Still Mind Zendo
Still Mind Zendo logo

Still Mind Zendo

About

Still Mind Zendo is a serene and welcoming yoga and meditation studio nestled in the heart of Chelsea, on the third floor of a building along West 15th Street in New York City. With a strong reputation reflected in its excellent community ratings, this studio has become a cherished space for practitioners seeking stillness, clarity, and mindful movement in the midst of a busy urban life.

The studio draws inspiration from Zen traditions, weaving together the physical discipline of yoga with the contemplative depth of meditation practice. Whether someone is stepping onto the mat for the first time or deepening a long-standing practice, Still Mind Zendo creates an environment where every individual feels supported and seen. The atmosphere is intentionally calm and unhurried, offering a genuine refuge from the pace of New York City living.

Classes at Still Mind Zendo are thoughtfully designed to nurture both body and mind, encouraging students to cultivate presence and inner awareness alongside physical strength and flexibility. The studio's instructors bring warmth, knowledge, and genuine care to every session, fostering a tight-knit community built on mutual encouragement and shared growth.

For anyone in the New York area looking for a studio that honors the full spirit of yoga — not just the physical postures but the deeper journey inward — Still Mind Zendo stands out as a truly meaningful place to practice, reflect, and find balance.

Modalities & Practices

Reviews

Google
★★★★★4.7(16)
P
Patrick LaForge
★★★★★

Zen is not what you think it is. And not all Zen centers are the same. You will find that this small community of dedicated meditators is friendly, warm and welcoming to newcomers. Still Mind and its teachers are part of the White Plum lineage of Taizan Maezumi and Bernie Glassman. The community includes New Yorkers of all types from all walks of life. The style is relaxed, straightforward shirtsleeves Zen for the layperson, with regular sittings on Tuesday (with a talk) and Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings (Check the website schedule to be sure; other groups rent the space at other times).There are also longer silent retreats throughout the year. For a newcomer, it is best to come on Thursday nights for a shorter, more comfortable experience. Wear loose-fitting clothes with no words or logos. Some Thursdays feature a helpful Introduction to Zen (register on the site), where you can ask questions of a teacher about posture and technique. Put your phone in airplane mode, and disconnect from the busy bustle of the city. It might just change your life.

C
Carrie Wasser
★★★★★

Very friendly teachers who are skilled at presenting Zen in an accessible, meaningful way. The members are quite welcoming, too. You will feel at home!

G
Gabriel Rumbaut
★★★★★

This is a fantastic zendo with amazing, kind people. I attend the weekly sittings, and I have grown so much!

N
Nikhil Mehrotra
★★★★★

The weekly Sahaj yoga meditation meeting with as amazing

Events

Events

10 events
Week retreat (sesshin)RETREAT

Week retreat (sesshin)

Commit to an intensive week-long sesshin for transformative Zen practice and deep meditation. This e...

New York, NY

All-day retreat (zazenkai)RETREAT

All-day retreat (zazenkai)

Dive into a full day of silent Zen practice at Still Mind Zendo in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood....

New York, NY

Weekend silence-in-the-cityRETREAT

Weekend silence-in-the-city

Experience deep Zen practice while staying rooted in your New York City life with this unique weeken...

New York, NY

Weekend silent retreat (sesshin)RETREAT

Weekend silent retreat (sesshin)

Unplug for an intensive weekend sesshin at Still Mind Zendo, where silence and sustained zazen pract...

New York, NY

Thursday night circle discussionCLASS

Thursday night circle discussion

Join an intimate Thursday evening circle discussion at Still Mind Zendo to explore Zen teachings in ...

New York, NY

AngoRETREAT

Ango

Join Still Mind Zendo's intensive three-month practice period (ango) for committed practitioners rea...

New York, NY

RohatsuRETREAT

Rohatsu

Celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment with Rohatsu, Still Mind Zendo's intensive December sesshin com...

New York, NY

Focusing workshopWORKSHOP

Focusing workshop

Explore the body-based mindfulness practice of Focusing at Still Mind Zendo's workshop. This complem...

New York, NY

JukaiCLASS

Jukai

Take the formal vows of a Zen practitioner through Jukai, Still Mind Zendo's ceremony marking your c...

New York, NY

Intro to ZenCLASS

Intro to Zen

New to Zen meditation? Still Mind Zendo's Intro to Zen class demystifies zazen practice and Buddhist...

New York, NY