Laughing Buddha Hot Yoga Center

Beware if you don’t like heated classes. Even the classes they state are not heated (THEY ARE). They put the heat on mid class to heat up for the following class. Some of the difficult training classes should not be heated. You could pass out its so hot. They should plan 15 min btw classes to heat up, not during an unheated class. especially for being the most expensive around.

Dropped in today to take a Barre class. Was very excited because it would be my first class and being that I live across the street it would be something convenient. So, what can I say? Walked into class and there was only one other student and the instructor Raina. I’m thinking great, some one on one instruction. Well, I was really wrong. My instructor doesn’t really acknowledge my presence, doesn’t say hello, not even a smile. The other student is just as warm as my instructor. Equipment is kind of thrown in my direction and the class begins. What a waste of my time and $ 20. Class was just uninspiring, not because it was easy but just because the energy in that room was just awful. Did they force this instructor to be there because I definitely felt unwelcome. It’s a shame, because I used to be a client there a few years back (hot yoga) and the owner Michael was always so warm and welcoming. Very disappointed and probably won’t be coming back. My advice to Laughing Bhuddha would be to sign up Raina for some attitude adjustment courses. Namaste!

There are some pilates and yoga classes here that are fantastic. There are some students that take their practice very seriously. You can tell that there are die hards who come to this location and also people who are new.
Laughing Buddha offers a lot of deals and has a lot of new people. It’s great to drop in to the community yoga classes on Sundays.
I’d love it if they had some later classes or more frequently but i know how hard it is to schedule instructors.
Overall, the location is kinda of crappy but the classes are okay and will do if you are looking to take a good class on short notice.
The yoga classes had extra space but pilates was packed!

This is my favorite yoga spot. I drove here all the way from Forest Hills when i wanted to go Hot Yoga because the places in Forest Hills were not as good! Laughing Buddha is clean and they have a changing area. I took several classes here and loved each one! I moved to the city and wish that I could still go here! The instructors are very motivating and help you get into the correct position. I like how the classes are small and kept to under 15 people. Would definitely recommend this place if you live around the area!

I have been meaning to write this review for a while. sorry it took so long.
I have been coming to Laughing Buddha for about a little over a year now. Earlier last year I was unemployed and had a lot of time on my hands, I decided I wanted to get fit and live healthy, body and mind. I dislike the gym because I am lost as to what exercises to do, how many to do, and I feel most gyms are not clean. I was introduced to the studio by my mom who enjoyed going to Claudia’s Hot Vinyasa class which is a solid work out. My first class with Claudia was awesome, it was tough since it was my first real work out in probably years. It was everything I was looking for, a great work out that also centered my thoughts. I felt amazing after the class. The studio is clean and has a positive environment. I bought a 10 class package and quickly use all of my classes trying different styles and classes they offered. I decided to move to the unlimited monthly. I have since tried almost every class Laughing Buddha has to offer. They offer a variety of classes that can appeal to everyone. The instructors are great, friendly and encouraging.
Zumba with Crystal is so much fun! She has so much energy and you really work up a sweat with her. You’re having so much fun with Crystal you don’t even care how awkward you look. Everyone in the class is smiling and having a good time. I remember going to my first class feeling tired, and Crystals high energy and fun personality instantly woke me up and got me going.
Hot Yoga 26 with Michael is where I go to find my center. Michael is attentive and corrects posture. Mentally, I feel at peace and centered after leaving his class. I used to go every week and it helped me focus during the week to have more patience and less anxiety. His words are very encouraging and help you get through those tough poses. He is also the owner of the studio and takes the time to get to know his customers. He always makes me feel welcomed and is accommodating.
Hot core/​barre with Raina is an awesome work out. She is fast paced and has a great routine. You feel the burn in her class. I worked out muscle I had no idea existed. I would suggest this class to those who like the heat! It can get really hot but I like to sweat so the heat doesn’t bother me. Raina also keeps a close eye so the heat and humidity of the room is well balanced so you don’t feel depleted after class.
Inside/​Out Pilates with Linda is fantastic! She pushes you to go there, and if you go there, you feel it. up to 5 days after class. She’s constantly changing it up to keep your body guessing and the work out interesting. The class has a cult following and the ladies that go consistently look fantastic. If you stick with her class you will absolutely see a change in your body and over all strength. She will shape and mold you.
Piloxing is a great class for cardio and working out some aggression. I feel empowered and like I can really kick some butt. The moves are easy to do and keep your heart rate up up up! The class is one hour and it is a solid work out.
I believe they offer new students ½ price off their first class and $ 30 unlimited weekly pass. Its a great way to explore which classes and instructors you like. This is a great place to change it up or take a break from your gym routine and try something new and get out of your comfort zone. If you’re committed to see a change in your body and overall health and fitness level, Laughing Buddha can help you achieve that goal.

Love it here. A variety of classes every day, nice staff, nice studio. A little more than I would’ve liked to spend but well worth it

I loved this place. If only I didn’t have to drive to get here. But that’s not their fault. The first time I attempted to GPS my way here, I got lost. That’s not their fault either. *shake my fist at phone*
It’s really easy to sign up for a class online.
They have 2 rooms: I especially love the one that faces the outside. You can see the sky and the bridge while the sun sets.
I love hot yoga. Note: NOT bikram. I’ve tried bikram before, and it was just okay. This is sort of a mix. The room didn’t smell, which is a plus.
Their barre class with Raine Barre was amazing. I can see how people’s bodies can change with a consistent barre routine.
The warm vinyasa class with Michael was great too. I don’t understand why the previous reviews were so negative. The instructor isn’t there to do the entire sequence with you. At other studios in NYC, some instructors don’t do ANY at all and just tell you what to do while they stand and correct you.
I love the fact that they offer a variety of classes here: vinyasa (regular, warm, AND hot), barre (also with the different degrees), zumba, antigravity yoga, etc.
Warm, hot, room temperature, take your pick.
They also sell apparel, headbands and mat sprays. (AND they take credit card!)

I started coming to this studio on a Groupon and decided to take Barre as I used to take Ballet years ago and figured it would be interesting. I loved it! I’m not going to lie, it kicked my butt and challenged me in ways that I didn’t think possible but I am so glad I found this class! I plan on continuing once my Groupon has run out. I will say that the room could do with installing more barres but really thats my only criticism. I enjoyed Raina’s class the most. I also took class with Tara and found that it was not as through as Raina’s. While I plan to stick mainly with barre, I do plan to check out the other classes, especially the anti gravity yoga. I like that this studio offers these specialty classes as there are not many in the area that do.
The studio is very very clean and check in has been a breeze so far.

I bought a Groupon last year and originally had no problem finding a spot in the evening classes. Recently, however, it has been really difficult to find floor space and people are starting to get aggressive. The girl at the desk told me to try the earlier classes because there not as busy. Umm thank you for the tip but we are not all housewives and some of us have to work full-​time. While I don’t agree with the agressive nature of some of the earlier reviews, I have to admit that the clientel is not upscale. The random posse of regulars that sit in the front of the ‘Inside Out’ class will dash over you to take floor space and make passive aggressive comments «can you believe these Groupon people can’t wait till they all give up and disappear *laughter*». Not the kind of people I choose to be around. It is hard to enjoy a workout when you have to fight other people for mat space especially if its a yoga class.
Agree that the studio is very clean and there is ample parking but as far as getting an good workout in the yoga just does not cut it. The instructors are not challenging and on several occasions there were people having personal conversations throughout class. Yoga seems to be more of a social hour for the regulars. Yes this studio is less expensive compared to others in the area but theres a reason for it. The only way I would return is with a Groupon because the classes are not horrible but definitely are not worth paying full price for. Get the Groupon and go to the ‘Inside Out’ classes. Just ignore the comments from the regulars and skip the Yoga unless your a beginner.

I don’t usually write online reviews, but for this studio and the amazing instructor I was exposed to deserve an amazing review. First of all, I love the fact that they have their own parking lot, anyone who is a driver in NYC can defiantly appreciate that.
Second of all, The receptionists/​greater was very friendly and exemely informative (considering I had 1001 questions)
Now about my class experience… I took piloxing and Zumba classes on Monday night with crystal and it was one of the best two hour work out experiences I have had in an extremely long time. She is one of the most motivating, fun, and helpful instructors I have ever had. This was my first time doing piloxing and she made sure that I was doing the poses correctely and that I was pushing myself and not slacking off somewhere in the back of the studio. Zumba class was amaaaazing with great music, fun routines that most people can definatly follow and high energy from the instructor (crystal) and the people In the class.
I will surely be making my way back to this studio every Monday night. After all, I did purchase a 12 class package without giving it a second thought, yes, it was that good. ‚!!!

The studio is clean. Lots of parking. I bought a groupon but used it back in December… at the time, I didn’t have any problems with attending classes. I like the area for changing, storing items… but I’ve never used the bathroom so I cannot comment.
In regards to the actual yoga, I wasn’t impressed. I tried different instructors and I eventually stopped going and attended other studios. I wasn’t being pushed enough and my practice wasn’t growing.
I wouldn’t say this place is horrible nor good. It was just ok. It’s good for new students to yoga… those who want to shed some pounds because the classes are geared in that direction.
If you want to build your practice… this is probably not the place to go.

I am new to the whole hot yoga scene so I dont know what to expect from a studio. For being a newbie and cashing in my living social deal with Laughing buddha this past weekend I was pleased with what I got. I am glad becuase I had been eyeballing this studio and been meaning to try it out. There are not many hot yoga studios in the bayside area that offer such a variety of classes at a variety of times. I work in the city and dont get home until 6 and their schedule offers 3 – 4 class options that I can attend after workand at least one class that I can attend before work. This is something I find extremely convenient.
Parking — plenty of spaces in the lot.
Storage: They had a place for your shoes to go before you entered the studio and they also had storage cubbies in the back for you to put your bag and jacket.
Class registration: I called in advance becuase when I went to register online for the class I realized it didnt have an option for a living social deal in the payment section of the site. They signed me up for the class and told me to come early to fill out paperwork. I got there 30min early and had no complications, signed in, found a spot in the classroom and was ready to go.
The hot yoga room: It is small but very clean and didnt smell. They fit about 25 peoople in the class which seemed a bit tight but when it came to do moves where you had to stretch your arms the instructor staggered us so there would be no bumping into each other.
The only thing is, I know I was very concerned about taking on the heat and not passing out so I dont know if it was me focusing more on that and not keeping my mind on the position and muscle lengthening or if the instructor did move thru the poses quickly. Either way I will be back to use the rest of my sessions and will see if the heat gets easier and if it was me or the instructor that was the cause of me not focusing well enough lol.

Ok, so this is my 2^nd review of this horrific «yoga» center. The owner Michael is obviously trying to keep things positive on this Unilocal page. Why? Because like many other real yoga enthusiast, we hate this place.
I bashed this place in my 1^st review — which was MYSTERIOUSLY taken down after Michael replied to it with anxiety, animosity and fearfulness from the truth — because the hot room is not hot. It is mediocre at best. I did not break a sweat until we hit the floor series in the Bikram sequence. The teacher (s) I had were horrific.
Michael especially, who did a piss poor job of navigating the yogis through their practice due too crap instruction and even worse detailing of what to do in the poses. He stated a few things that would: a) could hurt you (locking your knee, especially in standing head to knee, a pose Mikey couldnt even get into) and b) not even instructing newer students precautions during backbends, especially in camel…
I was in awe to see and hear the horrendous nature of instruction from the teachers. And again, the clientele here is horrid. Very pretentious trash, very typical of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Look, the place was clean… but big whoop. The yoga room looks cheesy and the scheduling of classes looks dumbs and very child-​like. Do they offer zumba and other gimmicks here? What about Tae-​bo? Step? Heck, why not install spin cycles while you are in there.
I would never go back here EVER again for anything… not even to take a dump.
My biggest disappointment was the teachings. Truly embarrassing. Look, I don’t expect the classiest place when I go to practice, nor do I need great amenities. Heck, i practice for my well being, physically and mentally, and to find a connection with my body and mind.
In this place, the only people that try are slobs, fat pigs, house wifes that then can go to their friends and say, «Hey girls, I go to hot yoga…,»
This is my 2^nd review of this abomination of a yoga center. Again, the first one was taken down because the owner could not handle the real talk. I find that to be disturbing, as Unilocal should be a place for reference. You have to question the positives reviews from here…
Are they friends of the owners or plants? It has to be…
Again, don’t go to this place; only if you want to get injured, get instructed poorly or practice in a horrid setting with even lackluster and non-​adventourous yogis who look at yoga as a trendy or cool thing to do and not a lifestyle or something serious.
Matter of fact, I’m sending this off to other yoga blogs and spreading the word on networks of this joke of a situation. Hey Michael… namaste.

I purchased 6 classes by way of Groupon for this place since I work nearby. I had called and was told to arrive 20 mins before class which I did. The place was jam packed with people who refused to move out of the way of the entrance when there is clearly a waiting area deeper into the locale. One of the classrooms is right across from the entrance door and the regulars crowd around it like a depression-​era breadline with no personel telling them otherwise.
I somehow make my way to the front desk to sign in and present my groupon voucher. The girl tells me there is a waiting list and that I should have called to get my name on the list. UMM, thanks for telling me that when I called the day before! That was not mentioned when I called, like I said, I was just told to arrive 20 mins before to register. She proceeds to write my name down on scrap paper, not a real sign-​in sheet as most gyms provide for say overbooked spin classes. She tells me to wait and that she believed there will be room.
10 mins later, the instructor emerges from the classroom and proceeds to hand pick from the studio regulars who get to go into the class. He asks questions like «Megan are you here with anybody?» to which she answer yes and allows her male friend in w/​her despite his obvious late arrival. He went into the classroom three separate times and came out each time to say «one more» — Sarah, you could come in… like to me, it was obvious that they were skipping over people.
When they closed the wait list, the girl at the front was annoyingly apologetic and by that I mean, had a nasally high pitched «Sourrry guys» and proceeded to advise to call ahead to be placed on the list.
This place did not leave a very good first impression on many fronts. The windows were steamy from the outside and the air was obviously stale when I walked in. The people who go to this studio do not appear to be very civil. Everyone refused to move so as to not lose their position of attack on the entrance to the classroom. As in many studios, you cannot bring shoes into the classroom but the area they have you take off your shoes is not near the class entrance and the commercial carpet that is in the area between the front door and classroom is disgustingly dirty. The ONE bathroom smelled like urine and it gave me a panic attack to have to walk in there barefoot — I literally placed bounty sheets all around the floor in order to walk in.
I will probably try one class in order to rate the actual yoga instruction rather than just the environment but doubt I will cash in on all six. I miss my real Bikram certified studio but unfortunately work and live too far from it.

It was at Laughing Buddha where I first tried hot yoga. I purchased the one month unlimited pass through livingsocial but was only able to go 3 times :(Twice I went to a hot yoga class led by Michael and once a hot vinyasa class led by Claudia. I felt comfortable in their classes to try my best and they were helpful in rearranging my poses when I needed it.
After 1.5 hours of hot yoga, you walk out of the studio, feel the fresh air and see the skyline. it’s just an exhilarating rush! If I had the time I’d love to go twice a week. Yoga helps to unwind after sitting all day in class or writing papers bleh!
And for those who don’t think they sweat a lot, well you will in hot yoga! I bought a full size towel and the whole thing was wet by the end of the class: P
There’s a parking lot out front but for some reason my gps does not register the address here, thankfully I’ve managed to find it. They also loan out yoga mats, towels in case you leave yours at home.
Bring water for hydration! :)

I have bought this deal from Living Social for one month unlimited. I’ll say that it has been a great experience. The staff is very polite and pleasant. I attended a hot yoga class with instructor Mike, definately knows what he is doing and a great motivator. I loved this experience.
Zumba classes are excellent! Very energetic, Elena is an excellent zumba teacher. It’s an exciting class, you are having fun in her class while you sweat.
The reason I am giving it 4 stars and not five is because the prices are a little expensive. So I cannot afford it,.

I’m also surprised about these great reviews. I used to go to Bikram Yoga Grand Central but decided to try out this place since it is closer to home.
I after reading the great reviews I was really excited to start. But I’m really disappointed.
The owner is also one of the instructors but he looks like someone who is just learning the poses himself. He couldn’t hold most of the poses and I honestly think some of the techniques are wrong as well.
The part that bothers me the most is that the instructors are not in good shape themselves. How is this inspirational?

This is the first time I ever went to a yoga studio so I have nothing to compare this to but I gotta say it was a great experience.
Staff was really nice and helpful. Instructors walked around to help correct your form or to help challenge you more if they think you can do it. But they definitely tell you to take a break if you really need it. Don’t think they need anybody passing out in their studio. But overall they are just nice people and after the class the instructors came and talked to me with nothing but good intentions. They definitely were not trying to sell me something or convince me to join.
I’ve done some yoga in the past so the only thing new to me was the heat and humidity, which made for a pretty tough session. The room gets a little crowded, not sure if this is normal for yoga places? A lot of times i ended up grazing or touching my neighbor when we had to extend our arms to the side. But other than that it wasn’t too cramped.
Do bring a towel to put on your yoga mat because that thing gets REALLY slippery. And bring another towel to whipe yourself with cuz your gunna get soaked (doing the hot yoga anyway). Obviously go with a bottle of water in hand.
The backroom has a few changing rooms, a shower and a bathroom i think. Its not big back there so you have to quickly change, no time to hang out.
For the fellas who have thought about trying out yoga dont feel embarrassed. I went to accompany my friend (who’s a guy) because he wanted to try it out. There were 3 other guys in the room as well, and no they were not lean and skinny. 2 of the guys were just massive dudes that probably spend a lot of time in the gym. Also the 2 instructors were also guys. So don’t feel like you’d be out of place or whatever. Also bikram yoga definitely ranks in the upper echelon of tough things that I have done in my life.
Overall I felt great after the 90 minute class and I actually want to go back. I’m actually considering to incorporate this somehow into my martial arts training. I feel like this place definitely sets a high standard if I get to visit any other yoga studios.
Be ready for a challenge

I am an admitted former yoga hater until I tried this place. I had tried many «yoga» classes at my gym for years and could never get into it. Once I started here, I was hooked. I’m just bummed I moved away and can’t attend anymore.
The studio is CLEAN and I mean CLEAN. Most hot yoga studios that I have been to have a yucky odor that REALLY distracts me. This place has no such thing. ALL of the instructors have their own style, but are fantastic. Mike keeps it light, and knows when to push, encourage, or back off. Claudia will kick your butt, Liz has a soothing style that really streteches you, and Danielle really challenges you to go that extra mile.
I HIGHLY recommend to beginners, newbies, or advanced. There is something for everyone here, and no egos! It’s a great place to nurture your love for yoga!

I used to goto this studio when it was under a different management and I have to say that the new change is definitely appreciated.
You don’t feel intimidated and Mike makes you feel very welcome. There is no pressure to buy packages, or buy anything for that matter. You are there to learn, and that’s what the instructors do. I’ve taken Mike, Danielle and Linda and they are all great teachers.
The studio has been expanded from what it used to be; there used to be a walkway but that was taken out and the studio can fit more people more comfortably now. There is a small changing room in the back with a shower.
The only thing I would like is for them to add more classes! I’ve taken Claudia’s class previously and I really like her teaching style (she’s tough though, so beware) but I can never make her classes cause she doesn’t teach on weekends.