Bikram Yoga Harlem

Great place to relax and do yoga. Wonderful instructor.

Just to make clear the reason for the 1 star rating. The instructors and classes were excellent, but I have some serious health concerns with the building. Until those are managed there is no way to rate this location above a 1 star.
The first day I walked up the stairs the smell was so pungent and awful that I almost went home right away. However, the people were pleasant, so I tried a week out. The reason for the smell wasn’t just your typical yoga sweat, the floor for the Yoga practice was carpeted which was completely disgusting. During floor positions I nearly lost it. Again, the instructors were great, but the experience was hard to manage with the mold and sweat smell.
After 5 sessions I developed a throat infection and have decided not to go back until the carpet situation is fixed. It’s a shame because I like the instructors, but I believe it to be completely unsanitary, even if they spray the floors a bit between sessions and have humidifiers. Carpet is a breeding ground for toxic molds and bacteria.

I agree with some of the other reviews, when you first walk into the studio there is a strong feet smell. I think it might be coming from the mat they have as floors in the studio. (Wish it was hardwood floors instead) However, I forgot all about the smell during the class because of how intense it was. I drench my entire shirt and two towels. I highly recommend trying out a class here.

Love the community here. Could do without carpeting in the practice room…

It’s a great experience, all instructors in this studio are friendly and engaging. I visited about 5 studios after finding bikram yoga and I can finally say I have found my bikram home. Thanks guys!

This place has awesome instructors especially for newbies. I would love to visit here DAILY as I feel amazing when I’m done but the smell is awful. I’m giving it a mere 3 just for this reason. The smell is unlike any other bikram studio I’ve been too. I hope management sees this review as I’d love it if this were resolved.

Love this place– came feeling sluggish & under the weather left feeling amazingggg! Sweat it all out I could do cart wheels I felt so good. Will be back soon!

My vinyasa training required me to take yoga classes from other lineages as a learning experience. I wanted to also broaden my mind and have a frame of reference when teaching others who have a Bikram practice.
The teacher of the class was fab and asked if there were any first time students. I raised my hand and she remembered me in the large class. She made sure to come by and give me needed adjustments. Since I practice vinyasa, my training in alignment did not always transfer over to Bikram so her adjustments and energetic explainations here helpful. There is a close yoga community at Bikram Harlem. It seems as if the teacher is very familiar with her students and their individual practices. During class she would physically and verbally adjust each student according to what they were working on.
There is very little meditation and talking at all times seems to be A-​OK. While I like a fun class, the endless chatter is a bit much. It’s very very hot so perhaps the teacher keeps the chat going to keep the students from running away! lol. There is a heavy reliance on the mirrors as a teaching tool which isn’t very helpful in developing proprioception. Also, savasana is optional. These are personal opinions of mine, people obviously love it and find the practice helpful.
My concrete negative is the intense heat. I know, I know. That’s the point of Bikram. But really?! lol.
TL:DR, This studio runs a tight ship. The teacher I had was very attentive, has a dynamic personality and a great eye for alignment. Bikram isn’t for me but at least I left knowing I took a quality class.
NEWBIES: Bring plenty of ICE COLD water and a change of clothes.

I was apprehensive about Bikram after my past experience at a certain studio in Bklyn where the stench and heat was enough to dissuade a newbie, ad nauseum. I’ve managed to convince myself to give Bikram another shot. Consequently, I asked myself why I haven’t done this sooner! The best $ 20 I spent in a long time (first timer rate for unlimited Bikram for 7 days and also the normal drop in rate for 1 class).
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about weight lifting and pole class, but I like to throw something different in the mix now and again. After all, variety is the key to life, while that in itself is no predicate for success (whether your goal is to get stronger or improve health), practicing yoga adds a unique benefit that is unlike other practice. Hopefully you’ll discover this yourself!
Yoga does magic for your flexibility, the poses not only aides in strengthening your core whilst improving cardio and circulatory health, the heat with temperatures reaching up to 105 degrees certainly adds for a challenging session.
Check your egos at the door, because it’s all about focusing your energy to the task at hand! It’s go time, and it’s all about you for the next uninterrupted 90 minutes of fun.
The yogis at Harlem Bikram know how to keep the class engaged, giving each student the individual attention they need, and will on certain occasion help bring out that smile, giggle, chuckle, or laugh.
Honorable mentions:
This studio is very clean! The locker room is small but this location has the necessary amenities such as lockers and a few showers (necc’y post yoga).
There are some mats and Bikram gear for sale (picked up some adorable onzie shorts) which is convenient in case you are without gear. There is also the option to rent mats and towels.
Be sure to check out their site as they have early bird and donation based classes, special monthly events, and student discounts.
Harlem Bikram Yoga I heart you! You’ve turned me on to Bikram, and I just can’t stop.
Namaste!

Bikram Yoga Harlem… An absolute gem, a diamond in the literal rough. This is truly a great find for those looking for a healthy, fulfilling way to work their ENTIRE body aside from mindlessly lifting heavy objects and grunting loudly.
You will, however, be grunting plenty here. And groaning. And begging for mercy from the sadistic, torturous instructors that make slow agonizing death seem like a holiday. (Okay, I’m greatly exaggerating.) The instructors are fantastic and really encourage you to go at your own pace, while simultaneously pushing you to go beyond your limits.
The fact that this place happens to be literally around the corner from me is fantastic. I also love how loving and encouraging the instructors are.
Shout out to the mega fabulous Angela! I have never both absolutely loved, and absolutely hated anyone so much at the same time before in my life.

I really like the studio and the instructors. I’ll definitely make it a habit of going there. The only slight downside is that the class was ridiculously crowded — it would be nice if they could limit the number of participants a tad…

I really wanted to like this place, it’s close to where I live and has a great vibe. I bought the 30 day unlimited special and was hoping to go more often, but I was dreading the smell so much I needed to muster up a whole lot of determination to force myself to go. I was hoping to get used to the smell, but three sessions was as much as I could take. Same for two of my friends who bought the same deal but just could not return to deal with the stench.
The carpet smells of months and years of feet, sweat and mould. It’s difficult to breathe in yoga when you hold your breath the moment you enter the studio and can’t inhale too deeply to avoid nauseating yourself too much. I’ve had to stop myself from retching when I’m closer to the floor in the second half of the session. I cringe when I have to stick my arms out and touch the carpet in some poses — the carpet is wet from sweat from previous classes.
Other than the smell, the people there are great. Friendly and encouraging instructors who make it a point to know everyone by name. They also let you store your yoga mat there which is super convenient for me. But the only way I will return is if they replace/​remove the carpet and wash it regularly.

Use to be a Bikram junkie and then got over the same postures so took a year or so break. Went to the Friday night music class for only 10 bucks and it was a amazing experience. Donny the teacher had so much joy and energy it made me really let go and get into it. The entire class at one point even busted out in a sing along. The showers are nice and they give you one towel to use, so great for after your shower. Happy there is this space in the area! :)

I think the last time I got in some of these poses I was in jail, but that’s another review and thankfully years before Unilocal.
It was my first time doing bikram yoga, or any type of yoga as a matter of fact. Unless you count a girl named Yoga whom I dated in Cali. Not saying I ‘did’ her or not, that is another review, but poses were often had on dirty mats in her apartment in Venice.
I liked this place. The staff was really cool, sweet, although the instructor kept getting my name wrong. She kept saying, «Scott, bring your elbows in» and of course I had no idea who she was talking to because my name is Justin. Finally I said in half a tortoise pose or giraffe stance (well actually I probably looked like a octopus with cerebral palsy, but hey, it was my first day), «Not sure who Scott is, but I’m sure he’s great at yoga, but I’ll be happy to get some help», said with waterfall sweat rolling over my lips.
The session was bueno. Great workout and the instructor was very knowledgeable and did one thing I really liked: she watched and didn’t do yoga herself. I think this is beneficial to new-​comers or people who want to work on technique. It really helped to have her guide, watch, and direct instead of do yoga herself, because you can’t instruct AND provide tutelage… we do one thing at a time.
I had to go to Jersey the day before, I was feeling yucky because of it, luckily during this session I sweated it all out and I felt like a New York’er again:) Some of the poses I had struggles with, but it was my first time, so I was happy to stand on one foot. The instructor said I did great, but maybe she was talking about Scott… who knows, but I had fun.
Great spot, I’m very supportive of Harlem, and I joined the 30 day new membership for $ 30. Good gig, good times, good vibrations man.

Sharon is amazing! My first Bikram and I loved it! She is very calm, descriptive, and made the experience one to be repeated again while in NYC! This place is great!!!

Out of all the yoga Bikram studios I’ve gone to this one is the best. the staff is good the studio is nice, the light is good everything just seems good here every time I go somewhere else I feel like something is missing or out of place — definitely the best Bikram spot in Manhattan.

I practiced hot yoga all of last year, and since moving to Harlem I had taken a break. I decided to try Harlem Bikram because of the location. I love hot yoga and I think the benefits of the practice are very evident. However, as many people have said, the studio reeks I think because they have carpets (gross) which hold so much bacteria, it literally smells like nasty feet and mold.
Aside from the smell, which nauseated me and interfered with my ability to calm down and de-​stress, I find the classes rigid and painful. They adhere very strictly to their method, and there’s almost no variation class to class. The instructors frequently say «it’s supposed to hurt» which I’ve NEVER heard in a yoga class. In fact if it hurts you’re doing it wrong. They also encourage the class to let their head fall completely back, pinching the nerves in the neck multiple times throughout class. In addition the instructors don’t fully explain the possible dangers of supta vajrasana, instead saying, «yes it should hurt» again, when in reality this pose can seriously injure your knees if done even slightly wrong.
I’ve also never been to a yoga class where everyone is instructed to do toe-​stand, usually everyone does tree, and if toe-​stand is in your practice you may do it on the second round. In my first class here I was expected to do toe-​stand with little to no explanation of what to do or whether I was doing it correctly.
Finally, maybe I’m the only one who finds this annoying, but during the floor sequence we have to return to shabasana after every pose, it’s so rushed and unnecessary and NOT relaxing, most classes go to child’s pose for a brief breath or just sit for a moment, I find this lying down, sitting up thing very annoying and the opposite of relaxing.
Maybe it’s the instructors I’ve had so far (3 different ones) or maybe I’m spoiled by a great studio back in Virginia, but the only positive I have for this studio is location.

I really like it here.
Being new to yoga altogether and looking to increase my flexibility, my colleague invited me to try BYH and I’m hooked!
Staff is extremely friendly. Just chill folks who don’t pressure you.
Clean facility, adorable mascot and great class schedule.
If you’re apprehensive, try one of the many deals they run both out of the shop or online.
I took one star off because as others have already pointed out — it stinks for no darn reason in here. Like really, really smells. I always have to wash my hair and everything I come into the studio with as soon as I get home.

Woop!!!
Gimme that HEAT!
i recently started Bikram… and i am hooked. This spot is so damn convenient for me, close to home, close to the train… but let’s talk about what really matters.
the studio– yes its kinda smelly, but honestly, so are you after like 5 minutes in that room, so personally the smell doesn’t bother me enough to complain about. Its still a very clean room!
the teachers! LOVE THEM! helpful, friendly, funny, honest, diverse. I love that they take the time to learn names and really help you achieve the best position you can, they encourage all throughout the class, just awesome all around.
changing room– very clean, kinda small, 2 showers, but i’m never in there long enough to care– change and leave that’s all i need (i live too close to shower, i might as well bring my sweaty ass home ;))
overall, i love this place and the staff!

Definitely in love with Bikram yoga… absolutely love Adam as an instructor. Not too excited for Jon as he is not as engaging or instructional but maybe it’s just me. Either way I definitely recommend this place to newbies like myself and take advantage of the 1 week special for 1^st timers. It helps to experience the different instructors. So far this is the only place I have tried or wanted to try.
A great place to experience what it is all about in a easy to reach location. Will check in and update once I try other places out.