Morning Yoga Blues
So Brooklyn Yoga finally canceled its 7:30 a.m. classes, which makes me sad because I loved those classes. The only other nearby early morning option I know of is Area Yoga, but they're currently not on my best list because I had a spa treatment there the other day, and the spa couldn't provide me a receipt for my insurance. Normally, I go to Cornerstone Healing (hands down the best massage in the neighborhood), but Cornerstone was booked, so I decided to try Area. Not the best massage I've ever gotten, though not the worst, but when I asked for a receipt, they claimed the only receipt they could possibly give me was a credit card receipt. So I asked, "You can't handwrite me a receipt on an invoice?" Nope. They don't have them. And they've never been asked for a receipt before, ever. I am the only crazy person who ever needed a receipt. Uhuh. Hard to believe that a company that owns no less than eight locations in Brooklyn can't scare up a receipt that someone needs for their insurance.
OK, now I've got that off my chest ... is their yoga any good?
UPDATE: The owner of Area contacted me and offered a printed, itemized receipt. She also offered several free yoga classes to make up for the inconvenience. I'll report back on the classes!
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That is wierd about the receipt... did you go to the Area on Smith street and ask there (rather than at the yoga studio where you got the massage?)
As for their yoga, I really really enjoy their classes. Although it's been a while since I did their open classes (since i've been doing the prenatal classes), the teachers there are great and the classes challenging. The biggest problem: they are packed. It will probably be a little shocking for you after being the only one at Brooklyn Yoga, so show up a little early to get a good spot. Having said that, I have never been to a morning class, and am refering to the after-work classes for those of us who can't roll out of bed earlier than absolutely necessary :)
does this mean the yoga fad is finally over? I'm sure an overpriced baby goods store will be moving down to that end of court street in no time.
I did speak to the people at the main Area on Smith (although I got the massage on Court) and they were less understanding than the check-in person on Court Street. That woman at least understood my need for a receipt and was sorry she couldn't provide one. The people on Smith acted as if I was from another planet.
>Hard to believe that a company that owns no less than eight locations in Brooklyn can't scare up a receipt that someone needs for their insurance.
Ugh, I swear if I see another "Area" storefront appear I am going to lose it -- they are like the Starbucks of yoga and overpriced baby gear!
I suggest that you write and tell them that if you don't get an itemized receipt that you will dispute the charge with your credit card company. Then, I should guess that (1) you will get a receipt, or (2) the charge will be removed from your bill, or (3) they will provide documentation to the credit card company that you received and paid for the service, a copy of which documentation can be provided to you by the credit card company for you to supply to your insurance company.
area has the BEST classes. Lesley teaches the 7:30 am and it has a cult following..she is an amazing teacher, just came back from India. Her classes are the most packed and most loved...but 7:30 is her baby and won't be as packed as the other classes...GOOD luck!
i went to a class at area for the first time with stephanie and swore i would never go back.
the place was so packed and shabby and noisy with an air conditioner hanging from the windown in january! and she was so irrating to me.
with all of these anecdotes, like maybe you'd rather be having brunch at cafe cubana. flex your pelvic floor muscles, those are the muscles that you use when you are looking for a starbucks after you had a latte. i do not want to think about starbucks while i'm doing yoga!
and then when we left she said make sure you sign in, i counted 28 people and only 23 signed in, that's how i get paid. just ridiculous!
and it was $16 for a single class.
Any other massage recommendations? How is the chi-gong place on smith and pacific? How about that home spa place on court and sackett?
Providence Day Spa on Atlantic has great masseurs. Also, I have been taking class from Stephanie for years (not at Area, I think it is too pretentious) and she is my absolute favorite teacher, and I am also a yoga instructor.
I take yoga classes at Yoga People on Remsen St and Court and I love the teachers there, they also have a Fantastic masseuse named Regine whom I've been seeing once a month - she really helps me with my bad back and high stress, I highly recommend her. She also does acupuncture but I've never tried it.
I haven't been to the place on Smith and Pacific yet but I used to get a great massage from a therapist at the Homespa who has since left - too bad because I am only 2 blocks away :(. The massage therapist at Yoga People really is amazing but I wish she was closer to me because I can't find the time to get to her as often as I'd like to - (she should move to the homespa) but like Justin I highly recommend her.
I would reccommend trying body by brooklyn. they'er out there in clinto hill. it's amazing how different it looks on the inside as compared to the outside. they offer a whole host of treatments. highly reccommended by my friends i've tried it and i must say they're a great local spot to just hang out all day.
For massage in Brooklyn Heights or downtown go to Zen Soul Spa - hands down. The new space at Yoga People at the new location on convenient-to- everything Montague Street is to-die-for! And with added new therapists you can get a great massage 7 days of the week! How sweet it is!
If you are ever visiting Williamsburg and in need of a massage, check out Massage Williamsburg, a new Holistic studio on N6th and Wythe www.massagewilliamsburg.com Warmly, Rachel Beider, LMT