#19: CorePower Yoga
For a long time I kept confusing CorePower with Orange Theory—probably because they’re both major workout class chains with orange logos. While I still don’t know what goes on in an Orange Theory class, CorePower has recently been demystified for me by my friend Kat, who teaches classes there and got me in for free, in what felt like true fitness influencer fashion. I didn’t even have to pay for yoga mat or towel rental.
The class was tiny—I was one of four at the 10:30 AM “C2” class in NoHo—which was likely partially due to the fact that it was a balmy 95 degrees and humid outside, nearly matching the 98-degree temperature inside the studio.
CorePower Yoga is very similar to Y7 Studio in its concept—hot yoga meets yuppie workout class—but does some key things right whereas I thought Y7 was a swing and a miss. The decor was simple and clean and spa-like, nondescript enough to be entirely inoffensive. The studio itself felt like a dance studio, with smooth shiny freshly-waxed wooden floors and a mirrored wall at the front of the room.
Kat began the class with some gentle stretches, setting an intention of curiosity and childlike wonder, which I loved—such a sweet way to approach moving your body. Of course, I’m heavily biased, but having gone to so many classes where the intention being set is a weird combo of pseudo-spiritual platitudes and thinly veiled body-dysmorphic language (“visualize your body tightening!”), it was refreshing to see her exercise creativity within the rigid guidelines of a corporatized workout, encouraging a sense of play.
We then did the same extended yoga flow three times, each time modified and lengthened to be a little harder, with poses adjusted to require either more strength or balance or flexibility with each successive attempt. I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected, inventive movement patterns—Kat’s experience teaching salsa, aerial silks, and even pole dancing came through.
Overall the class was fun and stretchy; not so difficult that I’d consider it for a high-effort day but not too easy that I’d write it off as a recovery day. The heat certainly contributed to the difficulty level too, rendering me positively dumping sweat onto my towel, while the other three women left the class looking gently dewy, like they had spritzed with an expensive facial spray. It’s a very specific kind of workout I’m not always in the mood for, but with Kat at the helm, I’d happily go back—even on a hot and humid New York summer day.