Skip the Party, Go to Yoga, and Other Healthy Ways to Ring in the New Year

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Yoga and fitness studios all over New York are hosting healthy alternatives to cork-popping revelry—and the lazy, bloated, hung-over day that follows.

new yearsIf you're tired of the cork-popping and horn-blowing that comes with a traditional New Year's Eve (and the lazy, bloated, headache-filled day that follows), don't worry: Yoga and fitness studios all over town are offering up healthy alternatives to drunken revelry.

More good news: None of them comes close to costing what the Meatpacking clubs and city restaurants will want from your wallet. In fact, even a few are free.

Here are some fabulous ways you can ring in the new year on healthy, positive note.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

New Year's Evolution at Pure East
Kay Kay Clivio helps you plant the seeds of intention for the year ahead through vinyasa mixed with guided writing exercises and meditation. 1:00 p.m., $35 for members, $40 for non-members, www.pureyoga.com

Workin' It Out with Patricia Moreno: 2012 Train to be the Change!
Chant (and sweat) your way to a positive resolution with the founder of IntenSati at the 19th Street Equinox (non-members welcome). If there's a time of year perfect for affirmations, this is it. 2:00 pm, $35, www.satilife.com

Intensati
Sweat and chant your intentions for the new year with Patricia Moreno

Jivamukti Yoga School 23rd Annual New Year's Eve Celebration
Sharon Gannon and David Life's annual yogic party involves a class co-taught by them, a vegan dinner, a kirtan dance party, and three hours of silent reflection leading up to midnight. After the ball drops, chanting will ensue. 5:00 p.m.–midnight, $95 for yoga class and dinner. Kirtan and silent reflection are free, www.jivamuktiyoga.com

Camel at Midnight at Sacred
Heat up your new year in a literal way. Sacred in Brooklyn is offering a hot yoga class starting at 10:45 that flows right into 2012. (We think the event is named for the pose, but we can't be sure...) Bonus: You can submit songs you want to hear in advance, and on-site childcare is available for just $5 per kid. 10:45 p.m., $25, www.sacredbrooklyn.com

Kirtan with Bhagavan Das at Laughing Lotus
Lotus is hosting the legendary chant master, who's leading their New Year's Kirtan. Go early to precede the party with a "Yoga Jam" class with Mary Dana Abbott. 10:00 p.m., $50 in advance, $60 at the door, www.laughinglotus.com

NEW YEAR'S DAY

New Year's Mala at YogaWorks Soho
Flow through 108 sun salutations with YogaWorks' Alex Schatzberg. After making it to the end, you'll feel like there's nothing you can't accomplish in 2012. (Bonus: YogaWorks' regular classes at the Soho and Westside locations will be free and open to the public all day). Noon, $35 in advance, $45 at the door, www.yogaworks.com

Carlos Rodriguez
Carlos Rodriguez is one of the many teachers you can take a free class with at Sangha

Sangha House Grand Opening Celebration
The brand-new studio is celebrating its opening by offering free 20-minute classes, some of which are with big-name teachers like Carlos Rodriguez. You'll also enjoy 10-minute chair massages, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, and discounts on class packs. 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., www.sanghahousenyc.com

New Year's Day at Bija Yoga
Set your intention for 2012 with a detox vinyasa flow and grounding meditation at Union Square's newest studio, led by Veronica Perretti and Lisa Kazmer. Fresh green juice and digestive herbal tea will be on hand. Noon, $12, www.bijayoganyc.com

JCC Annual Fitness for EveryBODY Fair
All day long this uptown fitness center is hosting free classes like yoga, MELT, cardio boot camp, Krav Maga, dance, and more. Bonus offerings: Services like mini massage, healthy living seminars, and other wellness programs. 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m., free, www.jccmanhattan.org/newyears

Cross-Over Class at Yoga Union
Alison West (AKA alignment genius) will co-teach a deep, rejuvenating practice with Steven Cheng at her new Flatiron studio, followed by snacks and an "oldie" film, which you can watch while sprawled out on blankets and bolsters. 3:00 p.m., $25, www.yogaunion.com

Open House at Crunch (all of them!)
Want to try a funky fitness class or just hit the treadmill for a few? Crunch locations throughout the city will be free and open to the public all day long. www.crunch.com

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