Grain bowls, meditation centers, nontoxic nail salons, acupuncture for the face—New York City is fast becoming the capital of clean living, finally catching up to L.A. in the feel-good game. Prepare to elevate your experiences as well as your consciousness.
A Moment of Silence
Whether you’re looking for a brief quiet moment or a more ambitious attempt at enlightenment, these days there are plenty of places to unplug. Founded by a former fashion executive, Inscape, in the Flatiron district, resembles the inside of a cocoon and combines light and sound effects with a whiff of frankincense to help guide you through group meditation. MNDFL, meanwhile, organizes its 30- to 60-minute classes by theme, such as intention, energy, and sleep. It also hosts sessions for beginners. At the Woom Center, the yoga and meditation sessions feature a custom surround-sound system that emits pulsations meant to heighten your senses.
Look Good, Feel Good
For those seeking the next fitness fad, the city offers a full range of options, from aqua cycling to aerial ballet. If holding your warrior pose in the dark to the thumping beats of Jay-Z is your thing, there’s Y7 Studio, a wildly popular yoga center that now has five studios in the city. It’s also lights out at Current, where an intense, 45-minute rowing session is done by candlelight. Or check in to the raw space at Project by Equinox, an exercise lab of sorts. Here, trainers mix forward-thinking fitness movements in classes like Namaste Strong (a blend of core work and mental focus) and a fresh take on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits.
If you like a bit of star power with your power squats, there’s no shortage of celebrity trainers in the city. Nicole Winhoffer, the dance-cardio guru who counts Kate Hudson as a client, leads 55-minute all-over toning sessions at the Standard High Line. The Class by Taryn Toomey, which draws the likes of Naomi Watts and Christy Turlington Burns, combines challenging plyometric exercises with cathartic mantras that help release negative energy. And there’s no denying the bum-lifting benefits of the methods of Tracy Anderson. Her new dance-cardio studio in Midtown was established with her famously fit A-list client and business partner Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Skin Trade
It’s not all about abs, delts, and glutes—you can also tone above the neck. At FaceLove, aestheticians double as trainers who perform acupressure (kneading the cheeks, pressing the eyebrows) to strengthen and firm facial muscles. For a gentler approach, facialist Georgia Louise offers a trifecta of treatments: micro-current energy for sculpting, micro-needling to help peptide serums sink in deeply, and acupuncture. Another soothing option is the Custom Facial at Spa de La Mer—the only Stateside spa from the coveted La Mer skincare line—inside the Baccarat Hotel & Residences. The treatment includes the brand’s “miracle broth,” a blend of sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins. For organic products, Onda Beauty, in Tribeca, stocks hard-to-find lines like Saya and Willow Tree from Australia. The Lower East Side’s Chillhouse is a café cum organic nail salon that serves up Beet-Chata drinks with its manicures, which are done with nontoxic brands such as Floss Gloss and JINsoon.
Clean-Plate Club
Healthy eating has never been easier, as favorites like quinoa and kombucha make regular appearances at some of the city’s hippest restaurants. Chef Camille Becerra became an Instagram sensation last year with her colorful fermented-vegetable dragon bowls at various pop-up restaurants. The dish and others like it are now staples at her Nolita café, De Maria. At Brooklyn’s Avocaderia, the fruit shows up on more than just toast: There are avo burgers, salads, and smoothies. You can shop for healthy provisions—sweet-potato guacamole, collagen-blended coffee—at Greenwich Village’s Clover Grocery. Or order takeout from the sustainability-minded Nourish Kitchen Table, where the daily menu might include turmeric Persian tea eggs and harissa roast carrot tartines on sunflower spelt bread.
