New York: Saluting the City Sun

As a native New Yorker, I've always been a little miffed at being presumed to loathe nature. In movies and on TV, we kvetch about mud on our Manolos and bugs on the screen door.

In truth, though, we crave the outdoors more than any Portland-dweller. Trees are my best friends. Grass is my long lost luvah. And doing yoga outside feels like it was meant to be—expansive, free, intimate—like skinny-dipping in a lake. Which is why it's so delicious that it's finally outdoor-yoga-class season. And it seems like there are more places than ever offering a patch of grass (or roof) in the great, dirty, balmy outdoors.

Last month there was Times Square yoga during the solstice—an amazing way to literally experience calm within the chaos. And as summer trots on, there are plenty other quieter (relatively speaking) options.

Starting July 9th, the lovely Laughing Lotus gals start their outrageously popular Rooftop Yoga classes, Mondays till August 6th. (Pictured at left.)

Throughout the summer Om Yoga will be sponsoring a class Wednesdays at 3pm in Union Square Park. Here's more info.

Levitate (a sponsor of the Times Square event) also has a roof class at sunset every other Thursday in July and August—you must pre-register.

Lululemon Athletica (home of the best sweatshirts on the planet) is sponsoring a class every Thursday at 6 p.m. through August in Bryant Park. Beginners be warned: it's almost impossible to hear the instructor unless you're very close. And last week the class was stopped halfway through Tree Pose as stormy clouds loomed. But the grass was sooo soft.

Central Park Yoga (meet at the northeast corner of 81st and CPW) is on Sundays at 9 a.m. It's taught by Lisa Langer—she teaches all over the city—and is only 45 minutes.

I'm guessing there are zillions more—do you have a favorite place to practice outdoors in our sweaty jungle?

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