New Yoga Hotspot Brings Peace to East Hampton
Yoga Shanti, Exhale, KamadDeva—the Hamptons may occupy a small stretch of Long Island, but there’s certainly no shortage of yoga options. Now East Enders have a new and undeniably posh place to take their practice to the next level. POE (Peace on Earth) Yoga opened in East Hampton over Memorial Day Weekend bringing hot yoga—and some of the hottest instructors—to the East End yoga scene.
Founder Sunshine Daidone partnered with Gareth Evans to expand her vision to East Hampton after successfully opening her first studio in Far Hills, NJ early last year. “We created POE to offer a spa like haven for the yoga community,” said Daidone. “We live in a stressful world and want POE to be a place where people can slowdown, escape and learn to live in the present moment.”
The 2,200 square-foot studio features POE’s signature FAR Infrared Radiant heating and air purification systems and has all the perks of a clean, germ-free environment. “The FAR infrared radiant heat combined with us being the first to feature an air oxygen purification system ensures the healthiest way to practice hot yoga. Our heat feels as if you were in the natural sun and it’s been shown to help regenerate skin cells and detoxify the body,” explains Daidone.
The mother and entrepreneur went on to tell us that she has very high standards and expects a beautiful, serene, clean environment in the places she practices yoga. “Cleanliness, a high quality of product with style and natural ingredients and highly trained compassionate staff, are all part of our mission.” To enhance the spa like experience, POE stocks coconut water and smoothies from Mary’s Marvelous, and in an effort to decrease their carbon footprint, the studio has partnered with So Clear Beverages to create POE H20, spring water from Maine served in reusable glass bottles. A portion of the proceeds will benefit organizations bringing clean water to people in developing nations.
As for what you’ll need when heading in for your class, the studio has some mats on hand to borrow and a variety of mats for purchase along with Yogi Toes towels. Students should come to class with towel and water (water can also be purchased at the studio) and a change of clothes for after class.
POE has locked in some big names in the yoga community to teach, including Kiley Holliday. One of the most popular instructors at Manhattan’s luxe Pure Yoga, Holliday has been teaching out East for the past five summers. “I came to the Hamptons seeking refuge from the sweltering city and was fortunate enough to land a gig at a studio in Bridgehampton. I have been teaching privately and in a class setting every summer since,” says Holliday, adding, “I focus a lot on core work, which challenges everyone, as well as holding certain poses in the proper alignment with the intention of building strength and endurance.” She’s quick to point out, however, that her classes are appropriate for beginners and more advanced practitioners alike. “More advanced students with a strong inversion practice are invited to incorporate handstands into their flow and, of course, the heat adds a bit of spice for everyone. Having said that, I advise students to listen closely to their bodies, pause when they need respite, push harder when they see fit, and always give what they can give—no more, no less.”
In addition to a variety of hot classes, POE will be offering Stand-Up Paddle yoga this season at Main Beach and plans on offering teen and meditation classes in the fall and winter season. They will also introduce a collection of original products and apparel: POE Coconut Body Scrub, $24; POE Coconut Body Oil, $26; POE Body Om in Eucalyptus and Grapefruit Lavender, $26 and POE Mind Body Mat Spray in Grapefruit Lavender and Sweet Orange Lemon Grass, $18; women’s and men’s T-shirts, tanks, dresses, yoga pants and sweatshirts, ranging from $25 to $55.
POE Yoga, 3 Railroad Avenue, East Hampton, 908-672-1015. Classes run from 60 to 75 minutes and start at $35.