Laughing Lotus Yoga NYC (permanently closed): a joyful space to move like yourself

A loving look back at the iconic New York yoga studio that blended soul, sass, and spiritual depth in every class.

The first time I walked into Laughing Lotus NYC, I didn’t feel like I was entering a yoga studio — it felt more like stepping into a living, breathing work of art. A place where spirit and sass danced together. The energy pulsed from the walls, the music hummed through the floorboards, and for a moment, it felt like the city outside had softened.

There was nothing conventional about it — not the space, not the people, and definitely not the practice. And that was the point. Laughing Lotus wasn’t trying to be a temple of silence. It was a celebration. Loud, colorful, unapologetically itself — and it made room for you to be too.

Though the doors have since closed, the memory of that space still lingers. It lingers in our bones, in our playlists, in the way we guide a class or roll out our mats. And if you ever experienced it — even just once — you probably know what I mean.

What it felt like to walk into Laughing Lotus NYC?

To say it was vibrant would be an understatement.

The moment you walked through the front door, Laughing Lotus greeted you like an old friend who just got back from Burning Man and a silent retreat — at the same time. Walls splashed with deities in street-art hues. A glitter bar. A dancing Ganesh. The scent of incense trailing through the air like a secret invitation.

Even the reception area felt sacred — not because it was quiet, but because it was alive. Laughter echoed, mats unrolled, and there was this beautiful chaos that made you feel oddly at peace. First-timers mingled with seasoned regulars. Everyone belonged.

In a city like New York, where it’s so easy to feel invisible, Laughing Lotus made you feel seen. And not just for your posture or your practice — but for your spirit. For showing up with all your stuff, all your shine, and being willing to move through it anyway.

What made Lotus Flow™ different (and special)

Lotus Flow™ wasn’t just a style — it was a feeling. A rhythm. A way of moving that invited people to connect more deeply with themselves, without needing to conform or perform.

Created by Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi, this signature style blended vinyasa with devotional intention, music, mudra, mythology, and pure heart. It didn’t ask you to be perfect. It asked you to be present — to move like yourself, to listen to your body, and to let go of the need to “get it right.”

Every class felt like a ritual. Breath met beat, and movement unfolded like storytelling. You might go from fierce warriors to a playful shimmy, then land in stillness, heart cracked open, wondering what just happened — in the best possible way. It was yoga, yes. But also dance. Also prayer. Also wild.

What truly set Lotus Flow™ apart was its emotional permission. You could laugh. Cry. Shake. Shout. Move through whatever you were holding and come out lighter, more whole. In a world that often asked for less — less emotion, less expression, less you — Lotus asked for more. And people gave it.

The teachers – Spirituality meets individuality

At Laughing Lotus NYC, the teachers weren’t just guides — they were artists. You never quite knew what you were going to get, and that was part of the magic. Some days it was fierce and fiery, other days soft and slow, but always — always — full of heart.

Every teacher brought their own flavor to the mat. Some leaned into dharma talks that hit you like poetry. Others chanted or played eclectic playlists that felt like a full-body experience. There was this beautiful thread of individuality running through every class, woven into the Lotus Flow™ fabric that held it all together.

What made them unforgettable wasn’t just the way they taught, but the way they showed up. Authentically. Imperfectly. With humor, honesty, and reverence. They didn’t pretend to have it all figured out — and somehow, that gave us permission to stop pretending, too.

Many of us didn’t just learn from them. We were changed by them.

Classes, offerings, and the schedule

Laughing Lotus was never just about the classes — it was about the experience. Every day brought something new to the schedule: Lotus Flow™, restorative yoga, chakra workshops, moon rituals, kirtan, teacher trainings, and sometimes… a dance party in the middle of it all.

Classes were rooted in movement but layered with intention, music, mythology, and play. The sequence flowed like water, shifting to meet the energy in the room. Breath and spirit led the way. And if you were lucky, a class might end with a group chant that gave you chills and tears — in the best way.

The studio also offered rich workshops and special events. Astrology yoga nights, goddess circles, Ayurveda intensives, and seasonal celebrations that brought the whole community together. It wasn’t just a schedule — it was a rhythm. A heartbeat.

For many of us, checking the Lotus schedule became a ritual in itself. A small daily joy. A compass..

Teacher training that stuck with you

Back when Laughing Lotus NYC was still open, its teacher training wasn’t just a certification program — it was a rite of passage.

Whether someone came in curious about deepening their personal practice or with a full-blown dream of becoming a teacher, they left changed. Not just more knowledgeable about asana or anatomy — but more whole. More connected. More themselves.

The 200-hour and 50-hour advanced trainings covered everything from vinyasa sequencing to hands-on assists, Ayurveda, chakras, yin, restorative, and even acro yoga. But it wasn’t just about content — it was about energy. About soul. About learning how to hold space the way Lotus teachers did — with heart, clarity, and full-bodied presence.

There was chanting. There were tears. There were long savasanas and louder-than-average om’s. And somehow, even in a packed city studio, there was always enough room for transformation.

For many of us, those trainings planted seeds that are still blooming — whether we went on to teach or not. It was never just about becoming a yoga teacher. It was about becoming more of who you really are.

Remembering the spirit of Laughing Lotus

Laughing Lotus NYC may have closed its physical doors, but for so many of us, it never really left.

It’s in the way we roll out our mats with intention. It’s in the playlist we build with a little more soul. It’s in how we hold space for our own imperfections — and for others’. And sometimes, it’s in that moment mid-flow when we hear a whisper of that old dharma talk, or a chant we didn’t even know we’d memorized.

The truth is, spaces like Laughing Lotus don’t just disappear. They imprint. They ripple. They stay with you long after the glitter’s been swept and the incense fades. If you practiced there, taught there, trained there — you carry it. And if you didn’t? Well, maybe you’re looking for something with that kind of wild honesty and joy. And maybe now, you’re inspired to create it for yourself — or find a studio that dares to feel like home.

So wherever you practice next, I hope you move like yourself. Loudly. Gently. Joyfully. And with just a little bit of glitter in your step.

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Still seeking that Lotus magic?

While Laughing Lotus NYC is no longer open, its energy and essence still ripple through the city’s yoga scene. If you’re looking for a space that offers soulful flows, spiritual connection, and that familiar spark of joy — you’re not alone.

Start your next chapter here: Exploring yoga studios in New York City — a guide to vibrant, heart-led spaces across the five boroughs.

Whether you’re new to the mat or continuing your path, there’s a community waiting to welcome you.

Key Takeaways

• Laughing Lotus Yoga NYC closed permanently in early 2020, but its energy continues to ripple through the yoga community.
  
  
• Its signature Lotus Flow™ style blended breath, beat, mantra, and mythology — creating a practice rooted in joyful movement and deep self-expression.
  
  
• Known for its inclusive, vibrant community and graffiti-covered walls, the studio became a spiritual home for free-thinkers and soul-seekers alike.
  
  
• Its teacher training programs inspired a generation of instructors, many of whom continue to teach Lotus Flow™ online and around the world.
  
  
• If you’re seeking that same spark in the city, check out our guide to yoga studios in New York City.
  
  
• And if you’re ever feeling stuck, remember what Lotus taught: you don’t have to move like anyone else. Just move like yourself.
  
  

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