Photos by Mary Jane Farnsworth
The new yoga studio opens in the Rivertowns, offering a mix of classes that tap into everything from power and prana to vinyasa flows.
Here in Westchester, we have a strong yoga community. But, unfortunately, many local studios didn’t survive this past year, due to the pandemic, shuttering doors after decades. Longtime practitioners and instructors Shannon McGee and Nancy Puleo had subleased at studios and taught online before recently opening their own studio a few months ago — in a picturesque location on the Hudson, in Irvington. Yoga Love NY (1 Bridge St; yogaloveny.com) offers classes that combine movement, breath, music, energy, and passion, McGee explains, in a heated, industrial space with exposed brick and plenty of natural light. Puleo says, “We noticed this strong surge of what people were calling ‘hot yoga’ taking off all across the country, but it really was just a fitness class. We believed that we could bridge the gap and give a fun, upbeat, sweaty feel to an authentic and technical yoga class, where not only do you get more fit, but you also have the opportunity to grow in your practice, with strong alignment cues, fun, upbeat music, and dynamic sequencing that inspire a deep hidden strength.” Classes at this new studio, many of which are heated to 85–90°, are vinyasa flow and include essential flow, slow flow, prana and power flow, among others. Vaccination is required to practice in person.