I.AM.YOU Studio

I recently joined a Sunday restore class at I AM YOU with a wonderful yoga teacher and beautiful soul, Persiana. This was my first RETOX class and visit to I AM YOU STUDIO, I was in love with the studio (exposed brick, original beamed ceiling tucked away in the heart of Little Italy) the class very much drew a parrallel on that for me. One wouldn’t expect such a yoga gem in this area of town, yet it exists! Similarly, it was the RETOX version of a restorative class so I felt that I was able to get a strong and cleansing yoga class at the same time. Persiana is a natural as she guides you through the poses, her inhalation and exhalation instruction allowing you to remain present. She was also very kind and helpful if someone needed a modification, and was able to pay attention to the entire class. Looking forward to my next RETOX!!!

Persians was the best instructor I have ever had. The studio was lovely with exposed brick, nice décor, and a soothing vibe. The class was a great balance between challenging pace and poses, and cleansing calm. I was amazed by the instructor, I think her name was Persiana’s ability to set a great mood, have a great feel for the pace and ability of our class, and exude a great sense of calm and understanding. I would highly recommend to any to take the class, but make sure you know who the instructor is first.

This is definitely not your typical yoga class. I’ve been to at least a dozen studios and this stands out for both the good and bad. I appreciated the chill vibe, but found the studio to be overwhelmed with random stuff not related to yoga. It’s pretty clear the purpose of the room is not mainly for yoga, as there were multiple chairs, a couch, coffee table, a bar area (yes). Don’t know about other people but I like some what of an empty space to help clear my mind. They had towels, blocks, and mats free of charge which I did appreciate as some studios like to nickel and dime you for that stuff. There is one changing /​bathroom, so I’d get changed else where if you can.
On to the class — yes, it is fast paced as other reviews mention. I’ve done fast paced but this was extremely repetitive and fast paced. Like you’re doing the same sequence prob 50 times. I like that yoga (normally) keeps me on my feet not knowing what’s next, but not this class because once you start something new you know you’ll be doing it for what seems like forever. I’m not sure if that’s how all the classes are at I.AM.YOU. I found it to be extremely boring and frustrating especially with a bad hip and because we were going so fast and doing the same sequence so many times I knew I wasn’t doing it 100% correct. It was also hard to gauge exactly what we should have been doing at times because students were all over the place.
If you’re a creature of habit and like doing the same moves in yoga OVER and OVER and OVER again then this is for you!
If there are classes that are less repetitive I’d return, but that doesn’t seem to be the style here :(

JESUS CHRIST THIS CLASS WILL KICK YOUR ASS.
for the love of god, don’t come here if you’re intimidated by fast flowing vinyasa classes and/​or super new and not yet totally confident in your practice.
this is not to discourage newbies. on the contrary, i think if you’ve got the balls and confidence to own it, you should definitely turn up. the instruction is direct, with active adjustments, and you can always take a break or modify as needed to cater to your fitness and level. however, people complaining about it being chaotic or stressful are likely not the type to really like intense, fast, power vinyasa, which is exactly how i’d describe the class here. it’s not a gentle flow, and it’s definitely more athletic than restorative.
I really like this type of active yoga because it keeps my body moving and challenged. even without infrared heaters, you will break a sweat. I brought my own mat to lay over the existing ones and didn’t catch any grief from the instructor — however next time I’ll just bring my towel since each spot is carefully laid out with a particular amount of space allocated per student.
take this class if you’re reasonably comfortable with your practice, and extremely comfortable with getting UNcomfortable.

Super fast paced with not enough time to get into proper alignment. Left the studio with sore hips and knees. The 6:30 pm class actually starts at 6:45pm. This is not a typical studio and more of someone’s living room converted into a practice space. You have to sit outside the apartment and wait until they open the doors 5 minutes before class. There is only one bathroom so 10 people are waiting to use the bathroom to change out of work clothes. The sequence is pretty much like 30 sun salutations, the same standing series another 30 times then bridge/​wheel, shoulder stand/​headstand and savasana.

I never been to the actual studio but have taken a class outside the studio with Lauren and it’s a great fast flowing power yoga class that I’d recommend anyone who is looking to burn some serious calories. The music played during the session was great too. Loved this class flow.

This studio is nice, clean and welcoming. Yoga mats are provided. I took the Signature Flow class and it was pretty intense for an hour and a half. The studio is warm but it’s definitely not «hot yoga» like Bikram. I found the flow to be really good but this is not a spiritual-​type of practice, more just physical. The music selection was good, subtle. I enjoyed the class and found it very challenging the instructor was Lindsey Meacham. She sets clear instruction and makes adjustments as necessary.
Please note that you can enter the building and go to the sixth floor directly and do not need to ring the bell.
I will definitely be back!

I found this studio through Classpass and I think there are some pros and cons for myself personally.
I’ll start with the pros:
–beautiful studio
–mats and towels are provided
–instructor began the class in a nice gentle manner
–good workout if you are knowledgeable and safe
Cons:
–music selection
–Instructor pace picked up way too fast
–not enough guidance
–my hips and knees, and wrists are sore
I’ve been practicing yoga for close to six years and I enjoy a challenging class but this felt a bit chaotic. In all fairness chaos is a great thing to learn to breathe through but I don’t know if the power hour class was my thing. Definitely the fastest moving vinyasa class I’ve ever experienced — I’m rarely aiming for this pace when it comes to yoga though.

Pros:
It is not a traditional studio. It’s a beautiful loft with décor, some furniture, a big open space and hardwood floors.
This is one of my first yoga classes. I am actually familiar with the poses but I haven’t done them in the context of yoga.
Cons:
This class is definitely not for beginners. I agree with Emily F that the instruction could have been better. There were 2 instructors but neither of them was demonstrating the pose. That’s strange… They go around to fix/​help people sometimes but I wasn’t sure if I was doing things correctly, except for looking around at the other students. I think they should slow down and familiarize people the sequence first and then speed up — they did the exact opposite. If you happened to do things incorrectly and just kept repeating them, it would be bad right?
The pace was so fast that we didn’t have much chance to get the right balance. And I couldn’t even use a towel even though sweat was dripping on my face.

I really wanted to like this studio & I thought I would based on the reviews. In particular, I was excited that music was apparently going to be such a large focus in the class — I mean, they have an entire section on their website dedicated to the music experience at I.AM.YOU. Things seemed okay when I arrived. The studio is absolutely beautiful, and the instructor (Lindsey) was very nice.
Unfortunately, it was a pretty bad experience in every other way. On ClassPass, it showed that the class was an hour, so I expected it to be an hour. I now see on their website that the particular class is listed as 90 minutes, but what’s up with the discrepancy on ClassPass? That sort of thing is not okay, as I didn’t really have a spare thirty minutes on a Monday night! There aren’t any clocks that I could see in the studio, so I was met with an unpleasant surprise when I checked my phone after class. I think it should be the studio’s responsibility to make sure the information on ClassPass is accurate, especially in a case like this where 30 minutes can make a huge difference.
This class is not for beginners, which would be fine for me, as I was familiar with all of the poses… but it also felt very disconnected & unsafe. There was basically no instruction in regards to the body. Almost every other yoga class I’ve taken places at least SOME emphasis on the safe ways to push & challenge your body. This class is so fast-​paced that there’s no time for that. The instructor had the class go through each sequence a million times, even though it would have been a better/​harder/​safer workout to go just a little more slowly with more instruction. It got pretty boring & repetitive with the same sequence over and over. I actually prefer fast-​paced yoga (I’m a big fan of Y7, which moves quickly), but this was just ridiculous. And for the inversions, I completely agree with the reviewer who said that more instruction needs to be given. A lot of people seemed lost during this time.
Once I got home, I actually spent some time stretching, something I’ve never felt inclined to do after a yoga class. Part of the reason I didn’t get a good stretch during the class is because the mats are absurdly close together. They have a huge space, but a bunch of it is taken up by furniture (that I never saw used, but maybe they have a reason for all those couches that I’m unaware of). I couldn’t even sit with my legs crossed without touching the mats next to me. A lot of the poses in the class were very balanced-​based, and it’s really hard to stay balanced when you can’t even put out your arm without touching your neighbor. A couple times, people started to fall from the pose, but when they put out a hand to steady themselves, they accidentally hit their neighbors.
They provide the mats, and I honestly wish they didn’t. The mat I was on smelled SO bad whenever I had to put my head close to it. I would have preferred to use my own mat, but with the spacing, my slightly-​wider mat wouldn’t have even fit!
And the music was a total disappointment. The first fifteen minutes of class had no music at all. Once it finally started, the instructor would get sick of the songs halfway through and switch abruptly to another song. There was no flow, no connection between the music & the movements, nothing.

This is my new home. I look forward to the end of my workday when I get to the beautiful exposed brick loft with cool art, black Jade mats, and the sun beaming through the windows. The only way to describe this location is serenity. Jen and more recently Keela are the only teachers I’ve had there, they are incredibly hands on and I love when they come around during savasana and rub your neck with oils. It is the best smell after being drenched in sweat from the face paced flow. The flow the first time (as an experienced yogi who practices 4 – 5 days a week) was challenging, then the next time I went I got the hang of it. I usually do 5 – 8 surya namaskara a’s in a row in the beginning of practice (before add ons) not 12. It is invigorating and I have added on my own adjustments for more of a challenge or to modify if I am sore that day. I leave with the biggest smile on my face. The 6 train was delayed for a long time after class last week and I didn’t care!
I cannot wait to try a class with Lauren!

As a beginner, I feel that I’m learning at a faster rate at
.You than other studios. The energy and pace, the poses, and Lauren’s clear instructions help me focus on my form, my breath and the space around me. Oh, the space… it’s phenomenal.
As a male, I feel comfortable and very challenged while taking Lauren’s classes. The pace is quick and doesn’t slow down — but I’m not worried, I’ll get it. The classes here give me a goal that will take some time to reach, something very worthwhile.
Lauren makes the classes uniquely hers — it’s an experience that you won’t be able to find elsewhere. They’re refreshing and the experience is indicative of a leader who has mastered her practice, which gives me confidence that her instruction is as good as it gets.
The classes that I’ve attended have pros through beginners. It’s a wide range that accommodates any level of practice. Although, each person sweats as much as the next — it doesn’t look any easier for the professional then it does for me.
Most importantly, I am consistently a little outside of my comfort zone. It reinforces the practice, the city around us, and will let me feel that much better when I’ve gotten better at the poses.
If you’re nervous, that’s okay! There’s a community feel in the studio, it’s intimate and welcoming.

My favorite yoga studio in NYC! Discovered this hidden gem via Classpass, taken all 3 classes with Jen. She is a rockstar! There is no judgement here– she encourages all the students to do what feels good for them. If you can’t touch your toes, go for the ankles, shin, whatever works for you. The flow and energy in class is so uplifting, it leaves me wanting more. Almost wish the class would never end. Really really love the concept ‘deconstruct to reconstruct’, especially being a New Yorker the constant hustle and bustle. It’s the perfect setting to peel back the layers and reset. The space is lovely, loft, tasteful décor, beautifully lit. To all the yogis must try and you will fall in love with this unique nest.

I AM YOU Studio is the best yoga studio in nyc, regardless of what level you practice.
Lauren makes sure every person in the class gets individual attention and makes adjustments to make the class better fit your needs.
The music in this studio makes the class dynamic and fun. You will certainly never be bored in a yoga class here!
I would recommend this class to anyone and everyone!

From the NYTimes
[Lauren Imparato] she said. «As a lanky female, I shouldn’t play linebacker. If I am a linebacker, I’ll probably be dragging certain classes down.»
Basically, please don’t come if you are overweight.
Shouldn’t yoga/​fitness/​well-​being welcome everyone?

Awesome studio with a unique theme. I’ve never done yoga to rock music before. I did their Detox to Retox weekend with a variety of yoga and fitness classes and healthy food. It was a blast. Lauren, Jen and company bent over backwards to welcome and motivate us. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is that their style is really not for beginners or anyone out of shape. I kept up because I’m in good shape, flexible, former dancer, but a beginner could do damage or leave feeling discouraged. It’s not that they don’t correct you or ignore you, they are very hands on and efficient. In fact, I’m not even sure how Jen got to so many people in an hour, it was impressive. This is the studio you check out after you’ve mastered the basics. I have to add that the comments here with regards to I Am You being cult-​like are completely asinine. Prepare to sweat, it rocks!

I am surprised to see such a high rating and glowing reviews! Worst class I’ve ever taken! Terrible sequencing and unsafe adjustments! After reading the reviews on here I was so excited to try this place! They must all be from friends because this place was a joke! My friend was in a twist and the instructor came over and twisted her further, so unsafe! Not to mention how annoying and self absorbed the instructor is, she clearly thinks she’s pretty awesome and spent 10 mins talking about it in a class that already started late. Thank God I went on class pass and didn’t have to pay for that nonsense!

I have a slight addiction to trying new yoga studios around the city. I’ve known about I.AM.YOU for a while and was a bit intimidated by the website and reviews, thinking it would be cult-​like and strange.
Welp, I was wrong. This yoga IS challenging, but it’s also accessible! I’ve taken two classes with Jen via ClassPass and have really enjoyed both. It’s «power vinyasa flow,» meaning a lot of sun salutations, and the sequence builds on itself pretty quickly.
We start with some mindful meditation (scanning your body and focusing on breath), which is a really great way to transition from work to class. She throws in some more advanced poses but encourages modification or a child’s pose and usually ends with a heart-​opener/​back bending sequence. Lots of great, hands-​on adjustments throughout class.
The loft is an experience in itself. Beautiful exposed brick, modern furniture, graffiti paintings, David Bowie on the wall, and other little touches that make it a gorgeous place to practice yoga. It can be tricky to find. Be sure to use the freight elevator instead of buzzing.
Mats, blocks, towels are provided. Just show up with an open mind!
My only complaint is that the music can be distracting. Lil Jon came on and I was having a hard time concentrating on the poses. I think it’s a mixed bag depending on the playlist that day.
Will definitely be back!

It’s kind of hard to speak of the experience having only been there once. I tried an Athletic Vinyasa class through FITiST because I’m always looking for the most effective, torturous workouts out there. I thought I should balance that out with some relaxation and zen moments.
I Am You feels a little cultish (as you can probably tell from the name). Cultish is not bad. Cultish can be good. If you’re outside the cult though, you can feel a little ignored and overlooked. I think this is truly both an exercise of the body and soul (whoa, deep stuff!). The studio is beautiful and clean. When the light is dimmed, you are left alone with your thoughts, faintly spoken instructions, and… Techno music!!! Didn’t think the three would go together, but they did mesh okay. Your eyes will adjust to the soft flickering light from the candles and your mind will let go of its neurotic New York ways with the relaxing scent of lavender in the air. Toto, we are not in New York anymore! However… It’s a confusing experience. Your mind is relaxing while at the same time pushing itself to the limits trying to contort your body into these challenging yoga positions at cheetah-​like speed, agility and grace.
It seems that most people there are all regulars. I didn’t know what I was doing half the time (if not most of the time), so I can’t say that it was an effective workout although I was definitely struggling. At the speed that things were happening, there wasn’t much instruction to be given anyway. We didn’t hold any pose long enough for corrections to be made. There’s only one changing room/​bathroom, so prepare to change and shower at home.
Staff/​instructor seemed deeply passionate about it but not overly welcoming. We were a little late to the class and I appreciate that they were laxed enough to still let us come in. Maybe I’ll try again once I’m a bit more versed in my yoga poses.

This place is fascinating. It’s a yoga studio in a personal loft.
I had some troubles with trying to get into the studio (since it’s so underground it’s actually in Lauren Imparato’s huge beautiful loft apartment in Little Italy). The elevator door which opens to the street was locked and when someone finally had the ability to get in (you’re not supposed to ring the buzzer, do not disturb the yogis), I couldn’t get to the floor because the door was locked. Anyway, you’re supposed to arrive only 10 minutes before class (I didn’t know this… oops) so you can get in, the elevator to the 6^th floor gets unlocked then. So only go 10 minutes before, don’t wait around Little Italy looking around at pizza slices that you shouldn’t eat before going to a yoga class. Don’t do what I did. And regretfully eat a pizza slice because it’s in a little classic pizza shop and it’s only $ 1.
On another note (we’re not discussing pizza here), the class: it kicks your butt. We did this interesting side stretch flow numerous times that really was tough and coordinated. Don’t bother bringing a mat or towel, they are included in the (reasonable) $ 25 price for the 1 hour-​long class. I missed my Lululemon The Mat and I was slipping a little and it threw me off but I’m sure when I come back I’ll get more used to the mat. I have to say, I felt pretty damn cool in this yoga class, it was such a rare experience. I’m a newcomer to NYC so really anything that’s semi-​chic is cool but this really is awesome (she has gigantic graffiti-​like paintings all over the place and it’s very dark). It says online the class is okay for beginners, but honestly Lauren uses a lot of the Sanskrit words and you’d be confused as hell if you didn’t know the terminology because things are moving very fast.
It’s definitely a power-​flow vinyasa style class. I wouldn’t mind if the room was a little hotter, but this was really freakin’ cool. Since it’s a personal apartment I guess it makes sense that the room can’t be heated to 100 degrees. Thanks Unilocal and Well & Good NYC for letting me know about this little gem of a yoga studio in Little Italy! I will absolutely come back for another class.
Lauren also does amazing things like host HUGE public yoga events throughout Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, etc.) I found this out and became immediately intrigued. As a former Spain dweller, I can only imagine how incredible it must have been to flow and power through some strengthening and calming poses in the middle of Plaza Mayor.
If you are a yogi and want to try something different, get your toned butt over to I.AM.YOU yoga!