Hatha Raja Yoga

Yoga is a classical science devoted to cultivating balance between body, mind, and spirit.

Through posture, breath, and meditation, yoga strengthens the body, clarifies the mind, and deepens awareness.

At New York City Yoga & Ayurveda, yoga is approached as a complete discipline rooted in the classical traditions of Hatha and Raja Yoga—a practice that develops physical stability, mental clarity, and spiritual insight.

Guided yoga practice is available in Williamsburg for students across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the greater New York City area.

Yoga Lineage

John’s yoga training began at the Houston Yoga & Ayurveda Ashram under Sharon Kapp, who studied directly under B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune, India.

This lineage emphasizes:

• precise structural alignment
• disciplined breathwork
• steadiness and stability in posture
• yoga as a path of lifelong development

John has been teaching yoga and practicing Ayurveda for over seven years, integrating classical training with therapeutic care designed for modern life in New York City.

This approach reflects the traditional understanding of yoga as a lifelong discipline of practice, study, and self-development.

Guided Yoga Practice

Guided practice sessions provide individualized instruction designed to help students cultivate a sustainable and disciplined yoga practice.

Rather than approaching yoga as a fitness class, practice sessions focus on developing a consistent personal practice that can continue independently.

Guided practice may include:

• posture and structural alignment
• flexibility and strength development
• breath awareness and pranayama
• meditative steadiness and concentration
• nervous system regulation
• development of a consistent home practice

Because yoga is offered within a clinic that integrates Ayurvedic medicine, practices may also be adapted according to constitution, lifestyle, and therapeutic goals.

Personal Practice Development

Classical yoga emphasizes the cultivation of a regular personal practice rather than occasional instruction.

For students seeking deeper development, a structured series of guided practice sessions provides the support necessary to build long-term discipline and consistency.

Investment

Guided Practice Session — $180

Personal Practice Development Program — $1800

12 guided practice sessions designed to establish and refine a consistent personal yoga practice.

Many students choose this program to build long-term discipline, improve posture and breath awareness, and develop a sustainable daily practice.

Meditation & Pranayama Training

Beyond physical posture, classical yoga includes internal practices that cultivate clarity of mind and steady attention.

Meditation and pranayama training introduce students to the deeper dimensions of yoga practice described in the Raja Yoga tradition.

Sessions may explore:

• foundational pranayama techniques
• breath awareness and regulation
• concentration practices (Dharana)
• meditation development (Dhyana)
• cultivating steadiness of mind and attention

These practices support nervous system regulation, mental clarity, and the gradual development of meditative awareness.

Investment

Guided Practice Session — $180

4-Session Meditation & Pranayama Training — $650

Yoga & Ayurvedic Medicine

Yoga and Ayurveda are traditionally practiced together as complementary sciences.

In this context, yoga functions not only as physical practice but also as a form of Ayurvedic yoga therapy, where posture, breath, and meditation are adapted to support the body’s natural balance.

Many clients integrate guided yoga practice alongside Ayurvedic consultation or therapies to support:

• nervous system regulation
• digestive health
• recovery from chronic stress
• improved daily rhythms and sleep

Practices may therefore be adapted according to constitution (dosha), lifestyle, and therapeutic goals, creating a personalized approach to yoga rooted in Ayurvedic principles.

Classical Yoga Study Series

For students interested in the philosophical and meditative foundations of yoga, New York City Yoga & Ayurveda periodically offers small group study programs exploring the classical teachings of yoga.

These programs combine discussion, guided practice, and reflection on traditional yoga texts.

Topics of study may include:

• the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• Vivekananda’s Raja Yoga
• classical Hatha Yoga texts such as the Shiva Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, and Goraksha Samhita
• teachings of the Dattatreya Yoga Shastra and early yogic traditions
• meditation and concentration practices
• pranayama foundations
• the eight limbs of yoga
• integrating yoga into daily life

These study series explore yoga not merely as physical exercise, but as a complete path of discipline, philosophy, and inner development.

Programs are offered periodically throughout the year in small groups to allow for focused discussion and guided practice.

Participants may join the mailing list to be notified when the next series opens.

Weekly Guided Practice

A weekly guided yoga practice is offered online for students seeking consistency in their personal practice.

Participation is offered on a donation basis.

Tuesday evenings — 5:30pm EST

Yoga Retreats

Periodically, New York City Yoga & Ayurveda offers retreat programs designed for deeper immersion in yoga practice and Ayurvedic lifestyle principles.

Retreats provide an opportunity to step away from the pace of daily life and experience yoga as a complete discipline.

Retreat programs may include:

• daily guided yoga practice
• meditation and pranayama sessions
• study of classical yoga teachings
• Ayurvedic lifestyle and daily routine guidance
• restorative practices for nervous system balance

Retreat locations and dates are announced periodically.

Participants may join the mailing list to receive retreat announcements.

The Aim of Yoga Practice

The aim of yoga is not simply flexibility or strength, but the cultivation of steadiness in body and mind.

Through consistent practice, students develop the foundations of concentration, meditation, and self-understanding described in the classical yoga tradition.

Over time, yoga becomes not merely a form of exercise, but a discipline that supports clarity, resilience, and inner stability in daily life.