Wellness Guide to New York City

We’ve officially taken our wellness mission to both sides of the continent! Our very first store in New York City opened its doors this week in the SoHo neighborhood. We couldn’t be more excited to share the healing power of plants with our newest Saje home. With our Grand Opening celebration happening in a New York minute (6/6/17, to be exact) we wanted to share some favorite wellness destinations in the Big Apple with you.

To help us celebrate, we’ve partnered with local NYC health and fitness enthusiast Sarah Koenig (@sarahekoenig) to share her go-to destinations to fuel, sweat and connect. They say this is the city that never sleeps, but armed with our favorite stress-relieving remedies and some insider knowledge, we’re hoping to change all that.

Read on to meet some of our new neighbors and discover all the spots that keep Sarah feeling her best in the bright lights of the big city.

“New York City is always bustling, always busy, and always loud – I will admit it! It’s not always the healthiest place (hello pollution, fried food carts, BAGELS), so if you want to make unhealthy decisions, there’s something around every corner. For me, it's all about living in balance. I’ll take a SoulCycle class, then sit on a rooftop with a glass of rose that evening.”

Sweat

SoulCycle
We love SoulCycle everywhere, but their SoHo location is conveniently located near our new store and is the perfect place for a high-intensity sweat in a high-powered city.

“SoulCycle is just necessary for living in such a go-go-go city! I always say that it’s my form of therapy, so I usually go 2-3 times a week. My favorite studio is in Union Square – it’s a 45 minute, amazing workout and you just feel so blissful after leaving. Try taking a class with Chelsea, Jera, Sydney, Trammell, or Alex!”

The Class by Taryn Toomey
A unique, full-body session deemed ‘a cathartic movement experience’, The Class by Taryn Toomey isn’t a singular studio – it started in NYC and designed specifically to help de-stress from a hectic lifestyle. Yelling is encouraged, crying is accepted and an emotional release is guaranteed.

“Spiritual – but an amazing workout, trust me. You won’t be able to walk the next day. You yell, jump, squat, sometimes even cry, and, of course, leave it all on your mat.”

MNDFL (Greenwich Village)
“A meditation studio led by in-person instructors who guide you through specific meditations – for focusing on everything from setting intentions to love and energy restoration.”

Rumble (Chelsea)
“If you need to work some stuff out while getting a killer workout, Rumble is perfect. It's an amazing sweat and you will feel incredible after punching a bag for an hour. It's a “bootcamp”-style workout, so half the time you're on the bag, and half the time you're lifting weights on the floor. It’s the best of both worlds!”

Catch your breath

Saje Breath
If there’s one thing New Yorkers can agree on, it’s that you can expect to do a lot of walking and enjoy a near-constant symphony of car horns filling the air. In a city where everyone is headed somewhere quickly (including you!), it’s important to take a moment to calm your energy and catch a breath. Trying reaching for our Stress Release Soothing Oil Blend, and get ready to feel renewed in the time it takes to breathe in and breath out! A Saje breath can shift your mind and body into a greater state of wellness whenever you need it, even in the middle of a SoHo traffic jam!

Watch a video of Saje Co-Founder Jean-Pierre LeBlanc demonstrating a Saje Breath.

Fuel up

By CHLOE
Grab-and-go vegan – like fashionable fast food that’s friendly to your body. Read: gluten-free guac burger with a black-bean-quinoa-sweet potato patty.

The Butcher’s Daughter
The world’s only self-professed ‘vegetable slaughterhouse,’ The Butcher’s Daughter is a beautiful restaurant and juice bar serving Instagram-ready, plant-based meals. The bohemian decor paired with the plant-based menu makes it our go-to retreat in the centre of the busy city!

“I’m obsessed with this place. Everything is healthy but still insanely delicious so you feel like you’re indulging. Their Avocado Toast Benedict will change your life.”

Hu Kitchen (Union Square) 
“All paleo, insanely healthy eats! No gluten, sugar, soy, or refined sugars – they don't even calculate nutrition facts for their meals because the ingredients are so clean. Try the ‘crack bar’! Try their amazing unsweetened matcha latte!”

Connect with nature

The Highline
Escape the crowded city streets and clear your mind with a stroll along this New York City landmark. A couple steps up from the streets of the West Side, the Highline is a nature and art-filled oasis, floating outdoors above all the hustle and bustle. A quick roll-on of Peppermint Halo Cooling & Soothing Oil Blend for the Head, and a few deep breaths might be all it takes to transport you out of the city.

Sheep’s Meadow in Central Park (Upper West Side)
“This is the first place everyone heads when the weather finally turns warm. Go for the feel-good vibes – especially on an unseasonably warm spring day. Don't forget a blanket and some rosé and get ready to relax away from the hustle and bustle.”

Hidden gem

HigherDOSE, The Alchemist Kitchen (East Village)
“Upstairs, you’ll find an apothecary and cafe where they sell food, drinks, adaptogens and more. Downstairs is the original infrared sauna, called HigherDOSE, where you can sweat it out for 30-60 minutes. There are so many health benefits to infrared saunas! After your session, head upstairs to refuel and rehydrate. This is my hidden gem because it is truly a one-stop wellness shop!”

Now that your wellness is topped up, don’t forget to make the last stop on your NYC itinerary a visit to our new store at 120 Prince Street in SoHo! Join us in celebrating all things wellness in the Big Apple at our Grand Opening Party, happening Tuesday, June 6. All are welcome to join in the fun and enjoy day-long discounts, plus an evening celebration from 5pm onwards.

For more information, click here.