Dharma East

First genuine smile I found in all of New York City, and you will find ear to ear, carefree smiles surrounding you here. The vibes are lovely and really felt like a mini-​retreat in the middle of my bustling vacation. The class I took was a slow flow and very meditative. Please and thank you.

Dharma himself is just one of the most amazing people you’ll ever meet. This will sound crazy to anyone who isn’t a yoga practitioner, but there is something about his presence in a room that somehow gets you into more advanced postures than you ever imagined you could. He’s just got an amazing presence and energy and his countless years of experience really shine through. All of his teachers and disciples are really helpful and welcoming. I went to some of his master classes due to advice of one of my teachers– and while I was still not quite at that level (almost there!), his teachers, who were also taking the class with me, would stop and help align me if they saw that I was a little off in some way, or if they knew I could go deeper into a posture and wasn’t allowing myself. Very nice. No judgement, just helpful people, all of whom know one another.
I am knocking off one star because there is a lot of pressure to eat 100% raw food. I am someone who has been a vegetarian, and on and off vegan, for twenty years. I am also very knowledgeable about what a body needs to sustain itself from understanding human physiology beyond just the basics (sorry is that sounds haughty or snobbish) — and I really felt that pressure to be off putting, and not to mention incorrect. I did try it for a little while, despite my natural inclination not to, and my digestive tract hated me. It wasn’t just «detox» despite what raw foodists will tell you. A lot of raw food in your diet is good, but all raw food is actually unnatural and you are deprived of certain things that cooking actually aids in supplying you with. The whole «cooking kills enzymes that you need» theory is wrong, scientifically proven to be so, actually your digestive tract kills those enzymes before your body can use them. There was sort of a cult-​like mentality in that way. There was also a lot of misconceptions that eating raw will make you more flexible, when in fact, just losing weight can aid in that, which raw food does help with. Though while I’m not a fan of the raw food pushing, I did like the conception that we should be kind to animals and that mentality– which they definitely promoted. The true yoga philosophy is supported here, and that is a beautiful thing– minus the cult-​like raw-​foodist ideals and this place would no doubt get five stars from me.

I have been going to various studios in nyc taking classes.
I have now attended a few of his master classes and they are quite challenging. What I enjoy most is the unity amongst his students.
I have to assume that most of the people taking this class are teachers.
Some are kind enough to even assist you when you are struggling.
Most studios will not let something like this happen.
Dharma himself is a kind and gentle man. It is inspiring that he can still do demonstrations of these postures and still teaches and lectures after so many years.
This is a great class.
I highly recommend this experience.

No question about it. If you are alive on the face of this planet at this time, you should not miss the opportunity to be at this mans feet.
Just go, see for yourself!
I have brought my children here for their whole lives, and they are always welcomed and loved. If you feel very loved at this studio, don’t take it personally. Dharma and his whole world are unconditionally loving to everyone!

First off, Everyone and anyone should try to take with Dharma at least once in life, he is an amazing person and incredible teacher. Just being around Dharma is a gift.
I first took a teacher training with Sri Dharma in SF when he conducted his DLOAY training. I continue to make the journey back to NYC when I can to take his classes and spend time with him and all of the other amazing teachers at the center. All of the teachers are experienced, caring and incorporate all aspects of yoga into their classes. The center offers a variety of classes with a variety of levels. They also have a good variety of class times to fit into your schedule. When I visit I tend to take Dharma’s master class in the afternoon and a couple classes during the evening with my friend.
I took classes with Rebecca and Andrei Ram. both were exceptional.
The studio is small so you may want to register for class online to ensure you get a space. Be prepared to practice mat to mat as a many people are often in class.
Go to this studio whether you are visiting or living in the city, you will not regret it.

It’s so hard to review a yoga teacher and their class. It’s so subjective. But I just wanted to put my two cents out there for anyone else for whom money is tight and might want to avoid paying $ 25 for a class that just isn’t their cup of chai.
First the positive stuff: everyone seemed very calm, nice, and respectful. A lot of the students seemed to know each other, so there was a warm sense of community but they kept their chatting to a lower volume so it wasn’t disruptive to those meditating before class.
The space, albeit small, is charming. I loved the molded tin ceilings and the painted details. The changing area was clean and so was the bathroom.
Dharma Mittra is someone I have been meaning to go practice with for a long time. He’s iconic. He’s old-​school. He’s supposed to be one of the most peaceful and sweet beings in the yoga world. I found this to be pretty true from what I could see today.
However, I was just not crazy about his master class. I’ve always heard from friends that his class is very BYOA (bring your own alignment) but you get to do some crazy-​advanced stuff. I didn’t think the poses themselves were super-​advanced– what made them hard was the lack of preparation for them and the fact that the room was cold. The ceiling fans were on full-​blast and I just could not get warm. Sure, I can slowly work my ankles behind my head and eventually get into a nice comfortable yoganidrasana… providing we’ve done ample hip-​openers beforehand and the room isn’t cold. Today this was not going to happen without injury.
But Shri Dharma Mittra is adorable. His loving presence and little jokes can make up for what felt like counterintuitive sequencing and holding poses for twice as long on the first side as we did on the second side. Will I go back though? I’m thinking no.

This is what I consider «real» yoga. Conscious, thoughtful asana taught with a philosophy of yoga as moving meditation, a process rather than a means to the perfect pose and perfect body. If you want a fast-​paced, aerobic vinyasa-​type yoga class geared towards building muscle, don’t come here. You will use your muscles from holding postures for a long period of time, but this is movement to calm the mind. They also offer occasional free classes, which is why I discovered them at all! I’ve tried a lot of studies in New York City and, so far, this might be my favorite. It’s nice that places like this can survive in a competitive city like New York.
The space is peaceful and unpretentious. It smells like nag champa incense. It is naturally bright thanks to big windows and a skylight. Only downside was it was too cold in the studio. It was below freezing outside but it makes the practice much less enjoyable when you’re stiff from the cold air.

Dharma is truly a teacher’s teacher. Every yogi must study with him at some point to learn the true reason we practice. At 70, he is still the most amazing yogi I have ever met. Soft-​spoken, wise, authoritative… with a depth of knowledge unparalleled by any other yogi in the U.S. To understand true yoga is to learn from Dharma. The space is simple and big with a spacious changing rooms and I felt safe storing my things. The only negative about the whole experience is the studio manager, Olga. She may just be the rudest, most discourteous, self-​absorbed person in the customer service industry that I have ever met. She is hardly friendly, hardly says hello to you, and seems to look down her nose at everyone. The whole center would be better served to have someone more friendly manning the desk, but if she’s the gatekeeper to Dharma… she’s like the dragon, but getting past the dragon is worth it!

Sri Dharma was recommended to my by my Former Boston yoga teacher and I was completely blown away.
If you want a completely new experience (spiritually and physically). Take his class. It does not even matter that the class is crowded. I travel from the Upper East to get there… the experience of taking this man’s class is enlightening and I would take his class in the middle of a junk yard.
And an added plus… Dharma Mittra was Born in Brazil (We are everywhere).

Just spent the most amazing 10 days of my life at the Dharma Mittra Yoga Center… So powerful that I’m almost embarrassed to write a Unilocal review ;) My words just can’t do justice.
Everyone exudes pure love as soon as you walk into the door. There is such a sense of calm openness that is lost on so many yoga studios today. It is nice to know that assistants are so supportive and are always there to help.
Basic classes are great for working your way up to more advanced classes, including Dharma’s Master Class. He teaches on a a whole different level and you just have to experience it to know what I’m talking about.
If you’re looking to deepen your practice or just seeking a new experience, the Dharma Center is a rare gem.

I really love this studio but some of the more basic classes can be a little snoozy. I know that’s terrible to say but I almost fell asleep at one of them once.
If you’re lucky enough to take a class from Dharma, it’s a real treat. He’s just as awesome as you expect, and then some.
All of the other teachers are very friendly and open too and luckily the classes aren’t usually crowded (unless of course it’s a Dharma-​taught class). It can be a little hard to balance if you have a thicker mat though because it’s lightly carpeted.

Wow. This is why I do yoga. I took a master class with Sri Dharma. He speaks softly and slowly and you just know that he is enlightened. He is so real that he seems misplaced in NYC, but I am very grateful that he is here and that I got to take a class with him. There will someday be a whole style of yoga named after him and I will be able to say that I met Dharma and he helped me with my handstand! I feel like I am at an Ashram and not in the middle of a bustling city. The class is totally worth the price (something like $ 24). It does not seem incredibly challenging, but you are working really hard. Be sure to hydrate after — and beware of the mean guy at the juice bar if you follow the other yogis to the health food store up the street after class.

Being very low on the ladder of yoga, I haven’t had the pleasure of taking any classes with Sri Dharma as yet. However! I have taken the basics 1 course with his students/​disciples. and they are fantastic teachers themselves. This center focuses a lot on getting a few basic and essential poses right, rather that just piling on different poses, during the 6-​week course. The teachers explain to you the significance of each pose, each time reminding you of how it benefits you, and which muscles you’re strengthening. There is also a strong element of inner peace and meditation during the practice. Quite a refreshing change in the NYC pace, and definitely excellent for beginners and noobs.
The Basics 1 and 2 courses run for 6 weeks and costs $ 120. The other more advanced or drop in ones range from $ 5 upwards. This isn’t the posh, pretty «spa like» sort of studio that you’d find at the chi-​chi places. it’s humble and real. I like the vibe a lot more when it’s not too sterile. It’s a lot easier to get comfortable in this space.

Dharma Mittra is the real deal. There are many great Yoga teachers and studios in NYC, and I practice in various places. But nothing and no one compares to Dharma. From the minute you walk in the door and see his shining eyes and smiling face – all very gentle and calming – you are transported, and you know in a few minutes he’s going to put you through the most intense, challenging, mind expanding 90 minutes you could imagine. He’s something like 70 years old and he stands on his head with no hands. Yes, it’s true. There was a picture of him in Vanity Fair last year standing on his head with no hands on a steam grate in NYC. Yoga theatrics aside, Dharma is a great teacher for the soul. His noon classes are for advanced students, but those who are more intermediate can take his Monday and Wednesday evening classes. There are some other fine teachers at this studio as well, and many of them teach classes around the city, eg. Andre Ram teaches at East West Yoga and Amittai teaches at Chelsea Piers gym.

If I lived in NYC, I would study with Dharma much more than I do. He’s pretty much the guy I want to work with. He is strong and flexible and wise and kind. He really throws off the right vibe. He is sincere and knowledgable, and has been teaching for something like 40 years. When I go to his class, my practice takes a quantum leap, and I actually feel like I am becoming a better person. Really, like I’m nicer and have better moral values. And not in the annoying way, just like, I’m wiser and nicer and making better decisions. The noon class is really the place to be, I’ve never seen anything like it, and the people there are really humble, even though they have advanced asana practices.