Then talk to Erica Heinz, the founder of Yogoer.com.

In addition to the site's interactive map detailing what studios and classes are in your hood, there are also class reviews, teaching tips, and now an awesome iPhone app!

MindBodyGreen: How did you come up with the concept for Yogoer?

Erica Heinz: Yogoer came about because I was working full-time as a web designer, and often missed a class by 10 or 15 minutes. At small studios, the next one is 60 or 90 minutes later, so I'd think "There HAS to be another class around here somewhere" and start madly Googling. Finally, I wondered why there wasn't just a map of all the yoga studios in the city, so I built one.

MBG: Is there any particular music you like to listen to while practicing yoga?

EH: Positive, energetic yet relaxing beats with no words - e.g. Ratatat, Four Tet, Bibio. (I wrote a post on this: 5 Best Albums for Yoga Practice). There's something to be said for cranking poses to some cathartic tunes, Laughing Lotus style, but when I try to do that at home it turns into a karaoke or chillout session, I lose track of the poses. I like music to focus and calm my practice.

MBG: Do you have favorite yoga gear? What about a favorite Yoga mat?

EH: I'm pretty minimal, haven't tried a lot of brands. I'll splurge on Calvin Klein gear; it's simple and well-made. I also like ratty old cutoff gym pants where you can sit on asphalt or a dock and not worry about snags. My all-time favorite yoga mat is Jade's Travel Mat - it's real rubber, and really doesn't slip. I also have a superlight anonymous mat that's basically shelf paper. It fits in any bag.

MBG: What is your favorite pose?

EH: Revolved Bound Half Moon. You're hanging upside down on one foot, turned sideways - it's so disorienting it feels like you're not even touching the ground.

MBG: Are there any yoga studios in NYC that aren't well-known and we should all check out?

EH: There are so many! Just this week I went to Bamboomoves in Queens - right off the E train, it's great for all levels. The owner is like Dharma Mittra, Jr. They also have a studio in the terribly under-served Bronx. In Manhattan, I'm always surprised that Om Factory is not more well known -- beautiful space, beautiful people. If you're acrobatic / athletic, check out Kula Yoga and Sankalpah - very good teachers at both. And here in Williamsburg, I love Hip Joint for Iyengar. But these are just the places that have crossed my path, there are many studios I've never visited.

MBG: If you are new to yoga, what's the best style to start with?

EH: I think Bikram is great for beginners. There are only, and always, 26 poses, with a lot of alignment instruction, so you really learn the basics well. The mirrors help you see what you're actually doing. And the heat lets you work safely, until you learn how to fire it up yourself. Bikram was the first kind of yoga I practiced (besides a relaxation class in college), and it destroyed my image of what I could or couldn't do.

MBG: Biggest yoga pet peeve?

EH: This is kind of terrible, but I hate the word "Namaste." Apparently it really means "welcome," and it's been kind of misappropriated by the Western world as an end-of-class "I salute the spirit in you." But I guess you could say it's just gained another meaning.

MBG: Favorite place to eat in NYC?

EH: Caravan of Dreams! It's everything vegetarian food should be: crunchy creamy creative vegetables, instead of imitation meatloaf or fake turducken.

MBG: Favorite guilty indulgence?

EH: The raspberry rolled scones at The Rabbit Hole are the best pastries in the city. They are so fresh and delicious you can't even convince yourself they're bad for you. It's like a biscuit, scone, and danish in one -- if you're going to get your fix, get your fix.

For more on Erica and Yogoer:

Published 09.22.09 at 12:00 AM