyn) 5:07 AM Sunday, June 1, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Yoga. Pilates. Community Acupuncture. Belly Dance. Doula.Singing. Yoga By Donation. Pilates Tower. Power Yoga. Ashtanga Based Yoga. Iyengar Based Yoga. Acupuncture. Meditation. Donation Classes. Full Moon Woman Circles. Yoga for Foodies. Brooklyn Doula Project. Healing. Ritual. Yoga Retreats. Community. Love.

History

Established in 2012.

Makara Studio is dedicated to nourishing our community. We do this by keeping our classes affordable and offering classes by donation, in our schedule. Makara recognizes that we are lucky to be here. We share this gratitude through supporting companies that are creating positive models of doing business like Jade, for the mats used in the studio. The mats we chose support Ovarian cancer research, are the most ecological mat on the market, and a tree is planted for every mat sold.

All the products we sell in our mini boutique are made by local artists and one dollar of each product sold goes to The Odanadi Garden Project. Odanadi is an orphanage that co-​founder Hannah Harpole helped to create a permaculture garden at in 2011. The Odanadi Garden Project is dedicated to the expansion that garden to cut food costs and eventually produce enough so that residents can sell at the Mysore Farmers Market.

Meet the Business Owner

Hannah H.

Business Owner

Hannah Harpole, founder Makara Studio, is interested in how the physical act of creating space between the joints, muscle, tendons, ligaments, cells, blood of our bodies results in space within our thinking. Her classes are physically rigorous. She is equally dedicated to the Ashtanga and B.K.S Iyengar lineage. Hannah recently traveled in India where she was honored to study in Mysore with Sharath and be part of creating a garden at Odanadi, an orphanage/​shelter for people who have been trafficked. She also studied in Rishikesh with Usha, and in Dharamkot at the Himalayan Iyengar Institute and was taught traditional Tibetan Meditation by Sonam, a Monk of the Dalai Lama’s family. Hannah has an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Dance with an interest in the evolution of movement and Masters Degree in Education. She also creates performances, films, cooks vegetarian food and is a DONA-​trained Doula.

Vicinity

Near this location:
40
ft
duckduck
161 Montrose Ave
60
ft
Montrose Barber Shop
164 Graham Ave
80
ft
Spanish American Dental Practice
162 Graham Avenue
90
ft
Faith Chinese Food
170 Graham Ave
90
ft
City Cuts
162 Graham Ave
90
ft
King’s Food
170 Graham Ave

19 reviews of Makara Studio

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Really lovely and small yoga studio in East Williamsburg. Best of all, there are donation-​based yoga classes and meditation sessions throughout the week. Otherwise, it’s $ 15 to drop in.
I used to live across from Makara and loved having it as an option whenever I wanted to do yoga on a budget. Unlike some huge, often impersonal yoga studios (looking at you, Yoga Works), you’ll get a lot of individualized attention here. Highly recommend.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Awesome teachers. I’ve been coming here since they opened three years ago. Teachers have changed but they all (past and present) are superb. My fave is Hubert, hands down for his technique and his placing your body when you’re doing it wrong. This place keeps the neighborhood healthy and spiritual!
Four stars because the place needs a bit conditioning, specially the outside. It looks really dodgy when in reality is one of the best yoga places I’ve been in Brooklyn.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Best studio in Brooklyn! I’m a member & I love it.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
Love love love the Pilates classes here and all the instructors.
They let you borrow mats and are very attentive about form and technique.
They keep me coming back!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I confess: though I have been doing yoga ever since, at 19 (I’m 27 so that’s 8 years of sporadic practice) I crept into a dingy YMCA and pushed into my first awkward down dog, I’ve never been one of those types who knows all the vocab, visits India, springs into handstands.
Despite this perpetual newb status, I love it. I just do. I love the feeling of body moving with breath, of stretching into shapes alongside others, of doing an act that feels so purely good. When I walk out of class, I want to be better. I feel happier.
Makara is a space that underscores this good.
I began practicing at Makara because it appeared around the corner. I stayed because it is a warm little refuge and because Hannah H is an incredible teacher.
Hannah was the first person who ever showed me – the other teachers too are expert adjusters — how to do yoga in my own body. This one here with the poofy belly, short torso, tentative nature.
If you go, you can expect a welcoming vibe, a sunny space that smells nice, teachers who explain poses and show you by example and hand. Once you reach shavasana, you get a little aromatherapy oil rub. If I still lived around the corner, I’d be there on Saturday mornings; and I promise if you do, you will be glad.
Place rating: 5
Malibu, CA
Small classes, amazing teachers, and a great mixture of classes. I’ve been to a dozen studios in NYC and just as many in Los Angeles, so this place stands the test of quality. Great job to the co-​founders and community they are building. I can’t wait to get back to Brooklyn so I can stretch my soul.
Place rating: 5
East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
I feel like a new man since I started coming here. Wonderful place — come do yoga!
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
yoga newbie. class was centering, positive, fun and un-​serious in a good way. learned a few things and will def be back. Left feeling good about myself and yoga in general. hannah our instructor was very nice and helpful! vibe was peaceful and def 5 stars.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I grew up in India doing yoga from the age 4 to 14. So back in the day I was pretty good. But I somehow stopped it altogether and until last week exercise usually meant either going for a run, biking, boxing or working out at the gym. Last Saturday I went to Makara with a friend to take a donation class (You can pay anything you want). It was medium difficulty class as the Instructor Hannah Harpole told beforehand. So I figured I could get through the class without breaking a sweat. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. The exercises were simple and I would have called it beginner level if I was watching someone else do it. But my body was so out of condition inspite of all the workouts in the gym that I was sweating profusely. I did manage to get through the class but now I know how bad my situation is. This morning I woke up and did some yoga and I already feel better. I plan to do some yoga every morning and also take a monthly membership at Makara.
Coming to the Instructor Hannah, she has a thorough understanding of how each asana works your body, the blood flow, the order in which you do things etc. I could tell because I did a lot of yoga before and also because I was feeling a bit happier right after the class :). If you are in the neighborhood you should definitely drop in, take a donation class and see how good it is for yourself!
Place rating: 5
Richmond, VA
I cannot say enough positive things about Makara Studio and Hannah H. in particular. For two years I said that the only reason I wasn’t doing yoga was there just wasn’t a place close enough. So, when Makara opened less than one full city block from where I live, it called my bluff. I’ve been pretty hooked since.
I hadn’t done yoga in years and no one at this studio made me feel uncomfortable about being a beginner. Hannah H gave me so many tips and adjusted me so many times in the first few months I was going it was like getting a private class for the price of a group class. I treated myself to a fancy yoga retreat in Mexico after going to Makara for several months. Tulum is beautiful but I missed Hannah H. Now that I’ve had more experience with yoga I realize that she is by far the best yoga teacher I’ve ever had.
Every once in awhile there is an error on the online schedule or a teacher doesn’t show up for their scheduled time. It’s happened twice to me in a year. If this happens to you please don’t be discouraged, go back, it’s worth it.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I’ve taken a handful of yoga classes at a variety of gyms and studios over the past decade or so, but was never really blown away. Sure, the workout + relaxation combo was good, but I’d rather go for a run and then grab a drink.
One of those coupon deals brought me to Makara, and I am totally hooked. Hannah, the co-​founder and one of the regular teachers, is super skilled, kind, and wise. Moreover, her work supports a number of local women’s causes in real and measurable ways. As someone who can be super self-​conscious about performing in groups, I can say her corrections are nonjudgmental, very valuable, and gentle.
I plan on canceling my gym membership and funneling my money to Makara — a move I feel really good about and am excited to make.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Went to a restorative yoga session, left a happier person! The studio is lovely and small, as is the class size, so the class felt very personalized. also loved that we used yoga props galore — mats, blankets, blocks, and bolsters are available and straps will be arriving soon. There is occasional street noise though because its in a ground floor, converted storefront.
If you live nearby, this place is a haven.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I love this new studio just off of Graham Avenue in East Williamsburg, just blocks from the Montrose stop on the L. I’ve taken two classes here, one with Hannah and one with Jonathan, and I recommend for beginner and advanced yogis. My favorite thing about this studio is that it isn’t crowded, and you get specialized attention from the instructors. I’m so happy to have a new place to practice in the hood! Check out the website for updated class schedules, and you’ll find opportunities to try a class by making a donation or bringing a present! Love this idea.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
I’ll venture to the extreme and say it: these people are changing my life. I’m gaining strength, mental clarity, and a sense of community in my new neighborhood. Jonathan and Hannah provide an environment that is challenging, nurturing, and smart. The price is reasonable and they even offer donation-​based classes (not like «we suggest you pay full price», but rather «pay what you can… cookies, buy us a drink, whatevs»). This studio’s a gem.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
I live about two blocks away and just popped by last weekend. Things I like about this place:
1. I don’t have to give myself a 30 min cushion to get there – SO nice having this gem in the neighborhood.
2. I recently injured my back and have a tight hip flexor, the instructor gave me some great poses to work on that – she corrected poses as needed and was very supportive.
3. I don’t know if this is always the case, but the class was small – 3 people. Super nice to have an intimate practice. It was almost like having a private session.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
this is probably going to be my go-​to spot for weekend yoga since it’s two blocks from new place. probably the only yoga studio within walking distance from the montrose L stop and seems to be run in a very simple, hands-​on manner. the teachers are very instructive and friendly. small but bright studio. i like that they offer pilates and yoga, mix it up!
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
Went to attend yoga for foodies event at Makara Studio last Friday!
The space is beautifully put together with personal touches by Hannah Harpole, restored wall paper, glass mural in the bath room to small gifts tables by local designers.
I really enjoyed taking the yoga class from Hannah and personal attention to each pose made the experience special. And of course enjoyed the delicious Mexican meal after.
Place rating: 5
NY, NY
I have been doing Yoga for 5 – 6 years now. And i usually stick to my institute in chelsea but since Makara has opened i now have another great place to come and practice. There are several great things about the studio.
–The quality of the Yoga instruction is really good– both the teachers have years of experience in yoga, pilates and have undergone rigorous training. Which is clearly apparent when you take class and notice the attention to details provided in each pose. I have taken several classes at the studio and being a regular practitioner can see how these classes have helped my practice and improved my poses in their details. Plus its been really interesting to try the Ashtanga sequences as well.
The instructors are totally dedicated to what they are doing and that really helps in making a connection with the practice and the people. Plus they are super nice and you can discuss details of any pose or your practice as you like
–The studio has gorgeous walls and the entire space has a very warm and special vibe to it. Simply the most beautiful studio that i have been to. And yea, love the «barbar shop» sign on the top!
— What also makes Makara unique is that its more than a studio. I have been to the friday evening «Yoga for Foodies» events (yes, yoga+awesome local food) at the studio and it very much feels like a community. And before i forgot, check out the gorgeous harmonium (sort of like an accordion like instrument) they have — it really feels the space with its resonance when you play it!
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Tiny studio run by awesome people. They allocate a percentage of their profits to charity.
Hannah — co-​owner and teacher — is really sweet and great at adjusting efficiently gently without the visceral reminder you that your ligaments could potentially snap (a fear that many yoga teachers instill in me the second they put their hands on me.) Both of her classes that I went to were very personalized. I want to go back every day.
Classes are cheap — $ 10/​class — and frequent — 4+ times per day.
They support local businesses, and you should too!