NYC Wellness favorites

Written By Lena Finucane

After 6 and a half years living in NYC, I’ve found routines that I need for myself to help me stay centered in this busy city. It’s funny when I look back at the person I was when I first moved here and who I am today. The same and also so, so different. I’ve always had the spiritual, yogi side to me but I was the girl who said yes to every possible party, so excited for every date; going anywhere in the city for them, not feeling pressure on any sort of timeline in life but also not centered at all. I would wake up hungover most weekends, go to a hot yoga class in the morning and attempt to balance it all out. I was just so happy to be living in New York, my dream ever since I was young.

Years later, I still have a deep love for New York but I notice the stress of the city way more. I know myself better than ever though so I definitely don’t say yes to every party or date anymore if I don’t feel like it, I love nothing more than a relaxing weekend either with close friends or taking time for some extra self care, and I know how important it is for me to leave the city to travel to balance it all out.

My daily meditation practice has also helped me listen to my intuition and lean into what makes me feel my best. How we take care of ourselves helps us to show up not only for ourselves but also for those around us.

So when I am in the city for a weekend these are some of my favorite places and recs if you want a little “NYC wellness retreat”:

Restaurants:

  • abcV (Vegetarian option of the abc kitchen restaurants)

    • The California Dates, Dosa, and Cauliflower are my absolute favorites!

  • Planta Queen (Amazing vegan sushi)

  • Pura Vida Miami (Love the açaí bowls and Superfood smoothies)

  • Le Botaniste (Plant based)

    • Vegetable Tajine with added tofu is my go to!

  • Modern Bagel (all gf!)

    • Super seed bagel with tofu cream cheese and salmon

  • Spring Cafe Aspen

    • Sabrina’s Spring Salad is a must

  • Double Zero for some plant based pizza!

  • Van Leeuwen for dairy free ice cream!

  • And can’t forget the neighborhood diner: EJs

Workouts

  • The Class by Taryn Toomey in Tribeca

    • A workout that’s very hard to explain but let me try - the best spiritual workout in a hot room mixed with down dog, burpees, and music that just taps into your heart space; Where I go when I need to let go through movement

    • They also have a great app if you want an at home option!

  • Yoga:

    • Modo Yoga in the West Village (LOVE)

    • Bode Yoga on the Upper East Side (especially Katie’s sculpt class)

    • CorePower Yoga

    • Y7 for some dark, candlelit hip- hop yoga

    • Equinox at the W 76th street location

  • Soulcycle:

    • Die hard fan of Stacey Griffith at E 83rd Street

      • Her class is also hard to describe how good it is but basically therapy mixed with club vibes

    • Cameron or Anthony Winters (T Swift Class) are other great options

  • And Rumble Boxing when you reallyyy need to let that stress out

Facials

  • HeyDay (best facial I’ve had in the city and they have really good deals sometimes)

  • GlowBar (best price for a quick, maintenance facial)

Massage and Acupuncture

  • Massage: J &H Body Work on E 77th street

    • Absolutely nothing fancy, but either $30 for 30 minutes or $60 for 60 minutes and that massage will work out all the knots and pain you’re holding in your physical body

  • Acupuncture: OraSpace either on the UES or in Noho

    • My biweekly sessions with Kona have truly helped me (and my hormones!) so so much

Sauna/Cold Plunge Places:

  • Othership in Flatiron

    • These sessions with a mix of the sauna/cold plunge really helps me recenter every week. And an amazing community.

  • Aire Bathhouse

    • Pricey but the most zen vibes ever. Perfect for a solo evening away from everything or a date night.

  • Bathhouse in Flatiron

    • Fun spot to go with friends or a date but not as zen

And last but not least, Podcast recs for those long NYC walks that are so good for the soul

  • MelissaWoodHealth

  • Love Life with Matthew Hussey

  • On Purpose with Jay Shetty

  • The Mel Robbins Podcast

  • Jillian On Love

  • We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle

So those are some of my go to spots for now when I know I need a weekend to recenter after a long week. I mix it up dependent on what I need for myself and always try to include some time in Central Park for that healing nature.

Namaste.

Lena Finucane
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