lose the gym and think boutique. boutique yoga that is. sit in a crowded studio with 50 other gym-paying members - we think not. and you've already been to jivamukti. this fall check out some undiscovered yoga studios that allow you to practice your oojai breathing without breathing your neighbor.

tucked away in the east village, bhava yoga center's colorful tiles offer the perfect backdrop to a no-frills vinyasa routine. just pick up the phone to hear a detailed listing of the day's offerings.
638 e. 6th st. [212 254 1384].

if you're not ready to fork over the visa for a month of chanting, sample one of the sivananda's free open house classes. run solely by dedicated volunteers, this 40-year old institution housed in a serene chelsea brownstone is a favorite among spiritual types. 243 w. 24th st [212 255 4560].

so what if you don't know the difference between downward dog and child's pose? inside the west village's laughing lotus yoga center, you'll learn how to breathe and stretch from scratch with one of their signature basics classes. here you can also sign up for a relaxing new year's retreat to puerto morales, mexico and partake in on-site kirtan events. 55 christopher [212 414 2903].

the next time you're craning your neck for a half-priced edith wharton classic on the shelves at the strand, pop into the airy new yoga studios at om. beginning in november, om will offer an eclectic mix of meditation and poetry slams, in their spacious 4-studio digs on w. 12th street currently at
135 w. 14th st [212 229 0627] + 826 bway in 3 weeks.

no need to head to the Q on a saturday just for a yoga session. park slope yoga center teams with brooklynites in search of hatha and jivamukti. 792 union st [718 789 2288].

on the upper west wide, practice yoga offers more than just the basics. explore and try yogilates, a unique blend of hatha and pilates, or grab a partner for contract yoga to learn basic acrobatics.
140 w. 83rd st [212 724 4884].